Can Asking God for Help Really Stop a Pornography Addiction?

A man reaching out for help

Breaking addictive behavior can feel like trying to swim with an anvil tied to your leg. As someone who has navigated this challenging journey, I've discovered comfort in knowing I am not alone. One of the most encouraging aspects of my recovery has been turning to God because God has the power to break the anvil. In this post, we'll explore why reaching out to a higher power can be vital for those of us striving for sobriety from lust and pornography.

Understanding the Role of a God in Your Journey

I'm writing this post from the perspective of a follower of Jesus, but the ideas and principles I will lay out can apply to anyone regardless of their beliefs. It's hard to win the battle against lust on your own. We've discussed the need for a mentor/sponsor and a support group. Now, we turn to the supernatural. The reason why God must be involved in this is that we need a power outside of ourselves to turn to concerning our addictive behavior. If we could heal ourselves, it would have been done by now. If we could change our behavior alone, it would have been changed by now. The truth is that we can't do it alone. We have to acknowledge that. We have to admit that whatever power we have inside to change isn't enough. We must recognize that there must be a power outside of us that is powerful enough to change us because it is possible. I am living proof of that.

For me, that power is Christ Jesus, and his story is described in the Bible, aka the word of God. I believe I am a child of God, and God takes care of his children just like a normal parent. No mother or father would watch their daughter or son struggle with an addiction and not do everything in their power to help them. The thing is, the child has to want the parent's help.

Many people seeking sobriety find comfort in this concept. It fosters a connection to something greater than themselves. A good recovery program will include seeking God because it's one of the most critical parts of the recovery process. When the shadows of addiction loom large, believing in Jesus' power can inject them with hope and light that overcomes that shadow. Understanding God's role is realizing that God is the one from whom your healing and freedom come.

Why Asking God for Help Works

The act of asking for God's help embodies humility. It's about recognizing that we've been struggling and accepting the limits of our willpower. By leaning on Jesus' power, we can shed the burdens we've carried too long. Even Jesus himself said: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30. There were times during my recovery journey when I was tired. I felt worn down and beaten up by the addiction. In those times, I had to learn to take my problems to God. What that means is talking directly to Him via prayer. When I pray, I am completely honest and let Him know what I feel, even if it is hopelessness. We have to remember that God's power is unfathomable. Healing you or me is a small thing to Him, so go to Him regularly with your unwanted habits because He has the power to change them.

God's word is also a place where we can go when we need encouragement. Going to God for help and forgiveness gives us a feeling of a fresh start. Knowing that Jesus atoned for our sins is a beautiful thing. It doesn't absolve us from the consequences or the need to improve, but it demonstrates God's love towards us as his children.

I wouldn't be here without God's help. There were plenty of nights when I wanted to give up, but I would remind myself that nothing is impossible for God. I'd remind myself that I am on a journey and God is with me. Just look at how far he's brought me. If you're starting, look at the fact that he has opened your eyes to the need for help. You can be set free from pornography use, but you need God's power to do it.

Building a Spiritual Practice

If we want to take advantage of all God offers, we must spend time with Him. Like any other relationship, the more time you spend with someone, the closer you become. A relationship with God is no different, and we spend time with God through prayer and reading the Bible.

It's challenging for people to do that consistently. I myself struggle with it at times, but here are some recovery-specific tips I'll give you for building spiritual discipline.

• Create a go-to prayer or daily prayer

• Create a go-to list of scriptures

• Find an accountability partner comfortable praying for you about this area of your life.

Create a go-to prayer

Find a prayer that is simple, easy to recite, and easy to remember. The prayer that I've used in recovery groups is called the "serenity prayer." It's a simple but powerful prayer. It goes like this:

The Serenity Prayer

Create a go-to list of scriptures

The Bible is packed full of powerful scriptures that can be read, memorized, or recited to encourage and remind us of God's role in our recovery. Here are some of my go-to scriptures:

• James 1:12 states, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."

• James 1:19: My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

• 1 Corinthians 10:13: No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

  
  

If you're a follower of Jesus, you probably know that sexual immorality is a sin. It's a prevalent sin that many people struggle with. Even Jesus himself was tempted in that way since the Bible clearly states that he was tempted in every way known to man, but yet was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). This makes connecting with Jesus even more crucial because he understands the temptation we are faced with and knows how to overcome it.

In my daily practice, I dedicate a few minutes each morning to prayer, asking God to help keep my eyes where they need to be and my computer history clean. I've noticed that I feel more at peace and less tempted when I start my day like this.

Reflecting on the Healing Power of Faith

Through my experience, I've found that asking God to heal me has been an essential element of my recovery. We have to have faith if we want God to heal us. Faith is us giving God permission to step in and remove the chains of addiction from our lives. Talking to God demonstrates our faith in Him and His ability to deliver us. Throughout my life, I've found that talking with God consistently can build our confidence to know that we have control over the addiction and not the other way around. The only way to overcome this is with God's power, but we have to have faith that God can turn us into overcomers.