Hello, I am Josh!
This is my journey blog to finding freedom from Addiction
God isolates before he elevates
Day 7 - Fri, July 19, 2024
It is Friday, that use to make me feel a certain way saying that. However, every day right now feels the same. Today has been one of the hardest days since I began breaking the denial cycle of my addiction. My spirit is flooded with a heavy amount of emotions, and it feels as though I've plunged headfirst into an ocean without a life vest or scuba gear—just me, myself, and an endless body of water of isolation. I keep reminding myself that this overwhelming sense of loneliness might be exactly what God intends for me, pushing me to place my trust in Him completely; kinda like a Jonah expereince. I heard a saying today: "God sees the need for tomorrow, and accordingly prepares the test of today." Perhaps if I lean into this test of isolation, may be the very thing He's using to prepare me for tomorrow's needs. I don't know the full story or the journey ahead, but I trust that His vision is greater than mine.
The devil has had me trapped for so long in a cycle of addiction that it didn't bother me like it should have. I went on about my life as if nothing was wrong, blind to the damage it was causing. I want to share something that brings me immense peace in this process, in the hope that it may help someone else who may be walking out addiction. We must stop bringing up the past and instead focus on the truths that God speaks about who we are (Identity). We are not defined by our addictions; we are not evil because of them. Rather, we are wounded individuals in need of healing and grace. By embracing this perspective, we allow ourselves to seek the help we need and start the journey toward recovery and wholeness.
_Joshua
“Many would admit Christ to be their advocate to plead for them, but not their king to rule over them.” – Thomas Watson
Day 6 - Thurs, July 18, 2024
Happy Thursday, everyone! Today has been particularly meaningful for me as I engaged in a deep conversation with a new friend over Zoom who inspired me to reflect on my identity in Christ. For a long time, addiction has clouded my ability to fully embrace my true identity. While I have accepted Christ as my Savior, my life's direction has been steered by my addiction rather than His Lordship. However, I am now actively working to shift my mindset today and have asked God to grant me a new heart. This journey is challenging, but I am hopeful and committed to discovering and living out my true identity in Him.
Today’s Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come before You with a heart full of gratitude and a spirit in need of renewal. As I navigate this journey of recovery, I ask that You continually refresh my mind and soul. Lord, there is no challenge too great that I cannot overcome with Your strength and guidance. When I feel drained and overwhelmed by the journey ahead, please grant me the serenity and courage to find refuge in Your loving embrace. Thank You, Jesus, for the countless ways You have shown Your love and grace to me, both in the small, everyday blessings and in the grand miracles of life. Amen.
_Joshua
“the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
Day 5 - Wed, July 17, 2024
Every week, my journey to Cape Coral has become a must appreciated routine, it has given me the opportunity to immerse myself in the latest podcast or turn on the Audio Bible app; it is such a sanctuary of reflection and spiritual growth. Today I am feeling encouraged and I can greatly feel the love and mercy of God that has been so abundantly demonstrated in my life. The podcast I was listening to this morning was talking about a “true repentance”. Maybe you can relate to what I am about to say, but how often do we present a polished facade in church on Sunday mornings, only to revert to a reckless and undisciplined lifestyle the rest of the week? The dichotomy here between our public worship and our private actions is a call to embrace authenticity and strive for a consistent, God honoring lifestyle every day of the week. True repentance is a “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” as it says in the book of Joel. When we seek God to give us a new heart, we embrace the fullness of what repentance has to offer.
Reflecting on the past five days, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible community of support surrounding me. Instead of facing backlash, I have witnessed the grace and mercy of God poured out over my life in the most humbling of ways. This journey is far from easy, but I am determined to not let the enemy claim victory. I firmly believe that God has great plans for my life, just as He does for yours. In moments of struggle, it is this divine assurance of the Lord’s promises and the unwavering support from those around me that keep me moving forward with faith and hope.
Thank you.
_Joshua
Honi the Circle Maker is a Jewish sage and Mishnaic prophet from the first century who is said to have ended a drought by drawing circles in the sand and praying to God for rain. The legend of Honi is said to demonstarte the power of prayer to change history.
