The injured athlete
The Google definition of tackling in American football is: “to stop the forward progress of (the ball carrier) by seizing them and knocking them to the ground.” Sometimes in knocking the ball carrier to the ground someone gets injured. The injured athlete’s movement is restricted and they are on the bench until their movement has been restored. The athlete works hard on their recovery, using all the resources available, so that they can get back in the game they love. They want to get their career back on track and get back to living the life of their dreams.
Athletes know that not pushing through and overcoming from their wounds could lead to being dropped by their team, and not picked up by another team. They are not all that interested in opening up a car dealership. They want to play great football, make big money, be famous, and live a full life to the max! And why not?
John 10:10- Jesus said: I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (ESV)
Your journey to healing
Unlike the football player’s injury, men who are in sexual sin may have emotional injuries. The thing about sexual sin is that we may not be injured physically, but we are injured and not realize it. We’re limping around spiritually and mentally. We are trying, in vain, to ease the pain, of an unrecognized injury, through sexual sins; be it porn, serial affairs, lust, or whatever. It’s not really working, and makes us feel worse with the guilt and shame.
We may be caught in a sin cycle because we are trying to feel better without understanding we need to work on uncovering our injury and allowing it to be healed. We need help figuring out what our injury is and how we can get better. It’s time we get started finding out what the injury is, and moving on with our recovery.
Unlike recovery from a football injury, as a Christian man, we have to understand that this is a spiritual battle, and we need to turn our will and our lives over to Christ. We need to surrender this battle to Him. On our own, we cannot win. We have tried before on own and felt weak, but when we are weak, he is strong. As it says in 2 Corinthians 12:9:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (ESV)
Get started now
Get started today. I invite you to get my book, Live Pure and Free and get a second copy for a friend. Together, take the 90 day challenge going through the 90 devotions together and discussing your answers to the “Take Action” questions. There is room in the book to write out your answers to the workbook questions. Use the feelings list in the Appendix of the book to help you identify your feelings. As you work through the 90 days you will draw closer to God than you have ever been before. You will also have a better understanding of who you are.
Let me know how you are doing on the 90 day challenge and contact me if you have any questions as you work through it.
Live Pure and Free is available from Amazon and directly from Tristan Publishing
Amazon link:
Tristan Publishing link:
https://tristanpublishing.com/products/live-pure-and-free
Photo credit: Photo by Keith Johnston on Unsplash
Dave Howe.org 
Such an important message for today. There are so many walking wounded.
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Nancy: Thank you for your comment. Yes, there are so many walking wounded people.
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Unfortunately, our world is full of hurting people. We all need to learn to reach out to the hurting so we can make a difference
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Yvonne: Yes, there are a lot of hurting people. It does not take long to find that out as you talk to people about what is really going on in their life. Thanks for your comment.
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Glad to see a “Take Action” section. Not just words. Thanks.
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Thanks, Beth. Yes, the Take Action part asks the man probing questions to help him personalize the devotion. The book is the result of me leading men’s purity groups at our church for 10 years and gaining a lot of insight in the process.
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I love a good analogy, and this is SPOT ON! I feel like so many will have ‘a-ha’ moments when reading this and hopefully stop trying to deal with the symptoms of their ‘injury’ and instead begin the hard work of real healing.
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Susan:
Thank you. You got it exactly! I do pray that many will have that ‘a-ha’ moment.
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Very powerful message.
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Thank you!
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Thank you for this message. Porn destroyed my marriage; I couldn’t compete with the airbrushed. I pray many men check out your book and ministry.
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I’m so sorry to hear about your marriage. Thank you for your encouragement.
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Great message!
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Thanks, Julie.
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This is great that you’re opening up the conversation for this. It’s so needed for men – especially Christian men. And I think it’s awesome that you have resources as well. I’m going to share this with whoever I know needs it.
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Thanks, Afi. Yes, please share the post.
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I love your message about healing and living pure. Thank you!
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Thanks, Jessica for your comments.
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Thank you for your bold, courageous ministry! I was devastated by another’s choice not to give up pornography. May God bless your ministry and I pray for willing hearts and healing for all who are impacted by porn.
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Thank you, Peggy, for your prayers and your encouragement!
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Very needed ministry to those caught in this sin. It’s heartbreaking to see so many marriages suffer from this. You are spot on with this statement, “We may be caught in a sin cycle because we are trying to feel better without understanding we need to work on uncovering our injury and allowing it to be healed.” Great post!
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Thank you, Marcie for your encouragement!
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Great stuff Dave! If people like this post, they should definitely pick up your book!!
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Thanks, Paul.
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