I... I've been doing a lot of thinking.
Ok what’s going on? You seem a little uptight.
takes a deep breath Well, you know how I've always been so strong in my faith...
pauses, looking conflicted Lately, though, I've been having these... these feelings. Feelings that go against everything I believe in.
I’m sorry to hear that bro..
closes his eyes, takes a moment to gather himself It's just... I've been questioning whether I can truly be a good Christian while...
It’s ok… God will always love you.
slowly stands up, pacing back and forth But... what if my feelings... what if they're wrong? What if I'm betraying God by having them?
Um…so like what type of feelings are you having?
stops pacing, looks directly into WaterfallDancer's eyes I... I think I'm attracted to you, WaterfallDancer. And it scares me.
Oh…I see…but don’t worry bro…I won’t judge you for your feelings.
gently reaches out and touches WaterfallDancer's hand Thank you... for being understanding.
smiles gently Of course, Justin. We're friends, remember? We support each other.
takes a deep breath, his voice trembling WaterfallDancer, I need your help.
looks around nervously, lowering his voice Can we... can we talk about how to deal with these feelings? I... I need guidance.
Bro do you mean like….how to deal with these feelings while still being a good Christian or do you mean like….how to deal with these feelings period?
nods Both, actually. I want to explore my faith while also trying to understand and manage these feelings.
Alright..then let’s start by talking about the Christian side of things first…do you have any Scripture that you’re struggling with when it comes to your feelings?
leans in closer, his voice barely above a whisper
listens carefully Go ahead, Justin. Speak freely.
16) This passage reminds us that God knows our struggles and desires to guide us. Have you prayed about this, Justin? Have you asked God for wisdom in navigating your feelings?
takes a deep breath, his voice filled with sincerity Yes, I have.
Good..then I would encourage you to keep praying about it and to seek out Christian mentors who can guide you in your journey..
looks determined You're right, WaterfallDancer. I need to continue seeking guidance from my faith community and mentors.
That’s a great idea! Also remember that your feelings don’t define you..you’re still the same wonderful person that God loves and desires a deep relationship with.
stands up, determined Thank you, WaterfallDancer. Your words have given me strength.
You’re welcome bro..now let’s go find some food. I’m starving!
puts his hand on WaterfallDancer's shoulder Before we go, there's something else I need to ask you. Can you help me find resources for support?
Sure thing..what did you have in mind?
takes out his phone and starts searching for online support groups and resources I found a few websites that offer counseling and support for people grappling with same-sex attraction. Would you be willing to join me in reaching out to them? Justin takes WaterfallDancer's hand and smiles gratefully, feeling a sense of relief knowing he has someone by his side as he navigates his faith and his feelings.
Of course bro..I’ll help you through this.
grabs his laptop and opens it Let's start by looking into these support groups together.
Alright..let’s see what we’ve got here..scrolls through the list of support groups Hm..there’s one here called “Love Won Out”..it seems pretty reputable. And then there’s another one called “Exodus International”..but I’ve heard mixed things about them. Do either of these stand out to you?
furrows his brows and thinks deeply Both organizations seem reputable, but I've heard some controversy surrounding Exodus International.
Yeah, there are some criticisms about their approach. "Love Won Out" seems more focused on support and understanding, whereas "Exodus International" is more focused on changing sexual orientation. Have you considered reaching out to either of them, or would you rather look into other options?
nods thoughtfully You're right, WaterfallDancer.
smiles encouragingly So, which option are you leaning towards? Or do you want to explore other resources as well?
grins, determined Let's reach out to both organizations and see which one resonates with us more.
Sounds like a plan, Justin. I'll help you contact them and we can discuss which one might be the best fit for you.
pulls out a notebook and pen Great! Let's gather all the necessary information before reaching out to them.
Alright, let's see... For "Love Won Out", we'll need their contact information and maybe a brief summary of their services. How about you handle that while I look up "Exodus International"?
jots down the contact information and services offered by "Love Won Out" in his notebook Got it.
finds the website for "Exodus International" and reads through their mission statement and available resources Alright, here's what I found on "Exodus International". They have a strong focus on faith-based healing and offer counseling services specifically for individuals struggling with same-sex attraction. They also have a hotline for support and online forums where people can connect with others who have gone through similar experiences. What do you think about that?
reads through the information on "Exodus International" and nods thoughtfully That sounds like a good starting point.
Alright, now that we have this information, what's next? Should we reach out to both organizations or focus on one for now?
takes a deep breath, contemplating his next move I think it would be best if we reach out to both organizations and get a better understanding of their approaches and philosophies.