Jesus healed the sick. He raised the dead. He fed the hungry. He brought light to the darkness. And for that, he was mocked, spit upon, and eventually crucified.
Just days before his death, Jesus reflected. “They hated me without reason” (John 15:25).
Did you catch that? Without reason.
Before you go crazy slinging darts at those who persecuted our Lord, think about your own example. Did you really have a good reason to cheat on your wife? To look up images of naked women? To gaslight when you were caught? To put off therapy?
What about the dozens of slips and relapses? Did you have a good reason for any of them?
Nope. But you did it anyway.
I can’t think of a better time to trade in the unreasonable for the reasonable.
Recovery Step: It would be reasonable for you to quit lying, to get into recovery, and to come clean. That may not be fun, but it is reasonable.
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.
