HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M IN LOVE?
Have you ever wondered if you really love the person you're dating?
The feelings can be a bit overwhelming in a dating relationship. Butterflies, nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea… how are you supposed to interpret all these feelings? Is there a “love feeling?”
Love is more about the doings than the feelings. But if you find yourself confused about your feelings …then look to St. John Paul II’s words of advice. He said:
“The greater the feeling of responsibility for the person the more true love there is.” 1
Here are some practical questions to ask yourself:
Have you taken on a sense of responsibility for your boyfriend/girlfriend's future well-being?
Do they go home a better person after spending time with you?
Can you see value in this person beyond their sexual attractiveness?
If you break up, can the next person they date honestly say to you, "Thank you for keeping my boyfriend/girlfriend safe during your relationship."?
Are you able to sacrifice your selfishness for them?
If you answered "yes" to the questions above, then chances are you're affections are rooted in love and not lust. Loving relationships require hard work and sacrifice. Marital relationships consist mostly of friendship, so be sure to get to know your date's heart through the formation of solid friendship. There is plenty of time to get to know your date's body after marriage.
Paul, John. Love and Responsibility. San Francisco: Ignatius, 1993. 131. Print.
Have you ever wondered if you really love the person you're dating?
The feelings can be a bit overwhelming in a dating relationship. Butterflies, nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea… how are you supposed to interpret all these feelings? Is there a “love feeling?”
Love is more about the doings than the feelings. But if you find yourself confused about your feelings …then look to St. John Paul II’s words of advice. He said:
“The greater the feeling of responsibility for the person the more true love there is.” 1
Here are some practical questions to ask yourself:
Have you taken on a sense of responsibility for your boyfriend/girlfriend's future well-being?
Do they go home a better person after spending time with you?
Can you see value in this person beyond their sexual attractiveness?
If you break up, can the next person they date honestly say to you, "Thank you for keeping my boyfriend/girlfriend safe during your relationship."?
Are you able to sacrifice your selfishness for them?
If you answered "yes" to the questions above, then chances are you're affections are rooted in love and not lust. Loving relationships require hard work and sacrifice. Marital relationships consist mostly of friendship, so be sure to get to know your date's heart through the formation of solid friendship. There is plenty of time to get to know your date's body after marriage.
Paul, John. Love and Responsibility. San Francisco: Ignatius, 1993. 131. Print.