How to Stop Settling for Less in Dating Relationship - Part 1

Settling for less in a relationship is something many of us have heard about but rarely fully understand. As Christian youths, navigating relationships can be particularly challenging because we want to honor God while also fulfilling our natural desire for companionship. But what does it really mean to settle for less? How do we know when we’re compromising our values or falling short of what God has planned for us?

Settling for less in a relationship means accepting someone who doesn’t align with God’s purpose for your life. It’s when you allow fear, loneliness, or the pressure of time to lead you into a relationship that isn’t right for you. It’s when you overlook red flags, ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit, or compromise your standards, hoping that things will get better with time. But deep down, you know something is off—something is missing. 

We all have a God-given purpose, a divine assignment that shapes our lives and decisions. When you settle for less in a relationship, you risk partnering with someone who doesn’t support or even understand your purpose. This can lead to a life of frustration, where you’re constantly trying to fit into a mold that wasn’t designed for you. Instead of thriving together, you find yourself merely surviving, struggling to maintain a connection that’s based more on convenience than on a shared vision for the future.

Sometimes, settling for less happens gradually. It might start with small compromises—accepting a lack of spiritual leadership, overlooking a disregard for your boundaries, or downplaying the importance of shared values. But these small compromises can add up, leading you further away from God’s best for you. You might tell yourself that it’s better than being alone or that you can change the other person over time. But the truth is, God doesn’t call us to change people; He calls us to partner with those who are already aligned with His will for our lives.

It’s important to remember that waiting on God’s timing is crucial. It can be tempting to rush into a relationship because it seems like everyone around you is pairing off, or because you’re tired of being single. But God’s timing is perfect, and He knows exactly what you need in a partner. He wants you to be with someone who will not only love and respect you but will also encourage you to grow in your faith and fulfill your purpose.

If you’re in a relationship and you’re wondering if you’ve settled for less, take a moment to reflect. Are you constantly compromising your values or making excuses for your partner’s behavior? Do you feel like you’re drifting away from your relationship with God? Are you sacrificing your dreams and goals because you’re afraid of being alone? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, it might be time to reconsider whether this relationship is God’s best for you.

Choosing not to settle requires courage. It means trusting that God has someone for you who will love you, not just for who you are but also for who God has called you to be. It means believing that you are worthy of a relationship that reflects God’s love and purpose. It means letting go of fear and embracing faith—faith that God’s plans for you are good, that He knows your desires, and that He will fulfill them in His perfect timing.

So, what does it mean to settle for less in a relationship? It means choosing to accept something that’s less than God’s best for you out of fear, insecurity, or impatience. But as Christian youths, we’re called to a higher standard. We’re called to seek God first, to trust in His plans, and to wait for a relationship that not only brings us joy but also honors Him. Don’t settle for less when God has something greater in store for you. Keep your heart open to His guidance, and trust that He will lead you to the person who is perfectly designed to walk with you on your journey of faith and purpose.

Hope Expression celebrates you. 

Prince Victor Matthew