November 1
Breaking the Cycle
of Struggle
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."
Romans 7:15 (NIrV)
Ian sat on the edge of the couch, feeling the weight of his actions pressing down on him. He had a loving wife, Sarah, who had been supportive in every way. They had a good life, a life he cherished. But there was one secret he couldn’t seem to shake, one temptation that he kept giving into, despite his best intentions.
He had promised himself, over and over again, that he would stop with those inappropriate websites. That he would resist the urge, but every time the house was quiet and Sarah was away or in another room, he would find himself giving in. It wasn’t even about the thrill anymore; it was more of a habit, a way to escape, to cope with stress or boredom. He knew it wasn’t right, yet the cycle seemed impossible to break.
One evening, Sarah walked into the room unexpectedly. Her face went pale when she saw the phone in Ian's hands. The look in her eyes was not anger, but heartbreak. She had caught him in a moment of weakness, a moment that had been hidden for far too long.
“Ian,” Sarah’s voice trembled, “we talked about this. We promised each other we would always be open. What is this?”
Ian’s heart sank. He had always been honest with her about everything—except this. He had buried it deep down, thinking it would go away on its own. But now, the reality was in front of him. He had hurt her, and he could see it in her eyes.
“I’m so sorry, Sarah,” Ian whispered, his voice cracking. “I don’t know why I keep doing this. I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want this to control me. I don’t want it to come between us.”
Sarah didn’t say anything at first. The silence felt like it lasted an eternity. Then, after a long pause, she spoke, her voice steady but emotional. “You’re not alone in this, Ian. But you have to face it. We have to face it together.”
And they did. Ian made a promise to Sarah that he would seek help, not just from her, but from God as well. It was a painful process, and the road ahead would not be easy. There were many nights of prayer, discussions with a counselor, and honest conversations with his wife. But slowly, Ian began to rebuild the trust that had been damaged, one step at a time.
He learned that his struggle wasn’t just a matter of bad habits, but a deep yearning for something to fill the emptiness he had been ignoring. It wasn’t an instant fix, but God’s grace began to heal Ian’s heart, and his commitment to changing for himself, his wife, and his faith grew stronger every day.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your grace and for the people You place in our lives to help us heal.
I pray for those of us struggling with things we feel trapped by, for the habits or struggles that hold us captive.
Lord, please give us the strength to confront these things and the wisdom to seek help where we need it.
Just as You promise that You are with us in our struggles, I trust that You will guide me through the journey of change.
Please help me to rebuild trust in my relationships and strengthen my faith in You.
Thank You for never leaving me, even when I feel lost.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
