Heart Of The Issue

2020 has been a whirlwind of craziness. We have been bombarded with fear, anxiety, isolation, and divisiveness. Many people are currently struggling to maintain a steady income. The stay-at-home mandates have left numerous people feeling lost and hopeless, looking for relief. Unfortunately, many are finding this relief in pornography. One pornographic website boasted an 18% jump in traffic during the lockdowns. Talk about a pandemic!

But there is good news: Pure Life Alliance can help. We understand the real issue. While others may believe that the behavior is the problem, we know that behavior is only the surface layer of a deeper issue. 

Think of a sex addict (or any addict) as an artichoke. While it may seem an odd comparison, I believe there are many similarities. Consider the outer layer. It's unappealing and serves only as a form of protection. This is similar to addicts' behavior. Whatever the ugly behavior is, the addict uses it to numb, hide from, or forget what is perceived as an attack on their heart.
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As you peel back those outer layers, you will find the inner layers of an artichoke a little softer and less abrasive. While better than the outer layer, it will never live up to the potential of the heart. These layers represent the many socially acceptable behaviors that a person uses to mask their heart along the healing journey. It might show up as anger, workaholism, perfectionism, or judgment. There are many "socially acceptable" masks to choose from, but they will also not live up to a person's full potential.

Eventually, when you get to the heart of an artichoke, you will find it covered with a choke. The choke is attached directly to the heart and requires some real work to remove. The choke represents an addicts' false beliefs. These beliefs are at the core of a person's identity. "I am not good enough." "If they knew me, they would not like me." Removing the choke is not easy, but it is well worth the effort.

As you can see, the process takes time and can be difficult for all involved. However, the result leads to a person living a life free from the constraints of false beliefs and living towards their full potential. At Pure Life Alliance, we focus on getting to the heart of the issue so that the men and women who go through our groups can live the life God intended no matter what 2021 may have in store. 

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by Executive Director - Jeremy Waldridge