[__ Prayer __] Crowds and girls and stuff.

[YosefHayim]

Salutations


I am asking for prayers concerning a personal matter of mine. Throughout time I've struggled passim with pornography. On top of that, I've faced bullying over the years through school so I have a twofold social hindrance. The first being general the latter being gender. I have many insecurities that overwhelm me in social situations. I was even diagnosed with a mild case of Aspergers. Now, with all the glory to my God and savior, Jesus Christ; I've overcome many obstacles. In fact, the change has been night and day from my lowest point until now. Howbeit I still face challenges.

Thus I ask for prayers that porn will no longer tempt me or encumber me. I ask for prayer that I would be able to not just socialize, but to assert my self, and step out of the "safe" or "comfort" zone that I may form form friendships shewing forth the love of Jesus Christ to girls. And pray that thenceforth, with the love of Jesus Christ within me, past pornography struggles will not be dentrimental, nor degrading to my view of women.

There's only one person I legitimately hang out with. A few other people I only converse with at church or Bible study, but not outside of that. Seldom do I talk to girls, and there isn't one I could call a friend, for I don't know how to communicate to them and have insecurities telling me I don't even deserve to have a female friend

Meanwhile, send forth some prayers to God for the men and women ensnared both in porn addiction, and also in the satanic porn industry.

Praise and glory be to the God of Abraham and Moses for endurance through hardships, affirmations when doubting, and lifting us up when we fall. Praise and thanksgiving be given unto him for he is just and faithful, forgiving our sins when we confess. The LORD is good, his mercy is everlasting and his truth endures to all generations.

May our tongues and our lips forever exalt Yah in the name of Jesus Christ. May our knees bow before him, and our hearts love and fear him. Blessed be the One who has conquered sin and death.

Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalm 46:10-11

Forever rejoice in the Lord Jesus.
May the grace and peace of God be with you all.

 

[reba]

He is able.

 

[Claudya]

I'll be praying for you. I can relate to both issues, although I have no problems with porn I have had a number of addictions. Thus I know addictions can be beaten, even more so with the Lord on your side. Acknowledging your addiction is a good first step. Many people afflicted by addictions never even reach that first step. But by acknowledging it and wanting to change you have already started the change.
As for the social insecurity issue, I know that very well.
I could tell you girls are just normal people, and if friendship is all you want then you can talk to them in a normal way (flirting is a different matter, but since you said you want female friends I guess this isn'tabout flirting). But I guess you already know that and knowing it doesn't help you. What you'd need is experience and practice in addition to knowledge. Is there a way you could go through a cognitive behavioural therapy for social anxiety? It wouldn't switch off your fears, but it'd help you actually do the things that you are afraid off (and by doing them you will bit by bit lose your fears).
Anyway I'll be praying for you. May God help you unlearn your fear and become able to reach out for life and taste its fulness that Jesus has promised to all of us.

 

[AirDancer]

You're in my prayers, YosefHayim. Keep focused on studying/reading Scripture, and further your relationship with our Lord. He will provide for you, according to His will and His time.

Claudya has made a good suggestion as well, about a cognitive behavioral therapy. This might be called a Shyness Removal group or something similar which are offered through some health clinics or hospitals. (No, you wouldn't be a patient, just a member of an out-reach program.) Another suggestion: your local library might offer special events, like a writer's group, a book club, basically small groups that meet on a regular or semi-regular basis. These groups can help with overcoming shyness and feelings of unworthiness, because communication amongst the members is important.

Be blessed!

 

[YosefHayim]

I'll be praying for you. I can relate to both issues, although I have no problems with porn I have had a number of addictions. Thus I know addictions can be beaten, even more so with the Lord on your side. Acknowledging your addiction is a good first step. Many people afflicted by addictions never even reach that first step. But by acknowledging it and wanting to change you have already started the change.
As for the social insecurity issue, I know that very well.
I could tell you girls are just normal people, and if friendship is all you want then you can talk to them in a normal way (flirting is a different matter, but since you said you want female friends I guess this isn'tabout flirting). But I guess you already know that and knowing it doesn't help you. What you'd need is experience and practice in addition to knowledge. Is there a way you could go through a cognitive behavioural therapy for social anxiety? It wouldn't switch off your fears, but it'd help you actually do the things that you are afraid off (and by doing them you will bit by bit lose your fears).
Anyway I'll be praying for you. May God help you unlearn your fear and become able to reach out for life and taste its fulness that Jesus has promised to all of us.

Thank you, everyone.

I already see a psychologist. And your right about the "knowing doesn't help" part. I guess I feel like some perv creep girls out. At the same time
Undeserving of friendship, and like some sort of unfun "buzz kill"...

Albeit, a book I read recently called Isolating Insecurities is helping me shed some of those insecurities, and helped aknowledge what they are and how they consume you.

Thank you for the prayers and encouragement everyone. Grace and peace of God be with you all.

 

[Sparkey]

My thought is that you've rightly connected the shyness and the coping method that our body and desire invents and/or allows. Pardon as I speak to you those things known: That there is a promised place of peace which our God shall perform for each of us. That's a real place and we are each being drawn there. That tested and sure place from where our Savior declared, "My peace I give to you," and He went on to say, "Not as the world gives, give I..."

Great hope is given here. Hope that inspires and causes us to climb out of the familiar places of misery toward our calling, our place, prepared for us where the Holy Spirit is allowed to minister to each of us according to the greatness of His Mercy. You know what I'm talking about and I know that I'm just here putting you in remembrance of this. It is no trouble for me to do so. Grab (it's okay, Jacob did it!) onto the promise. It's the same promise that delivers us from all temptations and this is the bread that we are joined to when we join ourselves into that prayer of power, offered by way of example, from the Son to the Father -- for us to know and to realize, "Give us this day..."

Amen, Jesus. From your mouth to God's ear. That it may be done here even as it is done in heaven.

Grace and peace of God be with you all.

My prayer: That your blessing, given from the heart, is reflected to your heart. That your day of rejoicing may be full.

Amen... am calling in the Name that this prayer be witnessed by the King of all accomplishment and the host of Heaven who celebrates you.

Lord we welcome You here. Fill Your house with Your GLORY,

my Ishi (husband), we need You each day. Let Your Spirit come O Lord that the Mind of Christ be formed in us this day. And here we are, giving our thanks to You. As we pray and worship your Holy Name, you are here, dwelling within our praise. For love that hears us when we call. You have always been right beside us, leading us all along the way. We make it through because of You. Now is the time of harvest and we need rain, that we may come into the fullness of the measure and stature wherein we are called. You inhabit the praises of Your people. You're here with us right now.

Come, have Your way.​

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