Obsession

Love is such a powerful force it shouldn’t be a surprise when it becomes an obsession. But it’s what we do with that obsession that can make our love Cupidity. In our book by the same name, Michael and I wrote about this idea, and because it's so easy to be obsessed by love I thought I'd share some of Cupidity with you here:
Not being able to stop thinking about someone is one thing, but a true obsession, according to Merriam- Webster’s dictionary, is “a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling.” Relational obsessions can come in the form of jealousy, anger, envy, bitterness, or revenge. It might come as a surprise, but letting any of these emotions control you is actually sinful (Romans 8:6-8). Not only are these obsessive tendencies a rejection of God and his Word, but they actually give you the opposite of what they promise. People who act on these emotions have the twisted belief that these actions will return their love and happiness to them. But the truth is that these emotions lead only to destruction and isolation. Love, by definition, isn’t jealous or angry. It isn’t bitter or vengeful (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). So when you start to be fed by those obsessive emotions, love leaves the room. And it’s nobody’s fault but your own.
It’s an ironic situation, but obsession serves to run off the very object it’s trying to keep hold of. Even if you aren’t in a relationship with someone yet but you have found yourself obsessing over them, you are systematically destroying the potential relationship. Instinctually we know that we are not meant to be worshiped. It’s uncomfortable and unbiblical.
If you live with the emotions of jealousy, anger, envy, bitterness, or revenge, you’ve crossed over into obsession. If you can’t stop thinking about someone you aren’t dating or someone who has rejected you, you are obsessing ( I would like to take a step further and add contstantly looking at this persons facebook, myspace or reading their blog is also a sick way of dealing with these emotions as well) The first thing to do is face the fact that these tendencies are not healthy or God honoring. You can’t overlook their negative effects on your life and the life of the other person.The only way out is to switch your obsession from man to God. You’ve got to get back to the one and only God before your relationships (and your spiritual life) self-destruct.

Written by Hayley DiMarco