Owning vs. Minimizing
I know there is a battle raging inside you. You want painful consequences removed and life to be normal again. You want to be free from the struggle and free from shame. Part of you just wants to run away from it all. And then there is the part that really wants some kind of sexual release.
Remember, friend. One day at a time.
This is one battle that you must win in order to walk in freedom. Everyone who has ever walked where you are walking has fought the battle of minimization. I have, and I know you are. Fight this fight early, and fight it hard. We must fully own what we have done. One of the most damaging things we can do to ourselves and to the ones we love in the restoration process is to minimize the effect of our sin on others and ourselves.
I’m not talking about shaming yourself. Negative self-talk won’t help you change. In fact, it will prevent you from finding freedom. What I am talking about is taking responsibility for what you’ve done – without minimizing, justifying, or blaming someone else.
– Troy Haas, First Steps