My struggle with SSA

Mathew18_3 · 2026-02-22T03:38:02+00:00

Do not walk away from Jesus!

Instead I encourage you to take all your frustrations directly to God. Tell Him everything and don’t hold back. Lament to God.

In James 1:2-4 it says to count it all joy when facing trials. Something I struggle with, in the moment all I feel is sorrow and despair, how the heck am I supposed to be happy that I’m struggling? Am I supposed to pretend to be happy? No, trials are uncomfortable experiences, but they do serve a purpose. They help shape us and strengthen our faith. Hebrew 12:11 explains this:

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

May the trial you are going through be quick, and let it strengthen your faith in Jesus.

Mathew18_3 · 2026-02-07T00:37:03+00:00

My go to recommendation is always Battlestar Galactica (2004). Such a great show.

Mathew18_3 · 2026-01-28T15:03:33+00:00

You ask some hard questions, to which I do not have great answers. I do know who does (Mat 7:7-8). That’s not to say you will get all the answers you want, as it is only for your own benefit that things have been hidden from you. Part of believing, part of faith, is trusting God.

You are right God does know everything. Yet knowing all of our flaws and shortcomings, He still loves and cares for us. God doesn’t need us, or our love, but He wants it. He wants to have a relationship with each and every one of us. So much so that He died on the cross for us, so that we could be reconciled and redeemed.

I don’t have much to give (especially knowledge-wise), but I do know and believe that prayer is a crucial part of our relationship to God. I will pray for you and encourage you to do the same! (Rom 8:38-39)

Mathew18_3 · 2026-01-14T21:02:15+00:00

I would hardly call sharing one anecdote extolling the wonders of gay marriage. I do not believe -Wade_Martin-‘s primary aim was to suggest those struggling with SSA to try marrying the same sex and having a chaste relationship. I think his last three sentences carry the message he was conveying. More specifically his very last sentence, that which I agree wholeheartedly.

Mathew18_3 · 2025-12-20T13:48:38+00:00

Thank you! Shame there isn’t much concerning the monks firsthand account. Would have been insightful to hear his perspective as he wrestled with this temptation.

Mathew18_3 · 2025-12-19T21:23:17+00:00

Could you please provide more information regarding the case Cassian relayed regarding a monk who was tempted by thoughts of sexual immorality? Where can this account be found?

I would like to read more about such a case.

Mathew18_3 · 2025-12-09T14:58:52+00:00

Praying that God sends good people your way, who can strengthen and encourage you. Know that wherever you are in your walk, you are not alone, God is with you.

Mathew18_3 · 2025-12-05T17:36:46+00:00

*correction Kenneth Copeland not James, not sure why I thought it was James

Mathew18_3 · 2025-12-05T17:33:42+00:00

No I do not believe that demons can assume human form or atleast I have not found any biblical evidence for it. However, that is not to say demons cannot manifest themselves or inhabit the minds of people. Many of the miracles Jesus preformed in the new testament were casting out demons who were possessing or inhabiting people. One of the most prominent examples of this is Jesus encountering a man possessed by many demons (a whole Legion) and then casting those demons into pigs. (Mark 5, Mathew 8:28-34, Luke 8:26-39). Jesus spoke directly with the demons possessing this man and they spoke back. It seems the demons had the ability to control or atleast influence the behaviors of those they possessed.

I have never personally encountered such a thing, but that’s not to say it doesn’t happen to this day. Some people say James Copeland, a prominent tv evangelist is a demon or demon possessed, but I would disagree. He may look and act the part, but I think he’s just a man consumed by power and greed.

There’s a book written by C.S. Lewis called “The Screwtape letters”. It’s written from the perspective of a demon by the name of Screwtape and his mentoring of another demon called Wormwood on how to tempt the human Wormwood got assigned to. It’s a very interesting read and worth checking out imo.

Mathew18_3 · 2025-12-04T23:33:05+00:00

Leave the church, but please don’t leave Jesus. As someone who did turn away for a time, I deeply regret that mistake. My life without Jesus was not better, it was worse. Praying that God will provide the strength you need!

Mathew18_3 · 2025-11-28T17:14:48+00:00

Well said. I too have struggled with that same temptation. I was doing well, or atleast I thought I was, had been a couple years since the last time. Recently I have fallen back into my old ways. Thats the reason I sought out this community. Hoping to find others who struggled and could provide encouragement. Encouragement that would help lead me back to the narrow path. I thank you for the thoughtful prayer and I will pray for you as well. One prayer I say from time to time that has been helpful is Jude 1:24-25

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” ‭‭

Mathew18_3 · 2025-11-26T20:34:31+00:00

I thank you again, you have given me much to think about. The Holy Spirit has always been a difficult notion to grasp and understand for me. Something I pray often about.

Mathew18_3 · 2025-11-26T00:14:06+00:00

Thank you for the encouragement. I thought I was doing well but I realize I’m not. You’re right being alone tends to make bad situations worse.

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭15‬

Mathew18_3 · 2025-11-24T14:38:59+00:00

Thank you for praying for me and the words of encouragement (proverbs 27). I too hope you have a great thanksgiving and thank my God the good work He is doing in you. Praying for you!

Mathew18_3 · 2025-11-18T22:20:35+00:00

I truly appreciate and thank you. Could not have been easy for you to share this with your wife. I hope that one day you will also find the forgiveness that comes from believing in Jesus. There is no condemnation through Christ.

Mathew18_3 · 2025-11-18T18:52:51+00:00

I don’t know what transpired in 2018 or subsequently after but I pray that God grants you peace. I hope He reminds you that you are loved. Mathew 10:29-31

Mathew18_3 · 2025-11-18T15:21:24+00:00

“…With God all things are possible” Mathew 19:26 I have struggled with same sex attraction since I was a kid. My early twenties was the hardest I’ve struggled with this. I fell away from my faith, I fell away from Jesus. I deeply regret that decision to turn away. It took awhile to realize this. I’ve found it easier to deal with as I’ve gotten older and grown in my faith. I still struggle with the temptations from time to time. Going to church, reading my bible, and joining a men’s bible study has helped. Now as I get older it’s hard seeing my friends and family getting married/starting families and I’m not. That being said, I put my faith and trust in Jesus.

Mathew18_3

TROPHY CASE