fbpx

Proven Men

Help for men struggling with pornography and sexually addictive behaviors.

7 Things God Taught Me through My Time with Proven

By: Allie Joy Hudson

3 min. read

 

An Update

Hi, all. Allie here. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for allowing me to have this platform and for taking the time to read what the Lord has led me to share over the years. I wanted to let you know that at the end of this month, I will be stepping away from Proven. I’ve worked with Proven for almost four years, so this is a bittersweet goodbye. I feel peace, though, about the Lord leading me into new opportunities.

It’s genuinely been a privilege to process through so many things with you all. We’ve discussed sexuality, engagement, purity, marriage, pornography, sex, trust, Scripture, lust, healthy sexuality, and faith. God has taught me so much through my time with Proven. As I reflect, I’d love to share some of these things with you. Here are seven things God has taught me through my time with Proven:

7 Things
  1. 1. Fighting for sexual integrity and God-honoring marriage is one of the passions of my life. Even though I’ll be stepping away from the blog at this time, I will continue to champion these causes in my life and my marriage. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak out about and share my thoughts with you. It’s been an honor.
  2. 2. Marriage and singleness are incredibly important vocations that God has called us to. The way that we invest in and are invested in by those closest to us is vital. And, the way that we love our spouse, family, and close friends reflects the depth and breadth of Jesus’ love for us. Check out more thoughts on this in last week’s blog and in Peter Scazzero’s book The Emotionally Healthy Leader.
  3. 3. God is always teaching us something new. Even my last point was something that I just learned! God does not call us to a life of stagnancy. I think of the Lord’s words to Israel in Isaiah 43:19. He says, “Behold, I am going to do something new, / Now it will spring up; / Will you not be aware of it? …” I know much more of what it means to live out a healthy theology of sexuality and marriage than I did when I first got married. And I have so much more to learn. Be receptive to what the Lord is teaching you today.
  4.  
  5. Proven
  6.  

  7. 4. To find victory over lust, in your heart, mind, and eyes, we need:

    • Intentionality

      Strategy is important. What boundaries can you proactively set in place to set yourself up for success? What relationships, situations, and emotions do you need to honestly examine?

    • Accountability

      God didn’t create us to go through life in a vacuum; we need other people. Find a few trusted friends and mentors that know you well and are willing to ask you tough questions. And do the same for them.

    • Dependence on God

      We cannot succeed in the battle for our minds, hearts, and eyes apart from the Lord. See John 15. Our own efforts only go so far and will not stick. Because of the Holy Spirit in us, although we still experience temptation, we have the power to withstand it.

  8. 5. Our culture’s version of sexuality is incredibly twisted. You don’t have to spend very long on the internet to figure that one out. Postmodern sexuality is relative, do-what-feels-good, self-serving, and, frankly, quite dangerous. God’s design, though it may seem rigid to the world, is rich, beautiful, complex, and truly has our best interest at heart. Following it is hard. But it’s so worth it to stand firm in this countercultural way.
  9. 6. I’ve really enjoyed seeing how much Scripture has to say about the way we live, interact with others, and conduct ourselves. It’s full of examples and stories of people who did and who didn’t do this well. God still speaks to us through His living Word (Hebrews 4:12).
  10. 7. God loves you. Deeply. And we need His love. You can do all the right things, set all the boundaries, and check all the right boxes. But without the love of Jesus, our efforts are in vain (1 Corinthians 13). Sexuality integrity and God-honoring relationships are a beautiful, worthy thing, but ultimately, they are only a means of reflecting Jesus. He wants your heart. When you are genuinely devoted to Him, walking in step with Him and dependence on Him, He will deliver you and help you. He loves you, and He wants your heart.

 

Signing Off

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share with you over these past four years with Proven. It’s been a joy!

Our Father is good, my brothers and sisters. Depend on Him. Slow down and hear what He has to say. He gave Jesus to atone for all the ways we fall short. He is present with you, interceding for you. Jesus loves you! Call out to Him today.

 

 

Sign up to continue receiving our blogs,

AND, TO FIGHT WITH US, CHECK OUT OUR PROTECTOR INITIATIVE!

Allie Joy Hudson is first and foremost a daughter of the King. She has worked with Proven for almost four years and serves as the Content Manager. Allie graduated from Liberty University with a B.A. in English and minors in Spanish and Psychology. She completed her Senior Honors Thesis on the presentation of postmodern sexuality in short fiction. She enjoys reading, writing, playing the viola, running, singing, and photography. Allie is passionate about her ever-growing C.S. Lewis collection, cultivating relationships, and proclaiming truth in the twisted arena of postmodern sexuality. Allie lives in Pennsylvania and is overjoyed to be married to the love of her life.