New Fruit: 7 Days of Porn Recovery for WomenSample

Crystal Renaud Day’s book, Dirty Girls Come Clean, gives five steps for recovery:

1. Surrender. Surrender begins by having a posture that says, “I have become powerless to my addiction, but I have also become powerless to what drives it.” You admit to yourself and to God that your actions are not just behavioral. You admit to yourself and to God that have identity wounds that you can’t overcome on your own and you need help. You admit these things as an act of surrender and begin to take larger steps toward healing (Psalm 31:4).

2. Confession. Confession requires you to come out of the darkness of isolation by telling another soul about your struggle. Isolation is fuel for addiction. Confess to someone you trust—another woman, a friend, a family member, or even a church staff member or counselor (James 5:16).

3. Accountability. God created us for community, but when shame enters in, we turn inward as well, leaving others outside of our pain, our shame, and our struggle. Accountability is about letting someone in. Remember, the most important part of accountability is the relationship itself—the person or people you choose. 

And sign up for Covenant Eyes (you can receive the first 30 days free using the promo code youversion) and send your ally your accountability reports. This will help her be specific as she helps you recover from online temptations (Galatians 6:2).

4. Responsibility. Addicts often play the blame game, especially in the early days of recovery and detox. Regardless of whatever identity wounds you have experienced, you are responsible for the choices you make today. 

If you find yourself struggling with taking responsibility, a great many women find success in quitting porn after understanding that pornography is a form of human trafficking (Isaiah 61:1).

5. Sharing. God will never waste an experience or a hurt in your life when you allow Him to use it. He can use whatever it is you have suffered through to bring glory to Himself. He does so in such a way that can help others as well. That is why you can take comfort in sharing your story with those who need to hear it (Psalm 51:14-15). 

Reflection:

How many of these five steps have you implemented in your life? Which do you need to take next to start or continue the recovery process?