Have you ever been stung by a jellyfish? Me neither. Well, not a real one anyway. But I’ve been stung by plenty of metaphorical jellyfish and I can say I’m probably a better person for it.
Relationships are interesting. After we get hurt by a few people in our lifetime, it’s easy to become callous to letting others into the vulnerable places of our hearts. It’s easy to assume people are just out to get us.

I used to think that way, especially about men. I thought all men would hurt me eventually. None could be trusted. They were sharks, circling the ocean waters waiting to devour the already hurt places of my heart. I learned I was wrong.

Everyone isn’t out to get us.

As Donald Miller writes in his new book Scary Close, “For the most part, other people aren’t out to get us.”
I’m learning living with distrust brings out the worst in us. It will still bring heartbreak, even if we’re living that way to avoid it. Relationships are hard, but worth the investment, even if you get hurt occasionally.
Miller asks a great question in the book,

“Am I willing to be hurt occasionally and turn the other cheek in order to have a long-term, healthy relationship?”

I am. What about you?
I realize I’ll be hurt again, but that doesn’t justify a fear of intimacy. I know those I’m in deep, intimate relationships with most likely won’t hurt me on purpose. They’re human. So am I. I’ll hurt them, too. But the Bible says, “love covers a multitude of sins.”

Swimming with jellyfish is part of the adventure. 

Donald’s soon-to-be wife, Betsy, asks him an interesting question in the book. She asked if he’d rather swim in a pool, a lake, or the ocean. He preferred the lake. When asked why, his answer was safe.
“In a lake you don’t have to deal with the jellyfish and the seaweed and the sharks and whatever else.”
She was quick to remind him trying not to get stung by a jellyfish was part of the adventure. “It’s worth it to get stung by a jellyfish every once in a while,” Betsy said. “For the occasional sting, you get to go to sleep feeling the waves and you get to giggle with your cousins.”

Isn’t that what it means to risk yourself on love and relationships? 

It is for me. I like to be safe. Comfortable. Knowing my every next move and plan. But I can’t live my life like that. I’ll die a boring, old maid with crocheted rugs and 20 cats in my house.
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I have to dive into the unknown parts of life and relationships, where the dangers are real. But for every danger I face, there are rewards. For every jellyfish that may or may not sting me, there’s a beautiful seashell waiting for me to pick it up and admire its beauty.