> You’re a young woman who fornicated for the first time and are now convinced that you made the biggest mistake of your life. You did make a mistake, but the fact that you’re remorseful is a positive sign that you can overcome what you’ve done and move forward in a way that serves God more faithfully.

> Virginity lost

> The stories are usually the same. You met an attractive man who appeared charming, kind, and patient. He knew the right things to alleviate your concerns about going too far too fast. He seemed to put out signals that he wanted to be with you long-term though you never explicitly asked him for commitment. While petting and kissing, many times you said “No” or “Stop” and he obeyed, though sometimes reluctantly. He lavished praise on your beauty. He exclaimed how much you were turning him on. No man has ever kissed or caressed you like that before. You felt excited over wielding the power of your sexuality. You couldn’t believe that such a “natural” intimate act could be wrong. The moment took over, your will seemed to disappear. Next thing you knew, you’re in the middle of a sex act that felt far less enjoyable than the kisses and touches that preceded it. You wanted to escape, to be somewhere else, but too late now. His orgasm is complete. He lay beside you but he might as well be in the next town over. You try to convince yourself that maybe he is the one, yet within only a few days, he’s taking longer to reply to your text messages. He acts as if he doesn’t even care.

> For your sake, I hope this is the biggest mistake you’ll make in your life, because there is much worse you can do. You let a fantasy of sexual passion supplant your faith, which was too weak to resist the advances of an attractive man who used stock lines and techniques, perhaps ones that I wrote about in my now-unpublished fornication books. The connection you felt with him was lust and not love, centered around physical appearance and emotion. You cared about him much less than you think, and he cared about you even less than that. He’s already moved on, lining up his next sex partner, hoping that new flesh will save him in the same way you looked to him to save you, but now you’re holding the bag of the virginity you lost that can never be given to your husband.