We always take the easiest route possible. Not so, with God. As his children were enroute to the Promised Land, we read this: “God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land” (Exodus 13:17).
Recovery is the road less traveled because it is the road less easy. We are wired to avoid difficulties at all cost. But sometimes, affliction is a good thing.
Mark Altrogge, senior pastor of Sovereign Grace Church in Indiana, Pennsylvania, suggests seven things affliction does for us:
- Drives us to prayer
- Produces humility
- Deepens reliance on God
- Brings comfort from God
- Builds compassion for others
- Produces endurance
- Reminds us this world is not our home
Recovery Step: Trade in the easy road to nowhere for the difficult road to recovery.
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.
