Writing for Psychology Today, Dr. Lawrence R. Samuel cites seven keys to success:
- Reject the model of money, power, and fame.
- Avoid comparisons to others.
- Take a holistic view of yourself.
- Celebrate your victories, no matter how small.
- Accept failures.
- Prioritize relationships.
- Leave something behind.
Let’s talk about #5. It is important, in any aspect of life, to accept your failures, but to not dwell on them. In order to have a better future, you must quit trying to have a better past. There are three things you need to understand about failures: (a) they don’t define you, (b) they shouldn’t detour you, and (c) they can’t destroy you.
Recovery Step: Celebrate the following verse. “God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:9).
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.
