Crying Out To The Lord For Help When You're In Spiritual Prison

Psalm 107:10-16

Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness,
prisoners suffering in iron chains,
because they rebelled against God’s commands
and despised the plans of the Most High.
So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,
and broke away their chains.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
for he breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron.


I sense that I am in this situation now. I can't help but think that some of these people in Psalms were Israelites who were to inherit the blessing of Abraham. But because of their rebellion they got into lots of trouble. Therefore, I think that Christians can find themselves here too. Maybe I'm all wet. But I'm hoping God helps a fallen Christian the same way.

It's a humbling thing to be stumbling in darkness, a prisoner suffering in iron chains. I can barely get out of bed in the morning, because my mind is so upset, and I feel hopeless and discouraged. I've called on the Lord to help me - oh, have I called on Him.


I have been in therapy for porn addiction for years, and I have agreed with God I need to quit, so I've given a good effort to stop the cycle of addiction/shame/guilt. I've repented, in other words. Now and then it seems too overwhelming and I fall back a step, then forward 2 steps, and it's a journey. I've told my girlfriend I can't be having sex with her. On top off all this I suffer from mental illness, and I talk to people who also have it, and they all have excessive guilt patterns and troubles sexually, especially those with bipolar tendencies.

I'm really trying to trust in God and hand my life over to Him. I don't feel like this is very easy sometimes. Those verses in Psalms reassured me that even the wicked can turn to God in prayer and find His help.

Does anybody have any thoughts about this?
 
What you speak of up there is parallel to where I have come from. And let me be the first to tell you that it doesn't end there and there is a way out! :)

First off, get rid of this idea that you are wicked or fallen. If you born again and God is your Father, you are a NEW creation! "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:1. That old sinner is gone. Now rather you are a new creation that desires to your Father's will! "5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:5-7. Just as our Father is Righteous - so are we who are in Him! It is natural for us to do righteousness as these new creatures because of Who our Father is!

Now as to your dark situation....He is already with you! His Help is already in you! "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

Just as God was with the Israelites when they went to fight their enemies, so is that same God with you today as you go against your enemies: these feelings from the evil one, these habits that you can't control. "So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you." Deuteronomy 31:6. And get this....with these problems you describe, God has already gone before you. He, Who is everything you need when you need it, is already Victory for you in this situation!

But how do you access that victory? The same way we are able to do everything else in the Christian life "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:4-5

And as for being in a place where you keep trying and get no where......that is exactly where God wants you. Paul was in the same place and here is what God told him: "Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

And remember....any progress in God is by God, not our own might or will. "Then he said to me, "This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies." Zechariah 4:6

So believe God at His Word. Make the decision to not rest in these thoughts of hopelessness and defeat - and He will carry you the rest of the way. That is really all it takes.
 
Keep praying and talking with God - ask for His help and strength to resist the temptation of sin. Read the Holy Bible and fellowship with other Christians. Christianity is a lifelong journey and many times a struggle, but Gods blessings are your reward. Keep on the straight and narrow path - Heaven and eternal life are waiting. Take care, and I'll say a prayer for you.
 
Sounds like you are on the right track! It is hard to turn your life over to God in a sense. We all have sins that we have to deal with and it's sometimes hard to control them. Just dedicate your life to God and you will see the sin as wrong (which it looks like you already have). Then pray to God when you feel tempted. Read the Bible. Talk with other Christians about it (online and in real life if you have someone you trust).
 
Praise God Banjo, and God bless you In Jesus' Name !
What a humble spirit you seem to have.....You seem like someone who really wants all that God has for you. Everything that has been said already I agree with. You MUST set some Godly boundaries in your life. In other words you set obstacles to keep you from "Going There" You can't stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can keep it from building a nest in your hair !
I STRONGLY recommend a good agressive internet block- I use Clean Internet, it filters out the bad and lets the good through. Your searches go through a network (not a program) it is almost impossible to entertain things that are unwholesome. Do it NOW it's like $4.95 a month - and you pay yearly -what a great investment. May the Lord's hand be upon you.
 
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