Did we tell you it has been 10 years? Start a 10 year fundraising page and join us in in June in San Diego. I wrote a few weeks about about IMPACT, Shellie writes today about controversy. Enjoy.
The Amplified Version of Proverbs 16:33 speaks to the fact that while we may cast our lot, even things that seem like accidents are of the Lord. It wasn’t until our new website launched last fall that I noticed one of those “holy coincidences”: that in January, five years ago, I decided to embark upon the journey of sexual abstinence and less than a month later, Craig and I discussed doing what was then called the “Butterflies” blog on the site for women struggling with sexual sin.
And while I have been honored to share the platform and be able to meet and counsel many over the years, the verse in James 5:16 still holds true: that there is *healing* in confession—both on the giving and receiving end. I Timothy 4:14-16 (AMP) is a winner as well because there is a line in it that says that in paying attention to our testimony *and personality*, we can save us and those who hear us. I know this, on so many levels, to be true.
In these five years, serving alongside so many others, there have been many light bulb moments while pulling back the many, *many* layers of porn and sexual addiction. Like most things in this life, it’s not as black-and-white or cut-and-dried as many may like to think. Porn is complicated. Sex is complicated. Lust is complicated. And the many emotions, challenges and levels of healing and self-discovery are also…complicated.
Especially, I personally believe, when it comes to women who are in the struggle.
All of our faces may be different, but something that I have come to realize (and accept) is that whether she’s in front of or behind the camera, whether she’s the “actress” or the one viewing her, if you take just a moment (or two or ten) to get to know the woman *beyond the porn*, there tends to be some general commonalities: fear, brokenness, self-esteem battles, unanswered questions about sexuality and the purpose of it, guilt, remorse and…a desire for better. A better life. A better self. Outside of what illicit sex masquerades. Because, indeed, would we be so easily seduced by something that causes so much inner turmoil, conflict and questions if somewhere there wasn’t a void? That needs to be filled.
And that is what I think is so beautiful about this ministry. We don’t claim to have all of the answers; just the heart to want to help. In any way that we can. Which is a good thing because when you read about Christ’s journey while on this earth, what he did, most consistently, was healed. *Christianity is about healing*. I love how it says in Isaiah 61, this commission: “He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted… To proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” Sin binds us. And breaks us. John 8:32 tells us that it’s truth that makes us free.
Porn and sexual addiction are a startling epidemic. It won’t change overnight. But as long as there are those who are willing to provide truth—godly truth, with the hope for healing and freedom are not lost. Romans 5:5 tells us that hope does not disappoint. I think that’s what has kept Craig and the crew going…10 years. And prayerfully, for many more to come.
Hoping for healing with the help of truth.
Yes, even about controversial issues. Like porn.
©Shellie R. Warren/2011