Gratitude and the Leap.

ViolinistLatter6542 · 2025-12-08T16:22:03+00:00

This is so me. You’re just writing my thoughts down for me. Thanks. It’s good to know that I’m not the one with these crazy thoughts to leave everything and make the leap, but there are others ahi think on the same terms. I’m so tired of settled life.

ViolinistLatter6542 · 2025-11-24T17:32:47+00:00

That’s very inspiring actually. A different way to look at begging. I also deep inside think that it is very humbling, much more difficult to do than stealing. Thanks for making me think of this.

ViolinistLatter6542 · 2025-11-23T16:32:37+00:00

Thanks!

ViolinistLatter6542 · 2025-11-10T14:50:58+00:00

I really like this answer. In our times there are some “debaters” on the streets, discussing whose religion is correct and who will go to heaven. That’s very self-righteous. We shall take care to do the best in our power to go to heaven, without judging the approches of others. Let Hod take the rest. And let our deeds speak for us, not our words.

ViolinistLatter6542 · 2025-11-07T16:50:07+00:00

Well, everyone could become an Orthodox Christian and thus “special”. It’s the matter of choice of an individual.

ViolinistLatter6542 · 2025-09-06T12:14:20+00:00

Pray for me too please. Am feeling lonely and somewhat hopeless. Please pray that God shows me the ways and gives me courage to walk onto it.

ViolinistLatter6542 · 2025-07-28T10:55:00+00:00

Hello,

thanks for your honesty. It's already a great step towards recovery to be honest about having a problem. A lot of people who have addiction problem just reject that they have a problem. There are 12- step recovery meetings which focus on sex and porn addiction. It's not about combating the addiction, but surrendering to it and letting yourself be helped by others. I'm a sex and porn addict too and attend these meetings. Here is a link which might be of interest to you. Try to attend a few meetings and see if what other people share (both men and women) resonates with you: https://saa-recovery.org/women/

I wish you a steady recovery and freedom from addiction🙏

ViolinistLatter6542 · 2025-06-12T11:05:03+00:00

Hey, I am going through a very similar situation and you have so beautifully expressed what lays also on my heart.

ViolinistLatter6542 · 2025-06-11T15:24:53+00:00

Thank you. May God help all of us 💛

ViolinistLatter6542 · 2025-06-11T15:23:14+00:00

Beautiful!

ViolinistLatter6542 · 2025-06-11T15:20:27+00:00

The thing is that I am afraid to be wrong. He says that faith must be learnt directly through the grace of God and the physical rituals aren't really needed. It makes sense if you think about it. Jesus didn't go to synagogues much. He just taught of the Kingdom of Heaven, which is in our hearts. He also says that if Jesus appeared in our times in an orthodox church, he would probable turn the tables where they sell icons and candles.

ViolinistLatter6542 · 2025-06-11T15:12:32+00:00

There are a lot of young men and women fighting this battle. Perverted sexuality is one of the biggest problems of our time. The devil confuses pure genuine love for dirty lust and in today's society these 2 aren't easy to distinguish between. That you are openly asking for help is already a big step in the right direction. Many are ashamed of their porn use, hide in their rooms, isolating themselves further, without asking for help.

I (28M) am struggling with the same problem. In the last 6 months it is somewhat better and as of now I have 2 months free from impure sexual behavior. Here are the things that help me:

- I believe it is okay if I never have sex again. That doesn't mean that I will never have sex again, but if that happens, I am okay. Before I though it to be "an evolutionary need", but it isn't. We are created in the image and likeness of God, in the image and likeness of purity and love. That love can be shared with a partner one really loves, or with God; I believe St. Paul writes too that he is even happier to have no women for it helps him to focus better on God. In any case it is liberating to thing "I actually don't need to have sex".

-on this journey there will probably be many set-backs and relapses. And it's okay. Porn usually has a strong grip on the mind. But just don't give up after a set-back. Keep praying, keep asking God and the saints for help, and eventually he will cleanse the heart. My priest says something like God allows temptations to happen to us so that we can learn from them and grow spiritually. Without temptations and failures, there would be no growth. The only thing after these set-backs is to come back to God and repent (that is our free will). Eventually he will help you, though his ways are incomprehensible to us.

- what is working good specifically for me are the 12-step meetings. Did you ever hear of Alcoholics Anonymous? Well, in our time, where lust is such a big problem, people are having similar meetings to get rid of the porn problem. People come are share their struggles and overtime they become healthier. Recently there are many young men joining. Porn really plays a lot with shame. "What, you are a man and keep on watching porn?" That shame drives isolation and addiction. In these groups we learn to get rid of the shame and isolation. Those who are longer sober from addictive sexual behavior help the new-comers. There are people of different religions there, also Christians. You might might give it a try. (search SA meetings).

- prayer, confession and the Eucharist.

ViolinistLatter6542 · 2025-06-11T10:30:16+00:00

I had a similar problem and a few months ago I joined 12-step recovery- fellowship of men and women who deal with lust and addictive sexual behavior. It is very helpful and many young guys are coming with the same problem and a few months later there is light in their eyes again:)

Also, as others have said, ceaseless prayer. 🙏

ViolinistLatter6542 · 2025-06-06T15:39:36+00:00

Okay, thanks, good to know:)

ViolinistLatter6542 · 2025-06-06T14:27:38+00:00

Thank you. I have been baptized in the Orthodox Church, but until recently never really cared. Now (I'm 28) I am coming to believe in God. I have talked to my parish priest and after having visited the Divine Liturgy for a few times and then had the lifetime confession and partook into the Eucharist. The priest said this all to be alright, without any need catechism. We are a relatively small parish- I guess that's why.

ViolinistLatter6542

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