I have always told myself I didn't need a boyfriend, that I was too young for one or that it would be pointless because it wouldn't last past high school, so I've never had one and I honestly haven't seriously liked a guy until now. I met him last semester in one of my classes. I didn't like him at first. He was really quiet and shy so we didn't talk at all. But as time went on we got to be pretty good friends and all my friends and I thought that he liked me. At that point I kind of liked him but not enough to admit it so I never mentioned it and we just stayed friends. All the while I was getting to know him more and realizing that he was the most amazing person I have ever met and I really started to like him. He was sweet, sensitive, shy, caring, understanding, and he made me feel good about myself—always telling me how smart I am or that I'm the greatest person he's ever met. And on top of all that, he's a Christian! I couldn't find one thing wrong with him. Not one! That is until I found out he was gay.
I cried so hard when I found out, I couldn't stop. I was so upset that I went totally numb for at least two weeks. It was that same numbness you get when a family member dies. I didn't want to eat or do anything. I turned to God and finally accepted the fact that he was not the one God had for me, so now I view him as just a friend. As a friend I still wish he would be straight. I believe that homosexuality is a sin. I don't believe you go to hell as a result of it even if you’re saved since all sin is equal and since we've all sinned and come short of the glory of God. I don't think that particular belief lines up with the word of God, but I do believe that it’s wrong and this whole situation has set that belief in stone for me. I told him that I don't think it’s right but that I respect his beliefs as his personal beliefs and that I would never stop being his friend because of it. I tried to keep my feelings from him and neither one of us has really confronted each other about it since then. So, I've slowly healed and I thought I was over him, but he just got a new boyfriend and... I cried again. I feel fine now, but I just don't know what to do. I feel as if I need to talk to him about it. I obviously still have feelings for him, and even our friendship is suffering. I think he's afraid to talk to me about his relationships for fear of hurting me, or perhaps because he thinks I don't want to hear about it, but I want him to feel as if he can be open with me and know that I'm here for him no matter what it is! Our friendship isn't going to last long if all our conversations only consist of small talk. I'm always worried about how he's doing because he won't say anything, but I'm too scared to say anything. What should I do?
Sincerely,
Awkward Friend
Dear Awkward Friend,
You are showing wisdom in going to God about this situation
and recognizing that he is not the one that God has for you. It appears that you have become emotionally
invested in this person and you had hoped that your relationship could have
grown into more than just a platonic friendship. Now you are grieving the loss of what could
have been and you appear to be deeply concerned for his well-being. That is why you become so upset. You care about him very much and you are
worrying about him. Perhaps you are afraid
to say anything to him because you are trying to guess why he isn’t discussing
personal things with you. Since you have
a good relationship with him, I recommend that you be honest with him regarding
your concerns. It’s okay to ask how he
is doing. Explain to him just what you
have explained to me and tell him that you want him to feel as if he can be
open with you and that you are there for him no matter what, and then allow him
the freedom to share what he wants with you, when he chooses to do so.
In the meantime, it
would be good for you to develop other friendships and interests so that you
are not so emotionally involved with him.
I would like to say a few things about sin in general. You are correct in saying that all sin is equal and quoting Romans 3:23. However, we should never use that as an excuse to avoid repenting of our sins and we should never take any sin lightly. Please read Romans chapter 6, James 1:14-15, I John 2:1-6, and I John 3:4-9. If we continue to practice sin, our conscience becomes hardened. We start to make excuses for our sin, such as, “God understands.” We try to justify ourselves, even to the point of searching for scriptures that we can take out of context or twist their meaning, while ignoring scriptures that contradict what we want to believe. These are the tricks that Satan uses to keep us in his trap. Don’t let that happen to you!
In the meantime, keep trusting God and He will lead you to the right one for you when the time is right.
God bless,
Aunt Dara
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