Jun 20, 2024
Episode Summary:
With one in five mobile searches being for pornography, it may
be more prevalent than you think. Jody Allen shares her story, her
pain, her wounds, and her sacred scars that resulted from her
husband’s addiction to pornography. Tune in as Jody offers hope and
strategies for overcoming the deep wounds caused by porn
addiction.
Quotables from the episode:
- Pornography can create emotional, relational, and spiritual
wounds.
- I felt betrayed because I was living with someone who’s
behavior was inconsistent with who he was.
- I lived a constant cycle of regret, apology, relapse, and
feeling unimportant which created emotional wounds.
- Nothing can prepare a person for the breakup of the
family.
- When God didn’t answer my prayers the way I wanted him to
answer, that brought about spiritual wounds. Because when the God
of the universe, the one who hates divorce, doesn’t answer your
prayers in a way that is consistent with his will and pro-marriage,
it leads to disappointment.
- One in five mobile searches is actually for pornography.
- My husband’s pornography addiction caused me so much
shame.
- We answered all the “what if” questions, and came to the
conclusion that we would ultimately be okay if we trusted God.
- Guilt, shame, and condemnation does not come from our Heavenly
Father but from the Father of Lies.
- Shame made me believe that people were judging me and left me
feeling like I wasn’t good enough.
- The wound is the open painful place that is festering and hurts
so bad. But once we have a scar, it doesn’t hurt as much. It’s the
place where healing has taken place. It doesn’t mean we forget the
pain of the wound, it just means that it doesn’t have the same hold
on us.
- As part of my role as a women’s ministry leader, I didn’t feel
I could expect other women to share their story if I wasn’t willing
to share my own story. Those hard years were preparation for my
future ministry.
- The enemy wants to isolate us from others to shut us up.
- Satan is an equal opportunist. He is so sly and wants us to
believe in any area of sin that “just once” doesn’t matter.
- We don’t have to squeak by. We don’t have to get to the other
side of our pain and just survive. We can thrive. We can get to the
other side of our pain and heartache and flourish. Pain doesn’t
have to win. Pornography doesn’t have to win. Divorce doesn’t have
to win.
- Let us take the best things from our time of pain and
suffering…maybe it’s a fresh perspective, new skills, or a fresh
start. If we know Jesus, we have the potential to get to the other
side of our heartache and be whole and even be happy on the other
side of it.
Scripture References:
Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your
heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given you the
spirit of fear, but of power, love, and sound mind.”
Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God
intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the
saving of many lives.”
Exodus 12:36 “The Lord caused the Egyptians to
look favorably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites
whatever they asked for. So they stripped the Egyptians of their
wealth!”
Recommended Resources:
Social Media Links for Guest and Host:
Connect with Jody Allen:
Website /
Facebook
/ Instagram
For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:
Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip /
Order Book Hope Prevails /
Website
/ Blog
/ Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)
/ LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube
Guest:
Jody Allen serves as the Director of Women’s Ministry at her
church, where she offers hope and a dose of humor to women in her
church and community. Ten years in ministry has allowed her the
opportunity to teach workshops, lead small groups, speak at women’s
events, and walk alongside women in crisis. Jody’s goal is to point
women to Jesus in a relatable and authentic way.
Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson