“And the Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Sometimes, change is gradual. Rick Warren writes, “The Holy Spirit works within us to make us gradually more and more like him.” Paul said we become different people “more and more.” That implies radical change – over time.
I get this question a lot: “How long will it take me to overcome my addiction?” I respond, “How long did it take you to hit bottom?”
We want microwave cures. But sometimes, change takes time.
When God wants to make a mushroom, he takes six hours. When he wants to make an oak tree, he takes 60 years. The question is, do you want to be a mushroom or an oak tree?
Recovery Step: Commit to the process. Recovery takes time.
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.
