Substitute for Masturbation

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phil8888

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Little background. I’ve had a struggle with porn and masturbation for some time, maybe 15 years. Anyway, I’ve gone to date well over a month without masturbating so for me this is a major accomplishment. It is by far the longest I’ve ever gone.

Question: I feel like masturbation gave me a high, probably released things into my body, made me feel good. I’m wondering other ways I can get these natural chemicals in my body. I hope this makes sense.
 
Pray, go to church, change your routine, whatever it takes, fight the temptation with all your strength.
 
I would echo the others, exercise will release natural endorphins that may give you a similar “high”. However, this may be a perfect time for you to step back and look at some more important spiritual questions. What if you can’t replace this feeling with something else? How would you feel about that? Would it make you consider returning to your sin? In that case, the need to feel good at all costs may be the real problem to face.

Sexual sins are intensely and immediately pleasurable, much like the effect of a drug. That’s one reason they’re so hard to shake. There are different schools of thought on how to best kick a drug habit. From the little I know about drug rehab though, replacing illegal heroin with legal methadone isn’t nearly as successful on average as other programs like 12 step. Do you see the analogy?

I think rather than looking for an immediate replacement, I would recommend spending some time in prayer where you try to acknowledge to God that you have a tendency to place a high priority on these feelings - the emotional or physical rush. Make a resolution that even if you can’t find an activity that replaces the feelings you got from your sins, you still don’t want to sin again. Remember that Christ asked us all to take up our crosses every day and follow Him. It may be that one of your crosses is learning to live with less of those chemicals that make you feel good.

God is extremely happy with the efforts you’re making, and that should make you feel good…in a different way. At the end of the day, exercise is definitely a legitimate alternative and can certainly help you to avoid this sin. But also think about Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane:
Luke 22:41-44
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And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.
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There are several things in this passage that apply to your question. Jesus was human and like all of us, he did not like to experience pain. He was so anxious about the upcoming Passion and Crucifixion that He was sweating blood! So He asked the Father if there was any alternative to torture and death on the cross that would be acceptable. But at the same time…He made a firm commitment to follow the Father’s will no matter what. Because of this perfect faith and determination on His part, the Father sent angels to strengthen Him for the necessity of the Passion.

Follow Christ’s example and God will send you every grace to avoid this sin in the future! You’re in my prayers and great job! 👍
 
Hello, i also had this same problem but i also managed ot get away from it. The first step that allowed me to stop masterbating was going to confession. Actually having to say that to my priest made me realize how sinful and shameful that act is. Another thing is if you are on the computer and are feeling tempted to look up porn jsut walk away right there becuase from my past experiences i found out that the longer i would stay on the computer debating with myself the eventual outcome would be looking up porn. Hope my post helps.
 
phil8888 said:
Little background. I’ve had a struggle with porn and masturbation for some time, maybe 15 years. Anyway, I’ve gone to date well over a month without masturbating so for me this is a major accomplishment. It is by far the longest I’ve ever gone. < I remember reading somewhere that it took 21 days to establish a new habit. If that’s true your habit NOW is NOT to do it. Congrats. 👍

Question: I feel like masturbation gave me a high, probably released things into my body, made me feel good. I’m wondering other ways I can get these natural chemicals in my body. I hope this makes sense.
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Coffee and baseball! But make it good coffee and a good team lol. By the power invested in me I pronounce you … ANGEL fan!

Angels will remind you why you made the substitution. Padres or Cardinals have a Catholic sound to them too. OR root root root for your home team! Lol.

You now know that you have power over the sin. Keep the graces flowing with frequent communion and confession (even when your conscience tells you you’ve only sinned venially).

The temptations (and urges) might still come but changing the channel on the mental precursors to the action, occupying the mind and body with something else right AWAY,
are not only good strategies, but an actual living in holiness. The HARDER it is to give up … the greater gift you are offering up.

Mastering this can also make folks more appreciative of their marriage partner later (if you are single now). And make the coming together that more special - leading to a stronger marriage and other good things.

God is on our side too. He will help us overcome any sin. And is rooting for us to BE Angels. (All right, SAINTS)!

It may seem like I’m kidding here, but changing my mental channel to “I wonder if our rookie lefty can neutralize those Yankees tonight.” And checking stats … calmed me right down or made me forgetful of the … more destructive thoughts that preceeded that sin.

Sex is a gift, and the Lord will lead us in how and how not to use it. Jesus Himself was celibate … but through Him all things were made and He once said “be fruitful and multiply”. We are made to be attracted to the opposite sex (His doing) but sex is such a powerful thing that it can be dangerous. Like flying a supersonic jet badly 😉

Don’t ask me what to do after the World Series. 😛
 
phil8888 Just noticed you lived in Vancouver, BC. This years’ Seattle Mariners (your closest team) might not be the team to give you that substitute baseball high. I hear the coffee served up in your neck of the woods is legendary though. 🙂

Baseball can be depressing too. Even the Champions let you down about 60 + times a year.
 
Start a garden. There’s no pleasure greater than growing your own food. Taking a bite into that first, juicy, homegrown tomato… whew! Good stuff.

If you need any tips on starting let me know in a message. It’s pretty much my life.
 
I suppose you could also take up crocheting or knitting. As they say, idle hands are the tool of the Devil.
 
Watch the Pittsburgh Pirates, it might give you that kind of high with the way they are playing right now and you can watch the best player in the league, Andrew McCuthchen. 😃
 
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