GOD'S AMAZING MERCY
1 Timothy 1:15-16 “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.”
Some people say you need a safe place to share your hurts, habits, and mistakes. I believe to be truly free we need to share our hurts, habits, and mistakes with everyone and if we are truly free, we can do so without fear of what others might think. While we shouldn’t live in the past, sharing our past can bring about healing to the brokenhearted, give hope to those that may need it most, and bring glory to God. I pray my transparency is healing, encouraging and contagious. Hi my name is Jason. I have messed up a lot in this life! As a young child I grew up watching porn so lusting after woman was all I knew. I was so addicted to it that it nearly cost me my first marriage. No matter what I did, no matter how hard I tried, I was a slave to it. I cried out to God over and over again for Him to help me yet I found myself unable to climb out. Why didn’t He hear my cries? Why couldn’t I get out? Through the years I white knuckled it the best I could. I would have stretches of good behavior but I would always slide right back in. I learned the bitter truth that man’s willpower is no match for the spirit world. After years of crying out God did something amazing. He took my wife from me. Through unimaginable pain, God taught me what it meant to truly surrender. When we truly surrender God’s power enables us to overcome. We sometimes get mad at God for taking a loved one from us but I don’t know of anything else that would have brought me to my knees the way that did. Now 11 years later I look back on my life as if I have lived 2 very different stories. The first story I recall my accomplishments, the fun that I had, and the roller coaster of emotions I felt. The second story, the one I am living now, is full of amazing stories, beautiful friendships, and an incredible peace and joy. The porn no longer controls me. That is not to say that I live a perfect life. If I am not careful, if I stray from God for one minute, I could find myself right back in the muck. If I had to go through the pain of losing my wife all over again to find what I have now, I would without hesitation. If God asked me to die today to give the gift I received to someone else I would say yes. It does not matter where you are, what you have done, or what controls you. There is always hope. You can try to use willpower, diets, psychology, books, or any other man made invention to get you free or you can go to the ONE that truly sets you free. I thought I was strong but I am a weak man. I tried it on my own and I failed big time. 2 Corinthians 12:10 “That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Cry out to the one that is stronger than the world. Ask God to have His way with you. We are all weak and there will always be problems that are more than we can handle on our own. It’s God’s perfect design. Either we choose Him and receive life, or we choose a life without Him that brings pain, heartache, and misery. Embrace your weaknesses and realize there is only one way to true success, fulfillment, peace, and life…Jesus Christ. |
WITHOUT GOD I AM JUST DIRT IN A DARK ATTIC.
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