Two characters in the Old Testament served as perfect examples of two competing forces: fear and faith. Those men were King Saul and his son Jonathan.
Saul let fear dictate his life, while Jonathan was driven by faith. Jonathan spoke with hope in the face of adversity: “Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf” (1 Samuel 14:6a).
The Philistines waited for Israel to send someone out to battle. Jonathan slipped out in secret. He told his armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving” (1 Samuel 14:6b).
Seven verses later, Jonathan won a decisive battle.
Every addict lives with the threat of fear – a fear of falling, fear of failing, and fear of fumbling the progress we have attained. The antidote is faith – in God, the process, and your recovery.
Recovery Step: Choose faith.
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.
