It was a sunny Friday afternoon, and I had just finished attending a writing conference with a girlfriend of mine. I walked to the parking garage and hopped in my truck.
Yikes!
The parking garage had been empty when I pulled in early that morning, but it had completely filled up throughout the day. Getting out of a parking garage in a big Texas truck is nearly impossible.
As I slowly started to inch my way out, I noticed the driver in the car waiting to take my parking spot was a very attractive looking guy. He had a big smile on his face as he watched me slowly make my way out of the parking spot.
As I drove past him, I thought, That guy was flirting with me!
I pulled out of the parking garage and quickly found myself thinking about that smiling, handsome guy. I began to wonder who he was, what his name was, and where he was going.
Before my thoughts got carried away, I stopped myself and remembered, “I literally don’t even know that guy.” I reminded myself he was a total stranger, and I would most likely never see him again.
Thanks to that quick (what I like to call) “flirting with a stranger” moment, I realized just how easily we as girls can get our thoughts all tangled up in guys.
Guys we have never met.
Guys we hardly know.
And guys who give us the slightest bit of attention.
I don’t know about you, but I can create an entire fantasy world (practically walking myself down the wedding aisle) with a guy who I don’t even know.
Are any of you girls feeling me on this one?
Thankfully, I know I’m not the only girl who struggles with this sort of thing.
I was recently talking with some girlfriends who admitted they tend to daydream over guys, too. They told me their weakness is celebrities, guys in movies, TV shows, and even pictures of guys on social media.
After chatting for a few minutes my girlfriends asked me what I currently do to avoid getting emotionally caught up in a guy. Here’s what I told them:
“I avoid getting emotionally entangled with a guy by controlling my thoughts. If I allow myself to dwell on sweet, romantic thoughts about a guy, I become emotionally entangled. I have to use self-control and guard my thought life in order to avoid ‘falling in love’ with guys I don’t even know.”
It’s an idea that comes straight out of God’s Word.
Second Corinthians 10:5 says, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (emphasis added).
I challenge you to try it. The next time you get emotionally wrapped up in a guy, ask yourself these questions:
- Have I been daydreaming about him?
- Have I been constantly thinking about him?
- Have I been planning how I am going to see/talk to him next?
- Have I been constantly wondering what he is up to?
If any of your answers are “yes” then it’s time to take control of your thoughts.
It won’t be easy! You have to be intentional to not allow yourself to constantly or romantically think about guys. I highly recommend reading 5 Truths to Combat “Out-of-Control” Emotions for more detailed help on this topic.
The next time your thoughts go toward that certain guy, “take your thoughts captive” by reciting a Bible verse, praying, and/or singing a praise song. Intentionally choose to redirect your thoughts in a different direction. You’ll soon realize your emotions don’t have to run free and wild when it comes to guys.
You’ll soon realize your emotions don’t have to run free and wild when it comes to guys.
With the power of God and the purposeful decision to choose your thoughts, you can avoid “falling in love” with total strangers.
- When is the last time you daydreamed or fantasized about a guy?
- Do you need to be more intentional about “taking your thoughts captive?”
