If you are currently in a dating relationship, ask yourself how you would view your boyfriend if you were an outsider looking in. Are you sticking around because you’re needy?
Because of fear? The people with the biggest needs or fears are usually the ones who fill their lives with the biggest Mr. Wrong.
Also, our judgment in relationships disappears when sex is thrown into the mixture. Once the powerful and pleasurable ingredient of sex is added, we tend to overlook even basic flaws— until the passion subsides, of course. But by then it can be too late. By then, your emotions are knotted tight.
Real Life “Love”
The messages in teen magazines for young girls are obvious: Winning a boyfriend is crucial, so you need to dress skimpy, approach guys boldly, and don’t think twice about going all the way!
Yet what does that mean in real life? It may mean broken hearts and bad reputations. It may mean unplanned pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases. One statistic even states that unmarried, teenage girls who are sexually active are three times more likely to be depressed than girls who are not sexually active! Also, girls who are sexually active are almost three times more likely to attempt suicide than are girls who are not sexually active.
Also, most sexually transmitted diseases cannot be cured. The symptoms can be managed, but the disease itself will be with you forever. And you will pass it on when you meet the person you want to spend your life with.
Excerpted with permission from Teen Mom by Tricia Goyer, copyright Zondervan, 2015.
About Teen Mom

Everything changes the day you discover you’re going to be a mom. It’s not just yourself that you think about—you have a child to care for, too. While you wouldn’t trade your child for the world, some days are just hard. Baby-daddy drama, dealing with your parents, and worries about school, work, and your future slam you. Your friends can’t relate to your little family, and you wonder if God has turned His back on you, too.
Tricia Goyer understands. A mom at age 17, Tricia remembers what it felt like to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. She’s also been the coordinator of a teen mom support group for over twelve years, and she’s cheered on many young moms—from all walks of life—through their journey.
In Teen Mom: You’re Stronger Than You Think, Tricia pours out her heart and shares advice for the hard things you face. She also longs to provide encouragement, reminding you that you can be the mom your child deserves—not in your own strength, but in the strength God provides.
Other Blog Posts I’ve Written About Teen Moms
How to Become Life-Long Learner
Do You Love Me? | Breaking the Cycle of Bad Relationships
The ABCs of Helping a Young Mom
Gaining Wisdom by Working with Teen Moms
A Letter to Teen Moms | You Are Important
Word Identity | Your Words Change Everything!
Share “Teen Mom” with Someone Today!
5 Practical Ways to Run a Teen MOPS Group
17 Ways to Reach out to Single Moms
Why Does Mentoring Matter? A Lesson From Mary
God Is Not Punishing You For Your Past Sins
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