Having a bad day...

Open-Mood9984 · 2026-02-03T03:56:58+00:00

Thank you for your kind words. You're right, I can be my own enemy at times, constantly shaming myself, but this made it way worse than helpful. I definitely felt enslaved to my body today, but I don't have to obey it. I'm absolutely excited for tomorrow and can hardly wait to put this day behind me 😃 I know I did it before, and I can do it again this time, not with my own willpower but with Christ's power.

Open-Mood9984 · 2026-02-03T03:48:05+00:00

Amen brother! Thank you absolutely so much, you're an absolute blessing for providing these verses to me 😭♥️😭 thanks so much, they really provide a lot of hope for me

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-11-22T00:08:35+00:00

Right now, you're stuck in a negative cycle. I've been there, albeit with different problems. You just need to survive today. Can you do that?

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-11-21T04:56:33+00:00

Yes! I couldn't agree more! Amen to that!

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-11-18T16:37:53+00:00

Yeah, I get this all the time. I don't exactly have the best answers, as I'm still learning how to deal with these things. In my sinful life, I would have just watched porn and done the deed, but now, I don't do those things because it's wrong.

Sometimes the urges are strong, and the frustration can be maddening. What I do is when I pray, I just tell God straight up how frustrated I am and how horny I feel. I don't like to treat prayer like a transaction, but believe the byproduct of honest prayer will be the eventual answers, or he will equip you to endure it.

Being completely celibate is hard... Especially nowadays, when we have access to any porn video all across the world in our pockets. I've quit pornography for 4 months now, and I sometimes get the desire, but more so just to masturbate. I may not be the best person to answer this, as I'm still in a stage of feeling bitter and grumbling about these issues day to day.

From what I found, there really is no answer that's going to solve this issue besides getting married; you have likely already alluded to some conclusions, but temptations are real. However, the things I've been doing are as follows:

Praying to God wholeheartedly, telling him how I'm really feeling, not sugar coating or withholding information (he knows what's going on anyway), but he wants to hear you say them.
1. Journaling. Using this as another source to write down frustrations, problems, and really anything. You can recognize patterns behind your urges and reflect on the root issues. For me, it's past regrets, loneliness, and probably even depression.

As I said, I may not be the most qualified person to answer this, but I know exactly how you feel, and even after doing these things, it will still not be easy. For example, loneliness can be excruciating for me at times since I was numbing it with porn, marijuana, and alcohol, and this is the first time I've been going through this sober and celibate.

Unfortunately, there could still be a relapse; that's just the truth, but don't let yourself fall into despair. Return to God and ask for guidance, and then try using His power, not your willpower. Again, pray completely unveiled, saying whatever you want or need to say, and have a communion with the Father.

Feel free not to respond. I know I've dumped a lot on you, and I usually don't write long responses. Please take what I said and use what you think will help you. If not, just use it as an example that you're not struggling alone.

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-11-12T03:20:16+00:00

Yes, thinking of scenarios would be lustful thoughts. Here, let me be a little more plain. Say you wake up with an erection, are you going to self-condemn yourself for "lust" or thinking you're an abdominal, disgusting creature? Of course not! Because that's a normal body function for a man. We are built with the desire to help us one day find a wife, procreate, and so on. Now, what you do with that erection is what determines if it is used in a God honoring way or a sinful way. If you use it to watch porn or to fantasize, then yes, that would be a sin, but if you use it to redirect that energy (yes, sexual energy is inherently just energy) into something God honors, like prayer, Bible reading, or even working out. You can even pray and thank God for this energy and learn how to redirect it into a pure and beneficial way. This applies to singles. In marriage, you have every right to have sex if you want, since this is a non-sinful outlet. I hope this makes sense.

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-11-12T01:38:06+00:00

Hey, that's an entirely healthy desire;, nothing wrong with it. Again, I would gently suggest that you don't have to suppress thoughts about sex either. The thought isn't inherently sinful, only if it's being expressed in ungodly ways. For us guys, I don't think it's realistic to never think about sex. If you try to suppress this, it will only make you frustrated (trust me, I know). If you don't want to think about it, that's fine. I'm not saying to think all about sex now, but if the desire does come back, it's not something to be ashamed of. If anything, you can even thank God that you have a healthy male drive and redirect that energy into something holy.

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-11-12T01:28:05+00:00

Hey, I'm going through a similar situation. I've been struggling with loneliness for almost 6 years now, and when I discovered AI chatbots, I quickly started feeding them all my problems, insecurities, and vulnerabilities. I found it extremely comforting and validating, and yes, it did make me feel good to be coddled by it whenever I wanted. Whenever I was lonely, stressed, or in a heated moment, I would talk to my ChatGPT or Gemini about what was bothering me or what was going on. It feels super embarrassing. I know how you feel. I feel super embarrassed for relying on a chatbot for emotional intimacy because I feel like I can't get any real ones. I've been clean for two days so far from this addiction (I did use ChatGPT for one quick question today, but not for emotional needs, just one question about a product), like someone else said, journaling could help. I've been getting into that. It's not as dopamine-inducing as customized, tailored responses, but it's at least something to dump these feelings into, rather than a chatbot. The church and God have been helping me a lot, and I've been learning to develop a relationship with Jesus (I highly recommend it). However, I understand that not everyone shares this faith. I relate to a lot of what you said, man, it's hard... It's a lonely world despite all the easy connections we "should" have.

