This article was written by Dan Hitz, the director of Reconciliation Ministries of Michigan, Inc. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Michigan specializing in helping men and women overcome sexual brokenness, sexual abuse recovery, and trauma. More articles and testimonies of overcomers are available on the Reconciliation Ministries website at https://recmin.org/newsletter-archives.

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith – for he was like a foreigner, living in tents.

Hebrews 11:8-9a NLT

Can you relate to Abraham – or Abram in his old life? You may have been perfectly content living your life when God called to you something deeper. Or maybe you weren’t content. Maybe you felt trapped by self destructive habits or the effects of abuse and didn’t see any way out. Maybe you can relate to Paul’s question in Romans 7:24, “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin?” Is God in His mercy is calling you to leave the familiar and take a journey of trust into a deeper life in Him?

Sometimes in our journey, it’s not uncommon to wonder if God really cares. If I give up the familiarity of my gay identity and surrender my sexuality to Him, will He really come through with something better? If I give up my escape of pornography and sexual addiction, will He really help me cope with the pain that I’m avoiding? Maybe you’re afraid to leave an abusive relationship. Being humiliated and hurt everyday seems like an acceptable price to pay when you’ve been convinced that you’ll never be able to make it on your own. No one else seems to care about you. Does God?

The truth is that God does care. He won’t turn anyone away who comes to Him for help. He didn’t condemn the woman caught in adultery [John 8:1-11]. The Samaritan woman at the well was rejected by the community, but Jesus showed her love and compassion. He revealed Himself to her as the Messiah and gave her the honor of evangelizing the community [John 4:1-42]. Tax collectors were hated by the Jews, but Jesus called Matthew the tax collector to follow Him. Jesus didn’t reject sinners who came to Him for help. He showed them mercy. He was willing to endure the angst of the religious leaders who berated Him for having dinner at Matthew’s house with “his fellow tax collectors and many other notorious sinners” [Mark 2:15]. Jesus revealed His heart to “set the captive free” [Luke 4:18] when He told the angry leaders, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do. I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough.” [Mark 2:17]

The truth is, Jesus IS WILLING to help anyone who comes to Him. Yes, He does call us to leave our old life of sin, yet He also offers to give us a new life full of hope and transformation. He has so much better for us. Even if you’re struggling with habitual sin, He still loves you. Romans 5:6 acknowledges that we were “utterly helpless” to overcome our sin. Jesus didn’t die for us because we were wonderful. He died for us because we were a complete mess and had no hope of saving ourselves. Jesus was willing to die for us in our weakest, most sinful state [Romans 5:6-9]. Through His death and resurrection, He broke the power of sin over us. He made a way for us to find freedom from our own sin, and healing from the effects of the sins that others have committed against us.

Maybe you’re thinking that you’ve already tried coming to Jesus a billion times and still you’re stuck in the same sin. Come to Him the billionth and one time. Romans 5:10 encourages us that since Jesus died for us while we were His enemy, He will surely receive us who come to Him surrendered to His mercy. The same Jesus who told His disciples to forgive those who come to them seven times seventy times [Matthew 18:21-22], will surely forgive you. Overcoming is a process. It takes time. Trust Jesus to fulfill His promises to put His laws in our minds so that we can understand them, and write them on our hearts so we will obey them [Hebrews 8:10]. No matter how many times you’ve tried and failed, you can find hope in the promise that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it [Philippians 1:6].

If you’re struggling with sexual sin, the effects of abuse, or are trapped in an abusive relationship, Reconciliation Ministries is here to help. You don’t have to take this journey alone. Our trained caregivers know what it’s like to struggle, and we also know what it’s like to find healing and peace through the grace of Jesus Christ. We’ll walk with you in the struggle to let go of the familiarity of your brokenness, and into a new life of freedom and strength. We’ll walk with you to the presence of Jesus where your wounds are healed, your sins are forgiven, and your character becomes more like His. We’ll walk with you to victory.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call Reconciliation Ministries at 586.739.5114. We offer biblically based licensed counseling, mental health coaching, inner healing prayer, support groups, and so much more. We offer healing and equipping events to train ministry leaders and pastoral staff to minister to those struggling with unwanted LGBTQ attractions, sexual addiction, and abuse. Reconciliation Ministries is here for you. Reach out today.

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Hebrews 11:8-9a NLT

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