“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV).
I’ve always wondered about this verse and how it relates to something as heavy and troublesome as quitting pornography. Jesus describes it as an easy burden, but for me, it was easier to stay in the darkness than to quit. Every attempt to stop left me feeling worse than before.
I’ve heard many sermons about repentance and seeking a pure heart and soul. They motivate me to take action and decide to quit. I’ve tried so many times over the years, making countless promises to God; yet, all my attempts ended in relapse. And still, I wonder about the easy yoke.
Then, I came across a story in the Bible that I’d like to share. Maybe it can shed some light on the easy yoke.
Shipwreck
“On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up” (Acts 27:19-20).
The story recounts that St. Paul was on a ship caught in a furious storm, with the crew frantically throwing their cargo and equipment overboard to lighten the load and prevent the vessel from sinking.
They were in a desperate situation with no hope of being saved. Fighting porn felt like being on a ship caught in a storm, and if you try to fight it alone, you will only be driven further into it. It becomes even worse when you run out of resources and the memories of a pure life fade, replaced by pornographic images.
Just like the crew on the ship, it may feel like there’s no hope of survival. But St. Paul, standing amidst the chaos, urged them to take heart and eat. He assured them that no one would die—only the ship would be lost. There were people from different backgrounds on that ship: soldiers, skilled in battle and weapons; sailors, experts in navigating the seas and battling storms; and prisoners. Yet, despite their skills and experience, they all lost hope.
“Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you” (Acts 27:34).
Paul’s words gave them a glimmer of hope. He pointed them toward the easy yoke of God. It may have seemed laughable to them, but they listened and took some food.
There were 276 people on the ship, and eating together gave them strength. They believed Paul’s words, even though the situation didn’t immediately change; they were still in the storm, surrounded by darkness, unable to see. They needed to lighten the ship in order to survive, so they threw the wheat overboard—although it was their food. At that point, there was no hope left.
“So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea: (Acts 27:38).
This story reminds us that there is hope even in desperate situations. It shows that we don’t have to face our struggles alone. We can find support and nourishment in the presence of God, who strengthens us and makes our burdens easier to bear.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Imagine yourself on that ship, tossed from side to side for 14 days. With no sun, moon, or even stars; it’s all dark, and the shadow of death is everywhere. A voice tells you to take heart and eat, for it will give you strength. You might wonder how eating will help in this situation. It won’t calm the storm, bring an island our way, fix the ship, or strengthen it to face the storm.
We can apply that same concept to our struggle with pornography. This storm is relentless, and you are at its mercy. It’s impossible to steer your ship, stop the rain, or tame the waves. You can’t even keep the ship from smashing against the jagged rocks. You are completely powerless. Yet, a faint whisper tells you to pray and wait for God’s wonders. Would you listen?
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:2 ESV).
We wonder how prayer could strengthen us, calm our bodies, and help us face our challenges. Just as St. Paul told the ship’s crew: find courage; calm yourself—not the storm. Close your eyes and trust your heavenly Father to handle the heavy burden.
Take heart and pray the psalms, for it will give you strength. Not a hair will perish from your head. This is the easy yoke. We’ve spent all our strength fighting this storm, just like we wrestle with our addiction to porn throughout our lives. We get discouraged, disappointed, and sometimes lose hope. But these men ate, gathered their strength, and God took care of the ship, delivering them safely to an island.
I encourage you to pray. Through prayer, God will grant you the strength to overcome this darkness and guide your ship, even if it is wrecked, to safety, allowing you to find salvation for your soul.
My Humble Words
These words may reach thousands who are struggling to break free. I sincerely hope that they become a light in their darkness. I know many people in the world grew up without kind fathers to show them the true meaning of a father. I’m trying to use words to create an image of Jesus the Father so they can relate when they say, “Our Father who art in heaven.”
I hope these words bring you to Jesus. He’s the one who can clean you up and transform you. He’s the one who does all the hard work. May these words help you find the easy yoke, carry it, and show you the actual fight so you can win it.
You may think you’re fighting Satan, your body, or your addiction. But none of those are the actual fight. The real fight is to bring yourself before God. It may sound easy, but it can help an addict. If you practice what we discussed through prayer, it will become much easier, and you will grow stronger to conquer all other aspects of this battle. You may be skeptical about the idea that prayer can heal addiction, but I assure you, it can.
You struggle to stay still during prayer and quiet your thoughts. You may think it’s all nonsense. But in the next few posts, you’ll meet people who have conquered their inner demons, doubts, and lack of faith.
I’m not asking you to quit watching porn but to stay committed and loyal to your time with God. When we’re ill, we depend on doctors and medication for a cure. In the same way, our heavenly Father uses His spirit to heal us.
Soon, you will find yourself shy about watching porn because you have plans to talk to God later in the day. Satan tricks us into questioning how it works, but we use words to describe our sickness to earthly doctors. We trust in pills to heal us, and Jesus gives us a heavenly pill to cleanse and heal our hearts when we ask Him.
Footsteps
I want to share a story with you. There was a man who deeply loved God and found success in his life. God blessed him with the ability to see his own footprints and the footprints of Jesus wherever he went. He always felt Jesus by his side. But then troubles came. His family, friends, coworkers, and even strangers caused him pain, and he became a target. The weight of his burdens grew heavier, and he noticed that there was only one set of footprints. Feeling abandoned, he cried out to God, asking why He had left him. In that moment, God reassured him, saying, “My son, I never left you. Those footprints are mine, carrying you and your burdens. I am with you always.”
St. Augustine said, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” (Confessions, Book 1, Chapter 1, Saint Augustine)
Dear God, You know me well and understand that I can only offer a few minutes. Please bless these five minutes, just as You blessed the five loaves of bread and multiplied them. God, I need Your help to make me a better man for my family and You. Please accept these five minutes, just as You accepted the small offering from the widow. Pornography consumed me, but now I know it’s not good.
Satan cannot win this war. He will run away when he sees a mighty God by Your side.
Start with five minutes of prayer.
Winthisbattle!
