The Wait by Franklin, DeVon -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Dedication Introduction

Why We Waited Yes, The Wait Is (Sort of) About Sex Answer to the Important Questions

Chapter One: No Sex? You Can’t Be Serious

Sex, Waiting, and Relationships The Problem with Sex Why We Chose to Be Celibate What The Wait Isn’t Things to Know About Being Celibate Signs from God Does It Really Have to Be Until Marriage? The Blessings of Waiting Wise Waiting Celibacy Versus Abstinence The Energy to Change Everything Delayed Gratification and Marshmallows Being Selective Makes You More Desirable The Wait and . . . Career

Chapter Two: Getting What You Really Want (Hint: It Isn’t Sex)

Becoming the Best Version of Yourself Before We Dated Wise Waiting How The Wait Improved Our Lives The Wait and . . . Finances Grabbing Hold of the Life You Want The Wait Reprograms Your Pleasure Software Lip Service It Puts You Back in Control It Pulls the Right People to You Other Key Reasons Why Waiting Is Worth It Know Your Triggers

Chapter Three: First Steps Down the Path to Authentic Love

Make the Decision Seek Wise Counsel Let God Be Your Matchmaker What If the Other Person Is Waiting First? Give Up the Illusion of “The One” The Wait and . . . Weight The Stages of Celibacy Know That It Gets Easier Wise Waiting

Chapter Four: Lead Me Not into Temptation, I Can Find It Myself

Remembering Why You Started The Lust Prayer The Wait and . . . Creativity What Temptation Looks Like Taking Care of Business Temptation Avoidance Tips Mind Your Triggers Prepare for Every Contingency Eyes on the Prize Thinking about Sex Less

Chapter Five: What Keeps Women from Waiting?

Happily Ever After? Not So Much Women’s Disciplines For Women, Celibacy Is Control “If I Don’t Sleep with Him, I’ll Lose Him” How Not to Wait “There Are Only a Few Good Men Out There” Woman Versus Woman Who Is Your Husband? Fear Is a Failure of Faith The Wait and . . . Friendships Waiting Gives You Back Your Power How Waiting Gets You What You Want

Chapter Six: What Keeps Men from Waiting?

The List The Cost Men’s Disciplines Walking, Talking Sex Drives What Are You Doing with Your Not-Tied-Downness? “No” Before Bros Who Is Your Wife? The Wait and . . . Business Faith and The Waiting Man Attention Is the Currency of True Success Take Inventory Wise Waiting

Chapter Seven: Can I Date While I Wait?

What Do You Deserve? It’s Confusing DUI: Dating Under Infatuation Type or Typo? The Jury Is Out You Know Not Because You Ask Not Beware of Your List Dipping Your Toe into the Dating Pool Steady at Your Center Going Deeper Telling Your Date About The Wait Wise Waiting

Chapter Eight: When Should I Commit?

Live as You Before You Live as We If You’re Ready, Don’t Be Afraid to Move Ahead Breaking the Stalemate Reasons Not to Commit Learning . . . Every Date, Every Day Should You Live Like You’re Married When You’re Not? The Friends-and-Family Plan Passion Chemistry Popping the Question Marriage and Beyond The Blessings of Marriage

Chapter Nine: Don’t Give Up

The Wait Always Works Beware of Pitfalls Plenty to Do in the Meantime Trust What You Can’t See Stay on God’s Timetable The Wait and . . . Self-Esteem Reflect and Review Fine-Tuning Final Thoughts

Acknowledgments About Meagan Good and DeVon Franklin Copyright