A Big Black dog and escape tactics!
Some of you might know that I am a runner, I love running, it is my best time with God. During my runs I worship, I pray and enjoying Gods creation. Sometimes I bring my phone and listen to music. I also use the app RunKeeper, it’s a fun app where I keep track on my time but also follow my friends and we can encourage one another through the app. However best is to run without music and RunKeeper just me and God, He speaks to me very clearly during my runs. And I love it, I need it.
So this afternoon my first run in our new neighborhood I chose to leave the phone at home and just enjoy the nature. I ran for about 5 min when suddenly a BIG black dog appeared from nowhere, barking and running towards me. I’m not afraid of dogs. But this one his eyes looked very fierce-full, so I stopped, looked at the dog and he looked at me, showing his teeth and with a not so happy face. I started to think, if I continue to run he will with no doubt run with me, continuing barking, so I had to make a plan, an escape plan! I slowly just turned away from the dog and started to walk away from the dog. Of course the dog started to follow, but no barking. After 1 min the dog wasn’t so interested in me any longer so he started to fall behind me until he totally lost interest and ran the other way, and I could continue my planned run again.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” James 4:7
During the rest of the run God really spoke to me how we need an escape plan for many occasions in life. We need tactics to avoid temptations, to resist the devil to put it plainly. In the beginning of my own journey with porn addiction, I tried to outrun the temptations without any plan what so ever, I only wanted to escape. Like if the only plan I would have when I met the dog was just to escape it, but I was on a run, I had planned my run, I knew where I was going. And also for me the best tactic was not to run as fast as I could. I lost the dog because I slowly turned away from it and kept my eyes on the goal. One way to flee porn addiction is to focus on Jesus, to ask your friend or wife to keep the computer from you. If you have a smart phone, get rid of it. When you feel temptation ask people to pray, invite them to fight for your freedom. Ask the blood of Jesus to cleanse you Then the enemy will flee.
I could escape my porn addiction for many reasons, in the beginning to be honest it was many trial and errors. One of the reasons was there wasn’t as much help and information about “Porn on your brain” when Jesus set me free. But one thing I know is that you need a plan and give the plan to God. Avoid temptations, maybe you are not hooked on porn, but it might be other things like, gambling, food, exercise, shopping, games yes could be anything. As Paul says:
“You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything” 1 corinth 6:12
So make a plan, if it to restore your marriage, get free from porn or what ever stops and hinders your for becoming the man God has made you to be. When you have your escape plan ready prepare to use it when temptations and obstacles come your way. Because they will come, I can promise you that but if you are prepared you will use the right tactics to get rid of them!
So when the dog unexpectedly run up to me showing teeth and barking, I turned away and didn’t give him much attention. And when he didn’t had my attention he walked away from me.
