The battle for sobriety can be viewed in one of two ways. You can see it as a temptation from the enemy that sets you up for failure. Or you can see it as a test from the Father that sets you up for success.
As I remember my academic career, I fondly recall those days, from third grade to graduate school, when I passed a test. Nothing feels better.
Oswald Chambers said it like this: “The nature of faith is that it must be tried.”
Your recovery will be tried. When it is, remember this: “The testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:3).
Like all tests, this one requires preparation. Put in the hard work before the test, and success will follow.
Recovery Step: Do the hard work before you are tested, so you will be ready.
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.
