Any girl reading this knows the everyday struggle.
The feeling of being viewed as a piece of meat by the guy that passes her on the way to class.
Maybe you even date a guy who mentions how hot you are, or how great your long tan legs are, or how attractive and athletic you are. None of these are seemingly harmful comments on the surface - because you should be attracted to your significant other, right?
Right.
But what a guy doesn't see is how these comments affect a girl's thoughts which then affect her actions and the way she lives her life.
I've seen both guys. I've been with the one who, for lack of better words - loved me for my body.
The guy who always complimented my physique and always encouraged me to show it off. If you got it, flaunt it right? Those "compliments" turned into my own thoughts about myself and my focus shifted. Suddenly it became all about how to keep my abs, whether my soccer tan was super obvious or not, and which shorts I was going to wear.
I focused on what I looked like, how many people liked me, and how to fit in.
My self-dignity didn't go completely down the drain, but some of my morals and values were put on the line.
However, I also know what it's like when a guy loves you for more than your body too. When a guy loves you for your tenderness towards people, for your kindness and authenticity, and for you love for the Lord - your focus shifts again.
But this time, not externally, but internally.
Your focus shifts to how well you love and treat people, which in turn, affects everything in your life. Your positivity, gratitude, love of life, and genuine happiness become so much more consistent than it's ever been. It's honestly quite beautiful and a million times more healthy and fulfilling than only hearing, shallow, face value compliments about your body, which, if you were unaware, is constantly changing anyway.
So girls, save yourself the confusion over what real love is and the obsession over your looks/body and hold out for a guy who loves you for so much more than material things. Because a love for your body is a love that's always changing and never lasts. But a love for your heart and soul is always present and always growing.