Turning Sexual Temptation Into A Blessing

[Iwanthealthyhair67]

21 Jul, 2014 Crystal Smith

Dear God: Thank you for showing me the way out of temptation and into the blessing and discipline of singleness.

Abstinence. Celibacy. Single. Married. Divorced. They are all words.
More importantly, they are all choices.

And more often than not, they are related to that three letter word that so many people have trouble discussing.
Sex.

I did not wake up one morning and decide “I’m not going to have sex for seven years”.

I did not suddenly decide, “I think I am going to stop dating for a while.”
I DID wake up one morning after having sex with someone I wasn’t married to yet madly in love with and cry my eyes out.

It wasn’t the first time. He never noticed my silent tears.
The agony of immeasurable pleasure combined with unbearable guilt.

But my soul was tired.

I wasn’t mad at men.

I was tired of enjoying the best sex ever and IMMEDIATELY feeling
disconnected from the one I love the most: GOD.

I was tired of starting my prayers with “God, I’m sorry, I did it again and it’s really hard for me to stay away because I LOVE him.”

I was tired of not feeling free to take my problems to God because I KNEW

I was INTENTIONALLY sinning.

I was tired of trying to ignore God whispering in my ear as I got myself all dressed up and smelling good for my booty call.

And most importantly, I was tired of not enjoying the full benefits of living a life COMPLETELY lived for God.

It wasn’t random sex.

It was someone I loved more than I had ever loved before.

I was monogamous.

But, I ended the relationship.

When it was over, I was sad. I even tried to go back.

I couldn’t understand how I could hurt so much.

I couldn’t understand how we both could love each other so much and not find a way to make it work.

I couldn’t understand why I could feel so convicted for doing something that felt so good, so spiritual.

But, I KNEW: I NEEDED to obey God.

What was I to do? Go find another man to sleep with?

Nope. It would not have been the same. I only wanted that man.

I realized that each time I gave my body to that man, I was taking something away from God.

I was also depriving myself. Depriving myself of a clean conscience.

It didn’t matter what others around me did. I knew what God told ME!

After that, when a man approached me, I turned him down. I needed to learn the art of discipline.

I had spent so many years of my life, using my body for my OWN pleasure, that I knew I needed to do some SOUL CLEANSING.

So I took it one day at a time. One guy at a time. One No at a time. And now, I have not only days of celibacy, I have YEARS of celibacy.

Discipline.

Do I miss a relationship? Yup!

Do I desire companionship? Yup.

But, this time, I’m waiting on God.

Are there times I want sex?

Um, heck YEAH!

I KNOW what I NEED, WANT and DESERVE in a relationship and I won’t settle anymore.

And as I learned discipline, guess what happened?

I found my purpose.

I honed my talents.

I made new friends with similar interests.

I focused.

I created an online radio show.

I pursued my writing career.

I had a successful television career.

I started my own business.

And I got closer to God than I ever imagined possible.

I hear him more clearly.

The nights of staining my pillow with tears of guilt and shame are long gone.

I know people like to say, “just give it to God”.

The truth is: It doesn’t happen in an instant.

It’s a DAILY DECISION.

So, if people ridicule you for being celibate, ignore the ignorance.
The orgasm they enjoy for a moment, can’t compete with God’s everlasting love!

Even in my initial walk towards the celibate life, I slipped up a few times.

And finally, I made the decision to leave.

And that meant no more sex.

I once went a month, then three months and FINALLY I learned to STOP counting how long it’s been since I’ve “had some”.

I started counting how long my body has belonged to God!

And now, I’m eagerly anticipating that man, my future husband that God has in store JUST for me.

Because I am disciplined.

And obedience is better than a sacrifice.

Source

 

[Iwanthealthyhair67]

this story really blessed me, I know it can be done because I've been doing it (not doing it for) for almost 10 years.... I hope it bless you and encourages those who are waiting .

 

[Shimmie]

this story really blessed me, I know it can be done because I've been doing it (not doing it for) for almost 10 years.... I hope it bless you and encourages those who are waiting .

I'm sorry Healthy Hair... The comment was adorable and fitly spoken.

The clarity was inescapable for there are some who may read it as 'active' and not inactive.

The article is indeed a blessing.

 

[JaneBond007]

I know that I cannot remain in good standing with our Church and participate in the sacraments if I commit the mortal sin unrepented, thereby losing salvific grace. I'm in the dating sphere again, cleared. I was faithful to my marriage and didn't go through the entire annulment process because of his death, but I want the most blessings possible on my future marriage and that is why I followed the rules of my Church. Mostly, well, because I just followed G-d and He has been very merciful. So, now that I'm "there," there are many temptations and I will resist. Even if there is failure, I'll just get right back up and follow Him some more. We're to get right back up. But I know I cannot look my children in the face if I teach them one thing and I am doing the opposite. So, I don't do the opposite. Granted, I play around on here sometimes in threads, joking around, and there are desires (I ain't dead down there ) but no man touches my precious garden of flowers. I want the best blessings on my future marriage. Sometimes, you just have to say, "I'm not going to do this."