If you’re a Christian single who has tried app dating, you know that it can be tough to find someone who shares your values. But it is possible to find love online–you just need to keep an open mind. It’s not always easy, but here are some tips for how to have an open mind when online dating as a Christian.
Don’t Judge a Person by Their Profile Pictures
Just because someone doesn’t look like your “type” or share all of your interests doesn't mean they’re not worth getting to know. One of the cons of online dating is focusing on appearance over personality. You can only learn so much about a person from their dating profile. But if you want your online dating experience as a Christian to be successful, you must have an open mind regarding appearances. Be willing to spend time getting to know someone deeper before ruling them out because of how they look.
Know When to Compromise on Your “Must-Have” List
So you’ve found the *nearly* perfect guy or gal on a Christian dating app. They love the Lord, have a steady career they enjoy, have the same hobbies as you, and want a lifelong marriage. But they don’t check every single box on your list of “must-haves.” Maybe the guy isn’t your ideal height, or you always dreamed of being with an athletic girl, and this almost perfect person isn’t into sports. When online dating as a Christian, having an open mind means reevaluating your “must-have” list to identify which items are truly important so that you don’t miss out on an amazing connection.
Understand the Barriers to Effective Communication
Most online dating relationships start by sending that first message on an app. Although emojis have done wonders for expressing emotion over a text message, there’s still a lot missing, like tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language. Having an open mind when online dating as a Christian means being willing to prioritize communication. Don't throw in the towel right away if you get offended by a message or aren’t sure how to respond to an uncomfortable question or statement. Ask questions, and be open to hearing the other person’s point of view. There’s a chance you misunderstood, or something didn’t translate well over text.
Choose Grace and Give Second Chances
Online dating as a Christian is an art form. You need to know when it’s time to end a relationship and when it’s safe to give a second chance. It’s essential to be prudent when dating, but it’s also important to be gracious and give second chances when you feel it’s right to do so. Learning how to have an open mind when online dating means being willing to accept people’s mistakes and flaws and not hold them against the person if it’s something they can work on and you can get past.
Online dating as a Christian is a great way to meet new people, but it’s important to keep an open mind. Don’t judge someone by their profile pictures–you may be surprised what you find when you get to know them. Be prepared to compromise on your “must-have” list–nobody is perfect, and that’s okay. Understand the barriers to effective communication and choose grace. Give people second chances–we all make mistakes sometimes. Use these tips for how to have an open mind when online dating, and see if you find your forever love on Upward.
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