So, it sounds like we all agree that it is better not to hug our guy friends, but if we do, that we should be careful about it. I want to share an expierence with you all that has shaped my thinking on this subject.
I have grown up homeschooled, and in the last few years, have not had many relationships with guys my own age, and even if I had they have not been very close. Anyways, at my workplace, I worked with a guy whom I enjoyed joking around with. He is not a Christian. Anyway, I got closer to him than I had to any guy I had with before. I got excited. I finally knew a guy well, that I thought I could hang out with and really get to know. Of course, I would reason, we are 'just friends'. I started looking forward to seeing him. I started hugging him when I said hello and goodbye. I could not get him out of my thoughts. Then, another person I worked with made the comment that I was flirting with him, instead of just normal joking around. That shook me awake.
Was I really flirting? Surely not, we were 'just friends' after all, I said to myself as I hugged him again. I got home that night, and God broke through and opened my eyes. I realized how much I fantasized about him, how much I was leading him on. I fell on my face towards God. How could I have been so foolish? So stupid? How did I not see it? I had all these lofty ideas about dating and marriage, and then I had gone and given my heart away.
Thats when I started looking for answers. I went to my Nan and asked her what she thought about it, and my Nan told me that, honestly, she felt uncomfortable when she hugged other men.
Now, with other 'brother and sister' relationships, I have realized where I went wrong, and what not to do with the other relationships I have.
1) Do you think hugging is appropriate?
I do not think hugging is appropriate. There are some situations where it is natural in a brother-sister relationship, but that only happens once in a blue moon. Like Taleisha said, she was moving overseas, and when she said goodbye, her guy friends closest to her she hugged goodbye. But these situations are really quite rare, look at what your attitude is, what your thoughts are. Why are you doing it? Would it give the wrong impression to the guy? I liked what Moriah said, that if we think that that guy is someone elses husband, I think that would help a lot.
2) What is the difference between friends and romance?
Friends let each other know how their feeling. They carry each others burdens. They pray for each other. They are always there for each other. They are always guarding each others purity.
In romance, they cannot stop thinking about each other. They are always wondering what the other is doing. They play over in their mind the last time they saw that person. They hold hands. They open up to each other more than they need to.
3) What things do you not do in a brother relationship?
You dont flirt. You make sure you restrict all physical touch.
4) Should we worry about what other people think?
This one made me really think. I think Moriah is right. Whatever people think, we should hold it up and ask us if there is truth in it. And ask, is it just gossip, or is it the truth? Is the person saying it worthy to be listened to?
So, I have more questions for discussion.
What is the best bit of advice you have recieved for this?
How do you stop your thoughts from becoming obsessive?
:)
Meggie
When I was faced with this my dad told me that it's best not to. It's so much better to have a safe, and still enjoyable and great, friendship with a guy without bringing in hugs and making things more complicated then they need to be. Something I would absolutely hate would be if in my mind I thought it was harmless to hug a guy, but then to be giving him the wrong impression.
ReplyDeleteGuys are different to us and can really read into things the wrong way. It could really jeopardise a friendship if the girl thinks everything is fine, but they have slowly been helping the guy develop a crush on them.
For me right now I'm only looking for friendships with guys and I think the friendship could be completely turned upside down if I found out that a guy I consider a 'brother figure' was developing feelings for me. I would feel guilty and I don't think that the friendship would be able to go back to exactly how it was before. It's just better to be safe then to be sorry. My friendships are too valuable to me to worry about complicating things with something as small and 'harmless' as a hug.
As for the obsessive thoughts, I 100 percent believe that we can choose what we feel and if we are going to obsess over something. We can either let our minds wonder off and think about the 'what could be' and what if's, or we can address them as a problem that could lead to impurity in our emotions, and do something about it before they become consuming and in our thoughts 24/7.
I believe that we can stop these thoughts and obsessions. Firstly, when these thoughts come into your head to do something about it. Go listen to Christian music, read your Bible, talk to a friend, find what works for you. The outcome of your obsession will entirely depend on how you dealt with it and how you tried to control it. It will also depend on how consistent you are in identifying and addressing it.
Ultimately, if our hearts are in the right place, we shouldn't have to worry about things becoming obsessive.
Hope this helps,
Taleisha
Yes, but we need to remember, that actually, we are sinful. We are going to fail, we are going to think stuff and do stuff are soo wrong.
DeleteWe need to do this with Christ, and the most important thing is asking Him to guard our minds and change us so that we dont think it. That is the only way it will happen. God is victory.
I am not saying that this condones making mistakes, it doesnt. It is all our fault when we mess up. It is us that makes those decisions, no one else, but we need to recognize that we cant do it without God. We are sinful. We will fail, but in God we can have victory.
Love you Taleisha,
Meggie