How do you not turn your new gf into an idol

It's hard not to get sucked into new relationships, they are so exciting! Perhaps the advice of a wise older believer from church, or a book such as "Boy Meets Girl" by Joshua Harris would be helpful.

I read a good book called "When God writes your love story". It was about things like this. You know shes become an idol if your christian life gets put on hold for her. For example you skip church to talk to her. You pray less because you want to do things/talk to her. Essentially as I said your christian life falls to the way side.

With my wife before we married we agreed God had to be our center. Sure we could talk for 8 hours a day. But our christian life didn't really change. On saturday night I would get off even though we usually talk late so I could get to bed for church. One thing that helped us keep God as our center is we did things together. We would pray in mornings and at night (online). We would sort of have a bible study. We would talk about different christian things...etc.

Even on the honeymoon where couples...are usually busy we put aside desires to make sure we didn't forget God. Every morning we got up and went out and prayed and did devotions. At night we prayed again. Although to be fair the honeymoon is a bit harder since you have lots of intimacy flowing through your head.

Being apart now (waiting for a visa) we still pray all the time and keep God at the front of our marriage. We both say we love God first, then each other. We also love sharing things we read like bible verses or bible study things. If you keep God at the front, then the marriage will go well. Doesn't mean its happily ever after obviously. But things will be much easier!

Bwerne, it's so completely normal to feel this way at the beginning of promising new relationship. From what you've said, I don't think you're idolizing this girl at all, you're just excited and infatuated! Believe it or not, this stage will pass... it's a bit sad to me that it can't be permanent, but at some point, reality does need to set in, and the challenges of life will present themselves, and then your relationship will truly be tested to see if it's just a passing crush or something with more substance that can stand the test of time. So for now, enjoy the giddy butterflies and the heart palpitations There's nothing more intoxicating than those first moments of realizing someone that you think is amazing and incredible, actually likes YOU back. Keep the whole thing in prayer. Ask God to protect both of your hearts and direct you in the days to come. If this is meant to be, it'll progress. If it's not meant to be, hopefully it'll fizzle out without any drama. Trust God and stay faithful to Him, and He'll take care of things.

I've messed up in this area, putting others before God. It doesn't work. I find asking God to be the best answer to everything, he might whomp, encourage or teach you in this area, but he's always interested. Ask him to be Lord of the whole thing (Lord means master).

You're not turning her into an idol. You like her, and that's normal. Just make sure you do your regular spiritual activities and have personal time with God. He wants us to be happy and in love. Now, if you stop nurturing your relationship with God and put all your focus on her, you have a problem. Right now, you're fine. Enjoy yourself.