We all want to be someone else. In the process, we forget who really are.
Philosopher Dolly Parton said, “I’m not offended by blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb. I also know I’m not blonde.”
The old American poet, E.E. Cummings, wrote, “The hardest challenge is to be yourself in a world where everyone is trying to make you be somebody else.”
Interestingly, Jesus commanded you to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
Jesus didn’t say to love others “more than yourself” or “before yourself.” He said, “As yourself.”
Recovery Step: Accept yourself as God made you because that is exactly what he intended.
Author: Mark Denison
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.
