Willow
10-02-2007, 01:30 PM
Hey Reg, I found this blog and thought of the book you were reading. I thought this was a good blog. I haven't read the book yet... but think I need to coz it keeps coming up.
Who Are Safe People?
Those who choose to face their personal struggle with a bad habit or addictive pattern are brave folks. It takes courage to admit you are not in control and need help. One of the bits of advice that I often give to individuals seeking to overcome their sexual addictions is to surround themselves with "safe" people. I want to take this short article to expand on this idea and attempt to define what makes certain people "safe."
Sometimes to define something it helps to describe its opposite. Many of us can recognize who unsafe people are before we could recognize the safe ones. Unsafe people are those individuals who draw us toward those thoughts and behaviors that are unhealthy or dangerous. For example, an unsafe person for a male sex addict might be a "loose" female co-worker who dresses provocatively and is always attempting to sexualize conversations. While it may be easy (or easier) to spot unsafe people, how do you find safe people?
The following are 7 key characteristics present in safe people:
1. Safe people are non-judgmental.
When you get serious about dealing with your secret addiction(s) you need people who are not spending their time judging you for your mistakes. You struggle enough with self-condemnation, you don't need someone else telling you what a mess-up you are. Safe people don't judge you.
2. Safe people listen.
When you reach out for help you need people who will really listen to your struggles. Safe people let you share your story and all the difficulty you have faced in carrying your secret sin alone. There is a sort of empathy with safe people. While they may not have traveled the exact same road, they listen with their heart and want to truly help.
3. Safe people maintain strong boundaries.
One of the dangers of seeking out safe people is that you might be so amazed at their compassion and care that you begin to move too close too quickly, and possibly confuse genuine help with old patterns in your addiction. Safe people, however, also know how to establish and maintain healthy boundaries that represent appropriate interaction and assistance. For instance, a safe person will not miss their son's baseball game just because you are having a weak moment. They will give you their time and energy when it is appropriate and falls in line with their other priorities.
4. Safe people protect confidentiality.
Trust is critical in the healing and recovery process. And trust is gained when safe people protect your confidentiality. You must know that the deep, dark secrets you are sharing will not end up in the city newspaper over the weekend. Safe people take confidentiality very seriously and will carry your pain to their grave if they must in order to secure your trust.
5. Safe people tell the truth in love.
Some people who may appear to be safe are really just looking for a way to present themselves as superior. They may tell you the truth (i.e. "If you continue lusting over porn, you will destroy your life"), but they do so in a harsh, angry fashion. Safe people know how to tell you the truth in love. They are not pointing out your weaknesses to pump themselves up, but rather to help you move toward purity and a life that truly brings satisfaction.
6. Safe people pray for wisdom (i.e. they are humble).
Anyone willing to help another person with their most vulnerable area of weakness must understand that they need wisdom. And gaining wisdom requires humility ("the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"). You can often spot the safe people by how often they ask God for wisdom, knowing that apart from His leading they could lead you astray. These are the kind of people you want around when traveling the road to recovery.
7. Safe people help you get help.
Finally, safe people know their limitations and have a heart of willingness to get you the help you need. They will walk with you as you expand your network of support to include a counselor, support group, or other individuals to help you reach the goal of a godly life. When dealing with life's difficulties you need those with a servant's heart to lead you to the appropriate help.
As you walk through life, keep your eyes open for safe people. They will become your greatest asset in a life well lived.
Who Are Safe People?
Those who choose to face their personal struggle with a bad habit or addictive pattern are brave folks. It takes courage to admit you are not in control and need help. One of the bits of advice that I often give to individuals seeking to overcome their sexual addictions is to surround themselves with "safe" people. I want to take this short article to expand on this idea and attempt to define what makes certain people "safe."
Sometimes to define something it helps to describe its opposite. Many of us can recognize who unsafe people are before we could recognize the safe ones. Unsafe people are those individuals who draw us toward those thoughts and behaviors that are unhealthy or dangerous. For example, an unsafe person for a male sex addict might be a "loose" female co-worker who dresses provocatively and is always attempting to sexualize conversations. While it may be easy (or easier) to spot unsafe people, how do you find safe people?
The following are 7 key characteristics present in safe people:
1. Safe people are non-judgmental.
When you get serious about dealing with your secret addiction(s) you need people who are not spending their time judging you for your mistakes. You struggle enough with self-condemnation, you don't need someone else telling you what a mess-up you are. Safe people don't judge you.
2. Safe people listen.
When you reach out for help you need people who will really listen to your struggles. Safe people let you share your story and all the difficulty you have faced in carrying your secret sin alone. There is a sort of empathy with safe people. While they may not have traveled the exact same road, they listen with their heart and want to truly help.
3. Safe people maintain strong boundaries.
One of the dangers of seeking out safe people is that you might be so amazed at their compassion and care that you begin to move too close too quickly, and possibly confuse genuine help with old patterns in your addiction. Safe people, however, also know how to establish and maintain healthy boundaries that represent appropriate interaction and assistance. For instance, a safe person will not miss their son's baseball game just because you are having a weak moment. They will give you their time and energy when it is appropriate and falls in line with their other priorities.
4. Safe people protect confidentiality.
Trust is critical in the healing and recovery process. And trust is gained when safe people protect your confidentiality. You must know that the deep, dark secrets you are sharing will not end up in the city newspaper over the weekend. Safe people take confidentiality very seriously and will carry your pain to their grave if they must in order to secure your trust.
5. Safe people tell the truth in love.
Some people who may appear to be safe are really just looking for a way to present themselves as superior. They may tell you the truth (i.e. "If you continue lusting over porn, you will destroy your life"), but they do so in a harsh, angry fashion. Safe people know how to tell you the truth in love. They are not pointing out your weaknesses to pump themselves up, but rather to help you move toward purity and a life that truly brings satisfaction.
6. Safe people pray for wisdom (i.e. they are humble).
Anyone willing to help another person with their most vulnerable area of weakness must understand that they need wisdom. And gaining wisdom requires humility ("the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"). You can often spot the safe people by how often they ask God for wisdom, knowing that apart from His leading they could lead you astray. These are the kind of people you want around when traveling the road to recovery.
7. Safe people help you get help.
Finally, safe people know their limitations and have a heart of willingness to get you the help you need. They will walk with you as you expand your network of support to include a counselor, support group, or other individuals to help you reach the goal of a godly life. When dealing with life's difficulties you need those with a servant's heart to lead you to the appropriate help.
As you walk through life, keep your eyes open for safe people. They will become your greatest asset in a life well lived.