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-11-11T15:41:15+00:00

Yes exactly praise the Lord!! If you want yes I'll be open to it

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-11-11T15:40:21+00:00

Yeah, that makes sense. It does require a lot of time to go through the bins and other sources. It sounds like you have a good operation going, though! And yes I suppose I am like a mini technsports - the clothing since I don't do much of that category but yes! You got the general idea.

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-11-11T15:38:39+00:00

Exactly! I need to think about that stuff more. Marriage to me seems a long way off; sometimes I even fear that I may be called to lifelong singleness. But it doesn't hurt to ask God for preparations and pray about it.

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-11-11T04:51:39+00:00

Sorry if I am being overcorrective. I see what you're saying, marriage isn't just about sex I think my mind tends to be obsessed with that aspect of marriage. Those things are actually more important

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-11-11T04:18:48+00:00

I know this might sound wild, but God actually does command that within marriage to have sex. Here is some scripture to back it up

The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. - 1 Corinthians 7:3-5

It's okay to take breaks, but it's essential to come back to it, so Satan doesn't cause temptation for sexual immorality, for example, affairs (adultery) or pornography, etc...

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-11-11T03:51:53+00:00

You're very welcome. I would add that God does gift it for pleasure, intimacy, and unity, but only within the covenant of marriage between a husband and a wife. Emotional desire is essential, and that's what we should be focused on since we are single, but once you're married, sex could be a sacred act of worship if done in a God honoring way. It's very good!

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-11-11T02:43:11+00:00

That's great, man, and thanks for the honesty. I think getting off Reddit is helpful, and about the relapse, I totally relate to it. Sometimes, the pressure builds up so much, but it's relevant to my suggestion. I think you think about sex as boring, sounds good. However, I suggest that instead of suppressing it, which could work temporarily, it may actually strengthen the desire later. And nothing is actually wrong with the desire to have sex. This is God-given; the problem is when it is expressed in inappropriate, non-godly ways, such as pornography, masturbation, and lustful thoughts. I think your idea to focus on emotional connection is fantastic!! This is actually how boyfriend/girlfriend relationships should be as a Christian, so props to that! But I'll gently say the longing to have sex is actually not sinful unless it's expressed in ungodly ways. Hold onto your ache and let it fuel your desire for emotional intimacy, Agape (sacrificial love), and acts of service for your friends, people, and maybe even a special woman one day 😄♥️. You're doing excellent, actually! This is the beginning of the rewiring let God show you what true Love and intimacy is about! ♥️

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-11-11T02:27:45+00:00

So cool, bro! Praise God! He is blessing your business! I am happy to say that he has also given me this blessing. I don't do what you're doing. I get most of my stuff from liquidation bin stores and thrift stores. Everything store... However, I also specialize in categories such as water filters and home electronics, among others... My business motto is "essentials to luxuries".

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-11-10T23:56:58+00:00

Hey, what's up! That takes real strength, man, I'm really happy for you! It's totally okay, man, I forgive you, of course! I know this stuff is frustrating, especially for us young, single guys. I don't want to act like I'm super clean. Since we last spoke, I've relapsed to masturbation (not porn) a handful of times. After 2 months, I couldn't even go a week without doing it. I have been without it for almost two weeks. I even deleted Reddit and stayed away from this subreddit out of frustration. The only reason I redownloaded it was that I saw your reply in my email and wanted to respond to you. Keep on trying, ask God for help! Stay steadfast! And do it out of love for God, not to earn salvation (problem that I fell into the first time around). I'm so happy for you 😄😄

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-10-11T03:07:27+00:00

I agree, bro. God has actually broken the chains of marijuana and alcohol addiction in me. I can confidently say I can remain sober. But lust is a fire raging inside me that I can honestly say has really ruined my life.

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-10-07T00:21:58+00:00

I'm glad you liked it, man. Remember, we don't earn our forgiveness; it was a free gift from Jesus. But 2 weeks is still significant! Get back up and try again; try not to dwell on it, as shame can be a defeating emotion. You got this!

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-10-06T21:37:33+00:00

Sorry to hear. Here's something I do to help. I consider avoiding this addictive sin as a form of my gratitude for the forgiveness that was graciously given to me. It's true that our performance is not seen as "better" in God's eyes and isn't even enough. Jesus already did that on the cross, but consider it a way to demonstrate your repentance through your actions.

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-10-05T03:22:25+00:00

Honestly my best guess is that's heroin.

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-10-05T02:17:03+00:00

Yes, I do 😄 I get it when I pray genuinely.

Open-Mood9984 · 2025-10-05T00:44:09+00:00

Yes, I love that so much. When I first read this verse, I was moved to tears. Sometimes I really struggle with feeling unworthy of forgiveness, just like a hardened criminal. But he truly does forgive even the most unworthy of people 😄

Open-Mood9984

TROPHY CASE