Personally, I can relate with that feeling of being trapped. I’ve been there and I’ve found ways to get beyond that place of being trapped. With God’s help, there is hope for you, like there was hope for me.

There are a few key things to realize and steps to take…allow me share a few of these things that helped me and countless others.

1. Realize that this is not just a spiritual issue. The bible says in I Thessalonians 5:23 “be sanctified body, mind and spirit.” So, it would have been a mistake to just keep praying about this or just reading my bible more or talking to my pastor. All of these were good things for me but I had to take a broader approach. Now, whenever temptation comes around, I start by asking myself “What am I feeling?” I do a quick self-assessment with the word HALTS. H.A.L.T.S., which stand for 9 things: hungry, angry lonely, tired, sick, sad, stressed, scared and shameful. These feelings and emotions are the undercurrents of lust and porn temptation.

2. Have a plan. Once we’ve memorized HALTS and can identify what we are feeling deep down inside, we can choose to meet the valid need that the feeling represents instead of placating or trying to numb that need with lust and pornography. Try it-it works: pick out your most common trigger feelings from the list and create an action plan for yourself that goes something like this: “When I feel (blank), I need to (blank).” It could sound like this, for example: “When I feel lonely, I need to connect with a friend” or When I feel stressed, I need to do some extra exercise or deep breathing” or something like that. You just fill in the blank with something healthy that you know in advance will help you when things get tough. From there, it’s just a matter of practice.

3. Cut Your Supply Line. I had to take the Bible seriously when it says “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out.” It’s not talking literally but about a “Radical amputation” of sin in our lives. We can help this in two ways: if you use the internet, for example, make sure you have a good content filter that also provides accountability reporting, not one or the other.
4. Keep Your Life In The Light. Also, regardless of the form of porn you use, make sure your life is in the light with at least two other people who are committed enough to help you on a daily or at least weekly basis to fight the temptation. It’s preferable to find a group of people who struggle similarly rather than just depend on one “accountability partner.”

Remember, that you have to take positive steps to beat your porn addiction. With God’s help you can succeed. We were created with a body, mind and spirit so we need to care for ourselves in all three areas, especially when it comes to fighting the temptation of lust and pornography. And we can’t do it alone: no man is an island. So be smart and be brave and don’t forget: If thousands of people in recovery like me can live in victory with God’s help and the help of other warriors, so can you, my friend!

Need help? Let’s talk about it… post a comment and let us know how you’re doing.