But he got mad when I went out with another guy. What did I do wrong?
Some people enter dating with an attitude of “ownership.” They think that you belong to them and refuse to allow you to live your own life. They act as if you are their private property and want you to fulfill their every desire.
Then there are those who approach dating with an attitude of “relationship.” They put all the emphasis on being “in love.” They major on the romantic and become very insecure and jealous when you go out with another person.
Philippians 2:3, 4 expresses the right attitude you should have about dating. It says, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
The right attitude is that of “friendship.” The purpose of dating is not to meet your needs, but the needs of the other person. It is not to grow “in love,” but to grow in friendship. Some people, no matter how much you communicate this attitude, just will not understand. When that happens, be patient with them. Make every effort to remind them of the fact that they are still your friend. Hopefully, after a while, they will see your point of view.
Taken from The Teenage Q&A Book, pg. 131
