SHOWNOTES FOR EPISODE 011
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In a previous blog I shared “Going to Counseling For the First Time – Fears and Truths” . This time I wanted to share some of the thoughts and fears I had the first time I went to my sexual support group.
There are a lot of different sexual recovery groups around.
- S.A.
- S.A.A.
- Celebrate Recovery
- Men’s Groups at Churches
Here are some of my fears followed by the truths I experienced:
I THOUGHT THE GROUP WOULD BE MADE OF PERVERTS AND WEIRDOS
Truth – Group is full of average guys that look just like me. They have very similar stories and backgrounds. Some are more extreme, some are less extreme.
I FELT LIKE I WAS TURNING A MAJOR CORNER BY STEPPING INTO A GROUP
Truth – Group is a big step for any person, but it is not extreme or rare. People go to groups all the time. Many people recognize the need in their lives for support groups. Everybody has junk. We are not as in control of our lives as we think we are.
IT COMMITED ME TO A NEW LEVEL OF RISK
Truth – Group is a new risk. It is a set of new relationships that you will have to learn to build trust with.
IT MEANT I HAD TO SHARE MY STORY WITH OTHERS – I was not used to sharing my story. I was so fearful of what people would think. Would they judge me? Would they think I was sick or messed up? Would I fit in?
Truth – Sharing your story is a very important step to getting better.
** In our recovery group, a person is allowed to just sit and listen. He is not forced to say anything. During my first group, I just listened. Even though these guys were telling my story, I waited until the next week to share.
I THOUGHT BECAUSE I WAS A MINISTER, PEOPLE WOULD LOOK DOWN ON ME
Truth – The guys in my group were actually encouraged to hear a minister sharing his struggles. The guys in Group know that most guys struggle on some level with pornography – ministers included. Many just do not want to admit they need help. Sometimes we could talk on different levels because I was a minister sharing my struggles.
GETTING THE COURAGE TO GO TO GROUP
· I knew I needed something more.
· My efforts were not enough.
· I had heard how good groups could be.
· I figured I would go once and give it a try. I didn’t have to go back unless I wanted to.
· It would be over in 2 hours.
· I might find it really helpful.
Resources
www.porntopurity.com (Main Website)
http://porntopurity.wordpress.com (Porn to Purity Blog)
The 104 Podcast
Top tips for sexual purity. The meat. Get to the most important stuff in bite-sized pieces.
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