Pornography has never been a stronghold in my life. Sugar, yes. Porn, no. I have been exposed to it, but I guess my fear of being caught overpowered the addictive prowess of the words and images.
I am finding that women, my sisters in Christ, have been and continue to be snared by porn and its derivatives. (I expected it from men but my sisters too? Yes.)
I purchased a book recently. It's the predecessor and companion work of "Captivating". It's called "Wild at Heart" and features the keys to what lies underneath the sometimes distant and withdrawn features of every man. The author brings the reader back to the true and intimate core of a man, as God designed. It's not a self-help book. It's a self reveal.
In it the author writes, "The less a guy feels like a real man in the presence of a real woman, the more vulnerable he is to porn."
Whoop, there it is!
But Lord what about women? Why are we also ensnared?
I believe, the less a woman feels like a beauty, worthy of pursuit, in the presence of godliness, the more susceptible she is to hiding in the shadows of counterfeit intimacy.
Counterfeit intimacy? Pornography, an abusive relationship, an undefined relationship status. Yes, counterfeit.
But there is one who calls us beautiful - no matter how much we weigh, what clothes we wear, how accomplished we are, our relationship status, or the amount of funds in our bank accounts. And he pursues, continuously. He is relentless.
The recovery process begins with a prayer. Lord, I come humbly before you with a heart crying out for more. I long to bear purity and righteousness as fixtures of my soul. I have used pornography as a substitute for true intimacy. Forgive me. I ask now that you begin a process of cleansing and restoration in me. Renew my mind. Show me beauty. Show me beauty in me. Remind me of your tireless pursuit of me. Reveal it through nature. Reveal it through your Word. I am ready to be revealed. Thank you for being my rock, my sword, and my shield. Thank you for being the lover of my soul. May we be joined together, forever. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.
My sisters, He is with you. I stand with you in this fight for a reclaiming of your hearts and minds. Let's rejoice now, knowing that the battle's already been fought and won, and that we have overcome.
