Hey everybody!

I'm creating a confessions thread. If you feel comfortable or feel lead to confess anything that is a burden to you, you can do it here. My aim is to give people a place to realize that they are not alone with their problems, and to be surrounded by people who will help them with their struggles. Remember that this forum is public, so please use discretion.

I will personally be praying for each person that posts in this thread.

Anyway, I would like to start this off:

It has been rather difficult for me to make confessions in real life. I have several great mentors who have been guides, but even with these great people I have not felt comfortable sharing my dark secrets. Only one person, apart from God, knows my struggles. He is my best friend, but he is not a Christian and has been going through similar things - he has not been able to offer much help. Another reason why it has been so difficult is because I am going to college to become a youth pastor. Any of these things would significantly harm the reputation I have made for myself in my community and networks.

Thus, I am turning to you guys for prayer and support.

For approximately eight years I have struggled with pornography. I know this is pretty common, but within the last couple years I have begun to notice how much it is really damaging my life. I just can't get away from the addiction.

Another more recent struggle is smoking. Last winter I broke up with a girl after I found out she was cheating on me. I took it pretty hard, sleepless nights and stuff. The only way I could relax before going to bed was to have a cigarette. I didn't get addicted - I stopped after about a month. However, this past winter a girl I had been dating for five months broke up with me. I took this one even harder than the last because I really cared for this girl. I started smoking again. I began to enjoy it and have been smoking for a couple of months now. I don't know if I'm addicted or if I just enjoy it a lot... I don't crave it like I've heard addicts express the way they do. I just enjoy going out once every day or other day by myself and smoking a cigarette and reflecting on things. It's another struggle I have that I know I shouldn't do.

This post was edited by ihavethesniffles on Apr 23 2010 10:00pm

this is a good, i idea i have to say.

As far as smoking, i used to be addicted when i wasnt saved and i stopped (when i wasnt saved) but i still struggled with it and every week or two i would smoke a cigarette or a black n mild.

i know so many people going through struggles right now and they think the answer is to get away from their saved friends, its really not, but whatever.

One of my struggles is youthful lust, lol. I find it so hard not to look away, cause ive done it all my life, ya know?

Im overcoming it though, so just keep praying for me if you feel the need to. =)

"Another more recent struggle is smoking. Last winter I broke up with a girl after I found out she was cheating on me. I took it pretty hard, sleepless nights and stuff. The only way I could relax before going to bed was to have a cigarette. I didn't get addicted - I stopped after about a month. However, this past winter a girl I had been dating for five months broke up with me. I took this one even harder than the last because I really cared for this girl. I started smoking again. I began to enjoy it and have been smoking for a couple of months now. I don't know if I'm addicted or if I just enjoy it a lot... I don't crave it like I've heard addicts express the way they do. I just enjoy going out once every day or other day by myself and smoking a cigarette and reflecting on things. It's another struggle I have that I know I shouldn't do."

WOW BRO SAME HERE O_O
Seriously, i started smoking 2 weeks before i found out in February that she had cheated on me in October :/ ... life is still very rough from that crumpling blow. I have been smoking a tobacco pipe every day, once or twice per day up until a week ago. I randomly decided that it wasn't the best, and it has been sitting two feet to the left of my keyboard since about a week ago. Do not condemn yourself for smoking good sir, just keep it in check and never let ANYTHING control your free will (like an addiction). Personally, my biggest struggle with the whole thing was that I was so stubborn and numb that i DID NOT hear God telling me what was going on in the situation with the lady... He is pure love and pure light and never wants us to get hurt, but when we're stubborn and ignore his advice we run into brick walls sometimes... shit sucks

pm me if you need to talk man never let religion sear your conscience or condemn you sir.
(religion has NOTHING TO DO WITH your relationship with God)