John came into treatment for pornography addiction feeling very discouraged. He had struggled with it for years. Because of the deep shame he felt, John tried to kick the addiction on his own but with no luck. He was feeling completely helpless. In order for John to succeed in recovery, he needed to switch from feeling helpless to feeling powerless. While these words may seem synonymous, they are completely different.
When a person feels helpless, he has little hope for a better future. He feels as if he’s stuck in his current situation forever. There is no help out there for him. It’s not hard to see how someone in this mindset could easily give up. This is where John was. He didn’t believe he could overcome his addiction. He even began to believe he would never be able to live without porn.
A person who feels powerless can have great hope for the future. This is because, while he realizes he doesn’t have the tools to fight this battle on his own, there are others who can help him win the battle. He is aware that there are many valuable resources available to him, and he uses them. Addiction can be viewed as an army that the addict must defeat. However, as a lone soldier, he cannot defeat that army on his own. He is powerless. However, when he brings in his own army (therapist, support group, sponsor, etc.), he has the power to defeat that army. He is not helpless.
Article continues here: https://integrityrestored.com/powerlessness-is-not-helplessness/
> John came into treatment for pornography addiction feeling very discouraged. He had struggled with it for years. Because of the deep shame he felt, John tried to kick the addiction on his own but with no luck. He was feeling completely helpless. In order for John to succeed in recovery, he needed to switch from feeling helpless to feeling powerless. While these words may seem synonymous, they are completely different.
> When a person feels helpless, he has little hope for a better future. He feels as if he’s stuck in his current situation forever. There is no help out there for him. It’s not hard to see how someone in this mindset could easily give up. This is where John was. He didn’t believe he could overcome his addiction. He even began to believe he would never be able to live without porn.
> A person who feels powerless can have great hope for the future. This is because, while he realizes he doesn’t have the tools to fight this battle on his own, there are others who can help him win the battle. He is aware that there are many valuable resources available to him, and he uses them. Addiction can be viewed as an army that the addict must defeat. However, as a lone soldier, he cannot defeat that army on his own. He is powerless. However, when he brings in his own army (therapist, support group, sponsor, etc.), he has the power to defeat that army. He is not helpless.
Article continues here: https://integrityrestored.com/powerlessness-is-not-helplessness/
(post is archived)