“The Lord declares, ‘Is not my word like a fire, and like a hammer which shatters a rock?’” (Jeremiah 23:29).
In ancient days, men would heat gold or silver to extreme temperatures that would burn away all the impurities. Then with great skill, they hammered the metal into a desired form. This was a process of many steps: heating, pounding, reheating, hammering some more, and then plunging the metal into cooling water to harden the new shape.
This is how God transforms us. He is always at work burning away the impurities and even hammering when he needs to, in order to conform us to the image of his Son.
Everyone – especially an addict – needs a little hammering from time to time. Embrace the process.
Recovery Step: God wants to transform who you were into something far better. Let him.
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.
