You know, we live in a weird world. Our society shames people for acknowledging that you can’t do it all alone.
I’m convinced that the individualism we love to champion is actually destroying us. Why is there such a stigma surrounding the need for others?
What are we trying to prove? And to whom?
We weren’t meant to do everything all alone.
When it comes to avoiding or overcoming habits – and especially something that can be as addictive as pornography – we need help more than ever. I would love it if we could be a part of rewriting the script – doing away with the word “shame” and replacing it with something like “brave.”
Certainly, vulnerability takes bravery, and there is nothing shameful about doing anything and everything that you can to protect yourself, your family, and your future from the devastating effects that pornography can have on you and the ones you love.
It. Is. Everywhere.
From interstate billboards to the nightly news to the magazine rack in an airport souvenir store to the iPhone in your back pocket, pornography has become a normalized, everyday part of our culture.
Perhaps most notably as of late: the current scandal surrounding the President of the United States.
I think that it should be a wake-up call to all of us. I suppose I’m taking a risk even mentioning it, what with how volatile our current political climate, but I also think it must be said. We have an opportunity to learn something profound here.
For those who aren’t aware, President Donald Trump and a pornography star named Stormy Daniels are currently in the middle of a big, public lawsuit. A bunch of news outlets have been covering the story, and 60 Minutes just ran a special in an attempt to piece the puzzle together, as well.
In short: years ago, long before his presidency, Mr. Trump met Stormy Daniels at a celebrity golf tournament that takes place every year in Tahoe, Utah. There is plenty to be read about their encounters elsewhere, but the point is:
This is the world we live in.
A world whose norm finds pornography stars handing out grab bags at a concessions booth at a golf game.
A world where those same pornography stars are literally a click away on the phone your pocket.
A world where decisions twelve years past are coming back to haunt (and potentially destroy) a person now.
Depending on your thoughts regarding President Trump, you might think that’s good, or that it’s a shame, but please don’t miss the point here.
This is not about whether a man is fit for office. It is about the fact that culture trickles down from the top, and who is more “top” than the president?
It is about the fact that the decisions we make matter, and our choices now might just make or break the lives we’re living years – or even decades – on down the line.
Maybe you already understand this.
There is an amazing difference in the freedom we feel between denying or fighting against the past versus making choices that will change our future… for the better.
Will you choose freedom?
By that I mean: will you choose to let other people into your life?
To help you where you need it?
When you say “yes” to help, you begin swimming against the current.
You take the initiative that many people never take – whether for the fear of honesty, or the shame of bringing secrets out of the shadows, or the pride of believing that you’ve got this on your own.
It is okay – more than that: it is courageous and commendable – to invite others into your life who are willing and able to help you through the struggles you face.
This is the whole reason we created Small Groups Online.
We all need help as much as anyone.
Accountability matters.
Community matters.
Having support and encouragement matters.
I hope you can see how beneficial it is to be open and honest with others and invite them into your life.
Try out an online small group today. See the difference it can make in your life and in your recovery.
This post was written by Craig Gross of XXXChurch.com. You can sign up for the online small groups by clicking HERE
I’m convinced that the individualism we love to champion is actually destroying us. Why is there such a stigma surrounding the need for others?
What are we trying to prove? And to whom?
We weren’t meant to do everything all alone.
When it comes to avoiding or overcoming habits – and especially something that can be as addictive as pornography – we need help more than ever. I would love it if we could be a part of rewriting the script – doing away with the word “shame” and replacing it with something like “brave.”
Certainly, vulnerability takes bravery, and there is nothing shameful about doing anything and everything that you can to protect yourself, your family, and your future from the devastating effects that pornography can have on you and the ones you love.
It. Is. Everywhere.
From interstate billboards to the nightly news to the magazine rack in an airport souvenir store to the iPhone in your back pocket, pornography has become a normalized, everyday part of our culture.
Perhaps most notably as of late: the current scandal surrounding the President of the United States.
I think that it should be a wake-up call to all of us. I suppose I’m taking a risk even mentioning it, what with how volatile our current political climate, but I also think it must be said. We have an opportunity to learn something profound here.
For those who aren’t aware, President Donald Trump and a pornography star named Stormy Daniels are currently in the middle of a big, public lawsuit. A bunch of news outlets have been covering the story, and 60 Minutes just ran a special in an attempt to piece the puzzle together, as well.
In short: years ago, long before his presidency, Mr. Trump met Stormy Daniels at a celebrity golf tournament that takes place every year in Tahoe, Utah. There is plenty to be read about their encounters elsewhere, but the point is:
This is the world we live in.
A world whose norm finds pornography stars handing out grab bags at a concessions booth at a golf game.
A world where those same pornography stars are literally a click away on the phone your pocket.
A world where decisions twelve years past are coming back to haunt (and potentially destroy) a person now.
Depending on your thoughts regarding President Trump, you might think that’s good, or that it’s a shame, but please don’t miss the point here.
This is not about whether a man is fit for office. It is about the fact that culture trickles down from the top, and who is more “top” than the president?
It is about the fact that the decisions we make matter, and our choices now might just make or break the lives we’re living years – or even decades – on down the line.
Maybe you already understand this.
There is an amazing difference in the freedom we feel between denying or fighting against the past versus making choices that will change our future… for the better.
Will you choose freedom?
By that I mean: will you choose to let other people into your life?
To help you where you need it?
When you say “yes” to help, you begin swimming against the current.
You take the initiative that many people never take – whether for the fear of honesty, or the shame of bringing secrets out of the shadows, or the pride of believing that you’ve got this on your own.
It is okay – more than that: it is courageous and commendable – to invite others into your life who are willing and able to help you through the struggles you face.
This is the whole reason we created Small Groups Online.
We all need help as much as anyone.
Accountability matters.
Community matters.
Having support and encouragement matters.
I hope you can see how beneficial it is to be open and honest with others and invite them into your life.
Try out an online small group today. See the difference it can make in your life and in your recovery.
This post was written by Craig Gross of XXXChurch.com. You can sign up for the online small groups by clicking HERE
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