Trials and temptations revisited

Okay, so back to the issue of getting one's dh back on the wagon. Every situation is as unique as our past, our faith, our upbringing, our peers, our emotional issues, and on and on and on. There are groups on the internet where you can read posts and ask questions of people going thru the same thing. You can get counseling, but be careful. Not all counseling is helpful, some may only exacerbate the whole situation. In our situation, it is going to be a combination of dh having an accountability person that will truly hold him accountable, but love him all the while; asking God to lighten the temptation and asking people to pray about this (you're right, this means people will know our family is not perfect. So be it. It is what it is (again thanking my wonderful friend for this adage) ; blocking the tv and internet from further temptations (check out K9, it's free, and it even barks!) ; checking on the medications and making any changes needed; learning how to see signs of danger or bipolar episodes that seem to coincide with the porn problem; digging into the Word to recall verses about how Satan roams the Earth like a lion looking for those he can devour, about putting on the full armor of God, about not giving place to the devil, about keeping pure, about how He is faithful to forgive our sins when we confess them, etc, etc, etc. Note I am not giving the verses here. If you need these, you need to search them out yourself. Look up the key words in the back of your bible and you should be able to find them, or perhaps He will lead you elsewhere.

Now, being in this situation feels just like being a video game character on it's last life. I know I waffled between anger, hurt, betrayal, trying to figure out the reason, etc. Knowing Satan was involved but that God would use it somehow for good was a comfort, but difficult to keep in the forefront of my thoughts. Sleep felt like the most comfortable thing to do, but that's just a way to escape. I am so thankful that we have Christian friends that love us and are willing to talk to me and or dh, as well as offer help and encouragement. I am thankful also that dh does want things to change, is open to both encouraging and tough love accountability. I believe that dh, in the 50's range of life, with hormonal medical issues and the porn issue beginning at the same time, is a man that easily and unwittingly can fall prey to that roaming lion. I also believe that dh will find peace only when surrounded by prayer, walking as close to God as he can, minute by minute, wearing the armor of God. It won't be easy even then, but without each of those things, would be impossible. There are two books called, "Every Man's Battle", and, "Every Heart Restored", that may be helpful. As always, remember that these books are not the Bible, written by people. So be discerning, ask God to let the good info sink in, and any poor info to not make it past your eyes.

Again, even though some pretend otherwise, our lives are not perfect. We all have sin. We often find ourselves on the wrong path. I share my life here, with all of it's reality. How can we repair and clean something we hide, in the darkness, alone?