Safety

Its a realization I've had before, but as we've been making some decisions lately, it came back to me and I feel like I realized it all over again. I have so much more freedom because of the commandments I obey.
I will never have to worry about STD's, raising a child by myself because the father doesn't want to be involved, etc. because I obey the law of chastity.
I will never wake up hung over and not remembering what happened the night before because I obey the word of wisdom.
Because of the way I choose to live my life I am much more protected from, and less likely to associate with people who want to take advantage of my family or me or both.

I understand that there are other reasons that any or all of these things could happen to someone...but I am so much more protected from these ugly aspects of life because of the choices I make. I've been teased for the way I live, but to see the situation in these terms leaves me saying "I'd much rather live the way I do and have the reassurances that I have, than live the way others do and expose myself to so much danger and ugliness.
Don't get me wrong. I don't have any judgment for people who live differently than I do. They're doing what they think is right for them--and its important to feel that you have that freedom. I CHOOSE to live the way that I do because of things that I know and experiences I have had. I certainly don't expect others to make the same choices that I do in the absence of what I know and have experienced...but I am very grateful to be me, living the way that I do. It makes so much more sense to me.