This girl has me ‘friend zoned’

Dear Pastor,

I am a 22-year-old male who has been having problems expressing myself around girls. There is this one girl in particular that I am really interested in.

We hang out together a lot but I have never been able to muster up the courage to tell her how I really feel about her.

She would ask me do things for her and I would not hesitate to do them because of how much I really love her.

But I know she has a boyfriend who hurts her feelings and she would come to me to talk about it. Then I would always encourage her to talk back to her boyfriend.

But then I end up feeling sorry for myself for losing the opportunity to be with her. But I don't want to be a bad person.

I don't want her to feel like I am taking advantage of her because she is in a bad situation emotionally. Please give me your opinion on this matter.

J.C.

Dear J.C.,

This young woman does not see you as a lover. She sees you as a good friend. The relationship between both of you is platonic.

So don't spoil that. She has confidence in you and that is why she tells you what she is going through with her boyfriend.

I believe that you love this young woman, but if you are looking for a woman, look for someone else. This young woman is already taken.

You are still a young man and you have to learn to develop confidence in yourself. Make sure you speak well, dress well and don't allow women to intimidate you.

You need to learn to date so when you meet a young woman and you like her, try and find out what are her interests and invite her out.

If a couple of them turn you down, don't allow that to bother you. Someone will agree to go out with you, and when you go out, learn to conduct yourself as a gentleman.

Pastor.