Ep 30: Jason's Story

Jason: Darth Vader of Audio

Our own Darth Vader of Audio, Jason, sits down with Steve and James to talk about his pornography addiction and how he found recovery through honesty and vulnerability. Jason grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with a family that loved him. He talks about how his addiction affected his relationships with his wife, friends, and God. Through the grace of God, honesty, therapy, and vulnerability, Jason was rescued by our relentless God and has experienced profound changes in his life because of our Savior. If this story touches your life or you know it will touch someone's life, please consider sharing this with them.

Jason grew up in a loving home. He didn’t have many good friends as a young kid. He experienced some sexual trauma at a young age through hazing by some peers. Jason was introduced to pornography at age 9 and by age 15 he was seeking it out. He decided It wasn’t a big problem for him and he decided that he wanted to serve as a missionary for his church. While on his mission, Jason had a few issues with masturbation and worked through it with his mission president.

After returning home, Jason married his wife Katie, whom he had met in High School. He didn’t tell her about his addiction, and they went on to get married. He told her about it afterward, but described it as a problem that was in the past. A few months into their marriage, Katie found out that Jason had still been looking at pornography so they started therapy. 

Jason describes a relationship with God that is unwavering. He says he never doubted God’s love for him, even when he was struggling with his addiction. After a few years, Jason stopped going to therapy because he was comfortable with his situation. Jason fell back into his addiction and for 5 years he was secretly viewing pornography. Eventually, Jason started drinking and was viewing pornography daily. He was slowly losing his relationship with God, his wife, and his friends, then went into a faith crisis.

At the point he had decided to walk away from his faith, Jason describes how God showed up for him in a personal way. Jason chose to embrace honesty and pursue true recovery. Recognizing that he couldn’t win this fight on his own, Jason learned to truly surrender. He started to recognize that only God could take this burden from him. He learned to be humble, honest, let go of his self-will, to follow the 12 step program, and stop trying to control outcomes. 

Jason shares his keys to recovery. Things such as books like Fathered by God, podcasts like UnashamedUnafraid, brotherhood, connection, vulnerability, and 12 step meetings. His relationship with God has been deepened and strengthened. He now is filled with peace, love, and joy. 

The UU Crew is so thankful that Jason has entered their fellowship. If this story touches your life or you know it will touch someone's life, please consider sharing this with them.  Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook at @UnashamedUnafraid and please rate us on iTunes.