I found a reason
I was reflecting on all my different attempts to kick this habit over the years and I realized something terrifying. I’ve been a Christian my whole life gone to church my whole life and throughout my life, I’d open up about this problem too leaders in the church and they’d offered to help everything would seem great. I finally found the person that would help me, but they would only be passionate about it for a day or two one time a week, but they weren’t really in it for me. They would tell me how important I am how important I am to the church, but then they didn’t care to show up for more than a week I didn’t feel very important that’s for sure before I told myself it’s just me they didn’t think I was putting in enough effort I’m the problem. But I found a sobering thought this morning i’ve hated this habit with a burning passion hated, that it’s been attached to me for so long it wasn’t a lack of effort on my part. It was a lack of effort on theirs. This habit is rooted in poor self control and poor self honesty, and they didn’t care to show up when things got hard. They didn’t care to show up when I relapsed and I don’t wanna let that happen to anyone else I don’t want anyone else to be putting in the effort like I did and get forgotten I wanna kick this habit so I can help them so I can help everyone that was in my situation trying so desperately to cling to Freedom
I have struggled for many many years and I would attribute 4 things to my success so far (although it has not been perfect, I am miles and miles ahead of where I was a year ago). First and foremost is my faith in Christ. Relying on Him for my strength, understanding I can’t do it in my own power and renewing my mind with the Lord every single day. Second, yes accountability is a key factor. I’m sorry you have not had a good experience finding someone who is consistent enough. It took me a long time, but I did find someone in my church who is as dedicated to helping me quit as I am. He follows up with me every single day and has been for months, because he has been through the struggle and knows what it takes to get out. Keep looking and praying for that accountability partner to come along! Third, getting a real solid content blocker and accountability software that screenshots my devices and sends it to my accountability partner has really made an impact when I have idle hands. It’s not always perfect and you will discover the loopholes you need to tie up, but it helps me tremendously to not let my hands and eyes wander. Fourth, like you and Garrett, I want to do everything I can to help the next generation not get caught up in this sin, and posting/commenting daily has been that motivation I need to keep going. Helping others helps myself a ton! I have never been someone to comment on forums or post online, but I am passionate for helping others not make the same mistakes that I have, and it has paid to be active in this community. Keep fighting the good fight brother, this is war and you have been given weapons to fight it, and keep praying for that accountability partner. You can do this brother!