Sometimes our defense of past actions is more injurious to those close to us than those actions themselves.
Let’s get academic. Dr. Martin Seligman is a former president of the American Psychological Association. Seligman says we all have what he calls “an explanatory style.” He defines this as “the manner in which we habitually explain to ourselves why events happen.”
In other words, we each have a tendency to deflect. Rather than take on the weight of our indiscretions, we shift the focus to why we do things, as justification for the damage we’ve caused.
It is easy – and natural – for us to lay the blame at the feet of anything and anyone but ourselves.
Proverbs 14:12 reads, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end is the way of destruction.”
Recovery Step: Review this statement throughout today – Your past explains your behavior, but it doesn’t excuse it.
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.
