After hearing various stories about relationships, I am convinced that women are better off to rise up to the challenge of standing out by standing UP to the message that is shouted from the rooftops of today's culture of casual physical intimacy in relationships. The popular phrase that is widely accepted like 'friends with benefits' should be thoughtfully reconsidered.

What could be the cause of the decline in morality that is running so rampant in today's culture? It may be the rise in the divorce rate and the accompanying incredible pain and devastation it causes for families. People may be afraid to marry again. After all, why go through all of the heartache again on purpose? With this comes the thinking that 'as long as my needs are met, why even get married?' The problem with this way of living is that a woman ends up getting hurt anyway. Men who are willing to be involved in this type of relationship are usually not ones who purposefully love and commit to one woman, taking themselves off the market, so to speak. They end up being in the relationship for the temporary physical and emotional satisfaction with little or no regard to the woman's deepening feelings for them, discounting the pros of a deeper, more satisfying relationship. Along with this, once the 'thrill of the new' is gone or the woman expresses her desire for a more committed relationship, they are off to other conquests, just to repeat the cycle again.

Women of today will be much better off if they will recognize that, as hard as it is to wait and save themselves for the right man (the one that our Creator has for them), they are much better off doing so. Protecting their hearts and emotions and opting for a balanced life is a MUCH healthier way of moving and shaking in this life! I hope that women will recognize these facts and choose to stand ABOVE, stand OUT and encourage others in the process!

by Lisa Zagnoli

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