Habits for Healing with God
If you need help seeing Jesus in the middle of your struggle, or just feel like you are stuck, ready to move into growth and healing, connect with a Christian coach.
Excerpt: Habits for Healing with God
Course: Freedom From Pornography
Speakers: Matthias Barker
Healing Wounds and Delight in God's Presence
For some of you, this course might reveal a profound truth: your struggle isn't merely a lack of willpower. It's animated by a wound, a trauma, a core need that hasn't been seen or healed.
Shifting Your Perspective
Perhaps you came seeking strategies to 'get serious,' but you're realizing it's not about a lack of faith or a personal flaw. It's about addressing the underlying wounds that drive your behavior. This reorientation is crucial. You need to solve the problems your actions are trying to address, albeit with the wrong solutions.
Two Pillars of Recovery
This might involve seeking therapy or mentorship to directly address past traumas. Alongside this, reaffirming your connection with God is vital. He is your stability, safety, and source of healing.
Balancing Grace and Effort
We must hold two truths simultaneously: Jesus has secured our salvation through His effort, and we are invited to participate in the life of the Kingdom through practical routines and practices. This isn't about earning salvation, but about enjoying it.
Transforming Spiritual Practices: From Obligation to Delight
What practices help you experience God's presence? Consider transforming your approach to scripture and prayer.
Scripture: Shift from obligation to delight. See it as a conversation with God, learning His voice and recognizing His presence.
Prayer: Move beyond confession and penance. Delight in what Christ has accomplished. Let God into every thought, discerning His voice from attachment wounds.
Feasting and Community
Explore practices of enjoyment, like feasting and community. These are spiritual disciplines, ways to nourish your soul. Instead of deprivation, consider intake of righteous things.
Nourishing Your Soul
Focus on attending to your wounds and delighting in God's presence. Embrace practices like shared meals and hospitality. Observe the effect on your heart.
Conclusion
Overcoming pornography isn't just about behavioral change. It's about holistic healing—addressing wounds, embracing God's love, and finding joy in His presence and community. By shifting our focus from self-criticism to delight, we can create lasting change and experience the fullness of God's restorative power.
If you like the content, you can continue in a few different ways…
1) See the outline below and check out other sections from the FFP course.
2) Take the full small group course to your church community! The first course your church runs is free! Reach out to us here to learn how.
3) Connect with a Share The Struggle Coach for one-on-one support. Let’s face it, some of us have tried kicking this thing, and we’ve had no luck. It’s time to start looking toward forms of support that can help us see and feel the beautiful life God has in store for us.
Freedom From Pornography
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Freedom From Pornography 〰️
Part 1: Stories of Struggle
Session 1: What is the Struggle?
Video: Introduction: Freedom from Pornography
Topics: Early Exposure and Unseen Wounds
Session 2: The People
Video: Brittni’s Story
Video: Humanizing the Struggle
Video: Safeguard your Life from Porn; Warfare Prayer to Break the Chains
Topics: The Broken People Who Make Porn; Taking Action Against Using Porn
Part 2: The Roots of Dependency versus Design
Session 3: How Does This Dependency Begin?
Video: What’s in the Search Bar
Topics: The Truth about the Industry; What’s Driving Your Porn Use
Session 4: Biblical Roots
Video: Knowing Your Enemies
Video: Rejecting Synthetic for Authentic; Looking for Patterns and Capturing Thoughts
Topics: Three Enemies; Gypsy Moth Mating Disruption; Inner Healing Prayer
Part 3: Reconnecting and Reattaching
Session 5: Reconnecting With An Authentic God
Video: Habits for Healing with God
Topics: How God Sees You; Wild Mustangs; Learn the Formula for Success
Session 6: Working On Self
Video: The Neuroscience of Addiction; What Porn Does to Your Brain
Topics: Judgement and Shame; Visceral Reactions; Your Brain’s Reaction
Session 7: Working With Others
Video: Practices for Building Community; Relationships of Trust
Topics: Communities; Who to Trust; Action Before Failure
Session 8: Healing With A Spouse
Video: Providing Helpful Accountability; Confess the Temptation, Not the Mistake
Topics: Being a Safe Listener; Sharing Safely; Listening Triad
Share The Struggle Courses
Share the Struggle Courses are topical expert led video courses to help you understand life’s greatest struggles and provide you with tools for navigating them. Moreover, STS courses create a space for you to connect with others struggling with similar things, experience belonging, and encounter God’s nearness in a place of wilderness in your life (pain, confusion, healing journey). Want to start a group at your church? Reach out to us here to learn how.
What Share The Struggle Believes
Here at Share The Struggle we believe Jesus is present with us in the middle of our pain and mess, and it is in that place that we often experience and encounter Jesus most deeply.
We understand the unique challenges faced by Christians dealing with mental health. Our mission is to bridge the gap between faith and mental health support, providing a platform where individuals can find resources, coaching support and guidance, all tailored to their spiritual life and emotional needs.
We invite you to explore our resources, share your journey, and find the support you need to overcome the struggles you face.