That great theologian Lucy, of Peanuts fame, once mused, “I can change the world; it’s me I have trouble with.”
I can relate. Fixing everyone else is far easier than fixing myself. Francis of Assisi said it well: “Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.”
That is what recovery is all about – learning enough of your past, practical principles, and embracing community – so you can fix yourself. Or at least move in that direction.
Recovery requires self-control. The good news is that you don’t have to muster that up on your own. The Bible promises, “The fruit of the Spirit is . . . self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Recovery Step: Your responsibility today is not to suddenly discover a fresh dose of self-control, but to be filled with the Holy Spirit, who produces that self-control on His own.
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.