Day 4 - Tues, July 16, 2024
Today, the transparency and bravery that I have found within myself to share my struggle has now brought out a whirlwind of heavy emotions and psychological stress. Yet, I am working to remind my heart and mind that the rewards from risking my reputation are going to have great impact. In "Circle Maker," the book I mentioned yesterday, it speaks about drawing prayer circles around the significant obstacles or walls we encounter in life; such as in this case of addiction. Today's chapter resonated deeply with my current emotional journey of facing my fears head-on. The larger the circle we draw around our challenges, the more foolish we might feel after. However, “if we don't dare to step out of the boat, we'll never experience the miracle of walking on water. Similarly, without circling the city, walls won't crumble, and without following the star, we miss out on life's greatest adventures.” To witness miracles of any kind, risk is essential. We must be willing to put our reputations on the line for God to establish His reputation in our lives.
Ripping off the bandaid is not easy, and the shame that comes with it is debilitating. However, we can believe today that choosing to press into the Lord during times of trauma, and opening ourselves to the healing power of His love and sufficient grace will give us strength to endure. Believing confidently in His healing hand and knowing that He is with us every step of the way, leads us to restoration. When we have unwavering faith, it allows us to surrender our pain and fears, allowing God to mend our hearts and renew our spirits. Healing is a journey, and with the Lord's guidance, we can navigate through our trauma towards a place of peace and wholeness.
_Joshua
“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.” Revelation 2:26-27
Day 3 - Mon, July 15, 2024
This morning I jumped in my car and drove up the closest Starbucks to have some alone time with the Lord in His word, and also read a couple chapters of a book I’m currently reading through, Circle Maker. I was reminded of the importance of maintaining daily communion with God; It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and neglect spiritual disciplines. When we stop and reflect on Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as the foundation of our faith is reaffirming that even in the midst of great struggles like an addiction, victory is assured because of His promises. Our commitment to not only pray through our battles but also praise Him through them highlights a deep trust in God’s faithfulness. This practice not only strengthens our faith but also serves as a testimony of hope and resilience to others.
On that note, I hope you took a minute to read the scripture to the left. As I was meditating on this passage, all I could think of was Mandisa’s song, Overcomer. Christ's calling for us to be over comers with Him is a powerful reminder that our strength and victory come not from our own efforts, but from His completed work. He desires to empower us, even to the point of ruling over nations, as a testament to His grace and authority. The phrase "he that overcometh" serves as both a command and an encouragement, urging us to actively engage in our spiritual journey, even when facing bondage. When it comes to overcoming challenges like addiction, this journey requires intentional action; it won't happen by chance. Seeking help and embracing accountability within a supportive community are vital steps. By leaning on each other and the strength that Christ provides, we can find the courage and resilience to overcome any obstacle.
_Joshua
“Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” James 5:16
Day 2 - Sun, July 14, 2024
Today was a transformative Sunday morning at church. For the first time in ages, I felt like a foreigner to the Lord as I walked in, sitting on the fifth row from the front, tears streaming down my face. As if meeting Jesus for the first time, I encountered a raw, overwhelming love of God during worship that I hadn't felt in years. The sermon was about being "All In," which struck a chord deep within me. I came to a transparent realization that I wasn't fully committed, held back by a secret struggle that had hijacked my life, peace, marriage, and overall joy. After the service, I approached a lady I knew was a prayer warrior; she was at every prayer gathering on Tuesday Mornings. She took me aside, prayed over my heart and mind, and reassured me of God's restoring power over my addiction. This experience reaffirmed the profound power of communal prayer and the importance of seeking support from others.
_Joshua
“It hit me in the face today that I have been a liar to myself and therefore lying to others; I have not been fully transparent, so here it is. My name is Josh Templeton and I am currently in recovery for a porn addiction.”
Day 1 - Sat, July 13, 2024
Today marks the beginning of a transformative journey for me, as I confront and accept the denial of my porn addiction and invite Jesus to carry out His redeeming work in my life. My home church, The Rock of Gainesville, has been encouraging us to be "ALL IN" in our faith, and this message has deeply resonated with me. I have come to the realization that I haven't been fully committed because I have been concealing a secret sin. Opening up about this hidden burden is both daunting and liberating at the same time, but I believe that through Jesus' grace and guidance, I can step into the boundless freedom He offers. By surrendering my struggles to Him, I am ready to embrace the path of redemption and live a life of genuine faith and integrity.
I would love for you to follow my journey!
_Joshua
Thanks for your support!
