This is from the most recent e-Newsletter from Jayson Graves and Healing for the Soul.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just pray a prayer to have God press some magic button in the sky and all our troubles would be taken care of? In fact, have you ever seen the recent “Easy button” commercials on TV? My favorite one is the ancient Asian warrior sitting on his horse with an army charging hard at him. As the army gets closer and closer he sits calmly on his horse with an ornate little wooden box on his lap. Just as the army is about to reach him, he opens the box and a red button with the word “Easy” on it is revealed. He presses this easy button and all of a sudden, a wall comes up out of the ground…but the wall comes up behind him! 

Magic Button vs. a Process
I think this is part of the reason God doesn’t use magic buttons: in our humanity, we’d probably find a way to mess things up. But more importantly, as I’ve found in my own journey of reaching out to God for help, He likes to use a process to help us grow. Why? Well, God is a relational God. He’s a God who chooses to walk with us through a problem rather than just zap it away. This is how he gets Glory-by making his strength perfect in our weaknesses and then using that glory to draw people unto himself, just like he used his glory to draw you and me to him when we were saved.

Healing-Body, Mind & Spirit
So, we have a choice: continue with our magical thinking, praying that all too familiar prayer that sounds something like “God, will you please take this issue away from me?” or choosing to partner with him in the healing process. What do I mean by partnering? Well, prayer is important, but it’s not the only resource God gives us for the healing journey. Yes, it’s important to prayerfully ask God each day to partner with us at the beginning of the day and prayerfully thank him for how he did help us each day at the end. But the bible says we’re created with more than just a spirit so we need more than just spiritual answers. We are to ‘be sanctified body, mind and spirit” as it says in first Thessalonians 5:23.

Accepting that biblical reality can be the first step towards a more holistic healing-a healing that’s characterized by solutions for the body, for the mind and heart as well as for the spirit. We can begin to explore and realize the positive benefits of things like physical exercise and appropriate physical affirmation like hugs from friends. We can learn about and employ techniques for controlling our mind and caring for our feelings and emotions. In this way, we’re not only experiencing fullness in life which lends to a better context for healing but we’re honoring the way that God created us:

Connecting your life
Now it’s important that we get some support and accountability in this process so connecting with a therapist and a group can only help the partnership. A therapist can be God’s vessel of healing in helping to expose things like unhealthy life patterns, family issues and flawed coping methods and function as an advocate or guide, giving us perspective, objectivity and feedback as well as ideas and things to try. 

A good group where people are committed to showing up, being real by putting their cards on the table and telling each other the truth in love is also part of the partnership God uses. In his book “Healing Is A Choice,” my friend Steve Arterburn identifies one of the key healing choices we can make as the choice to connect our life. Connecting with others is like letting God use people as “Jesus with skin on” in our lives. So, don’t be afraid: put your life in the light and see what God can do! In James 5:16 He promises us that when we confess our sins to each other, we’re healed. We need him for forgiveness and we need the people he sends us for healing.

Well, I trust this helps you and brings you hope! Remember, partnering with God in the healing process involves abandoning magical ways of thinking, dealing with our struggles body, mind and spirit and connecting with others in accountability for help. So get real and get plugged-in 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!

If you are are interested in getting into a sex addiction recovery group, we have a partnership with Jayson Graves and Healing for the Soul to offer telephone-based recovery groups. Be sure to check them out and get the help you need!