William Shakespeare wrote, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women are merely players.” (As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 7)
What does that mean?
This 17th-century comedy features this timeless line from Jaques. He is essentially contending that life follows a script. People play pre-determined roles, as in a theater production. Through the various acts of the play, we are prisoners of the script.
This line of thinking takes us to a very dark place. “I can’t help myself. My actions are not my fault. It’s all part of the script.”
God has a different view. When we are faced with temptation, God has created a “way of escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Recovery Step: Flip the script. Acting out is not pre-determined. You get to write the next act of your play today. The pen is in your hand.
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
