Others have made a great point about not being able to change others.
But I am not trying to change him, only God can do that. I love my boyfriend so much and it saddens me that he is missing out on so much because he is allowing the past to control the presence. I am only praying that God will intervene and help this man wake up to what he cant see and realize.
I would also add, though, that I don't think we should sit around and wait for God to change others either. Yes, God can do wonderful things in this man - if he lets him, which he might not. But that is not something to wait for. God can change him with you or without you.
I agree that my boyfriends needs to invite the Holy Spirit in so God can do amazing things and I pray for that too. Waiting for this to happen is the part I'm conflicted about. I truly believe this man and I have so much going for us if only he allows God to work in him/us... I need to pray and talk to God about all of this, especially the waiting etc. I know this man is not my husband but if he was, I would be getting different advice, right? Advice telling me to stay strong and patient on Gods timing to work in him? Just curious because that is what I believe strongly for married couples.
When we go about making friends with others (not even considering boyfriends/girlfriends), we don't pick one and say "I like this person, but they have this terrible habit of bullying others, but I'm going to hang out with them anyway and believe they will change." Rather, we hang out with people who are like us, who we get along with and who treat others (and us) well. We choose our friends based on mutual respect, and if our friend starts to bully us, we tend to stop hanging around with them.
Great way to put it.
I see what you are trying to tell me. I agree I need to be treated with love and respect at all times, not just when he feels like it.
If we choose our social circle based on mutual respect and end them when there have been ongoing issues of bullying, why would we not use those same criteria when looking for a spouse? In fact, it is even more important to do this when looking for a spouse because we will spend significantly more time with them than any of our friends. When it comes to choosing who to be with, social psychology supports the saying "birds of a feather flock together."
Very true!!
There is also the matter of becoming one. Do not count on your partner changing - he has to be responsible for that, and God will only work on him if he lets him. So don't count on it happening. Now think about this. Do you want to become just like your boyfriend? Do you wish you were like him in the ways that matter most (like in faith, humility, behaviour, respect, tact, communication style, values, parenting style, etc)? If you want to become just like him, then continue the relationship. If not, what is the harm of putting the relationship on hold while you go on and live your life, allowing God to do the work you hope for? Later, if there is evidence of spiritual fruit, it might be worth re-visiting. If not, then it is evidence that he is unwilling to allow God to change his heart and mind.
I believe in calling things out as though they might not seem. I believe in calling things out before they even happen. I believe God wants to change my bf so he can benefit from all he's been missing out on. I believe that this man needs my love, devotion and prayers strongly. I need to pray mightily about this and see what I feel lead to do. If that is what God reveals to me, I will need to listen. I haven't prayed about that yet, only that The Lord will work in him/us.
You do not need to kow-tow to him, you do not need to take his punishments or unforgiveness or double-mindedness, you do not need to convince him that your past is your past and is not part of your present or your future.
I agree.
If this is not a consideration, I wonder if you can answer this question (it's more for self-reflection than to answer here): How long will you be in this relationship the way things are and without seeing any change, before you finally decide enough is enough? How invested in the relationship will you be then compared to now, meaning how much harder would it be to break the relationship then compared to now?
I honestly need to have a good talk with The Lord about this because I know God loves me and wants the very best for me. He knows how loving I am and my motives and intentions are always for the good. I know the Lord doesn't want me to suffer... I need to talk to him about this because I shouldn't be suffering right now when all I do is love this man and want the very best for him. I have neve done anything since I have known him to be unloving, disrespectful, etc.
I'm only saying this part for information: There is a cycle to abuse. They abuse until it hits the fan. They apologize and act better for a while, and then it gradually gets bad again - till it hits the fan again, and then the cycle repeats. Sometimes the cycle will repeat at the same level of intensity, but most times the issue becomes more and more intense every time it repeats. If you stay in the relationship, that's just something to watch out for.
I see the routine if this happening.
The only problem here that even makes it worse is he doesn't think he's wrong for how he treats my past. He feels bad for his behavior regarding it sometimes but some how he justifies him being "allowed" to judge me for it. I can't wrap my mind around it.
Now to expand on something JLSJMS said about loving yourself and knowing you deserve better. You are created in the image of God. The Bible talks about how we love and care for our own body. I think one part of who we are is really neglected, though, and this is also created in the image of God. Our mind, our heart. Will you love and care for your your heart by protecting it from the "punishment" your boyfriend gives you? The Bible says we need to "guard our heart and mind in Christ Jesus." Would you let your boyfriend treat Jesus this way? Please don't let him treat you this way. Protect the image of God....
Praying for you...