FGC #64: Healing through Theology of the Body, with Micah Byers

Faith & Good Counsel Show with Staci Gulino

Micah Byer's May 19, 2015 interview was quite an interview.... The witness of this young man is a testimony to the innocence of a child exposed to the darkness of pornography and an example of just how far a man can fall from the ravages of that wound. That's the bad news...the heartbreaking news.... But, thanks be to God, there is good news! Listen in as Micah shares his story, and his redemption through Christ and who he is in his creation as male "from the beginning" through the gift of St. John Paul II's teaching of Theology of the Body. DISCLAIMER: Please protect the ears, hearts and minds of innocent ones for this audio episode. Though the majority of graphic details are shrouded or not a part of the program, the topic is nonetheless one that is not appropriate for children/other innocent souls in my view. Micah is such a gift! He is an incredible musician, and I anticipate great beauty for our world coming from his heart and God-given talents, in conjunction with his ever growing understanding of his identity through Theology of the Body. I ask you to please keep this precious young man and his family in your prayers as he continues his healing, and as he approaches his wedding date to his beloved very soon. God bless you, Micah, for your courage and your openness in sharing your story! Wise words from Micah to you: "Reach out to your family, close friends, pastors, don't be stubborn and afraid like I was by not seeking help. SEEK HELP......You can't do this alone. I would find myself asking God for help to beat this addiction, He offered help to me through the people that were in my life and I rejected their help." "Family members, close friends, and pastors, be Agape. Love this person unconditionally. Do not shame them, their bodies, or their desires. Learn about this addiction and the disease of addiction, it is truly no different than alcoholism or drug addiction." My friends, I tell you straight up that healing from pornography addiction cannot be done alone. The powerful grip of the evil one is too great in addictions, especially those related to our sexuality and our creation as male and female. Here are a few resources for you or your loved one to begin the journey of healing: The amazing work of Dr. Peter Kleponis, Ph.D. here, here, and especially here. Reclaim Sexual Health Catholic Psychotherapy Matt Fradd/The Porn Effect Theology of the Body Institute More and more women are becoming addicted to pornography. Beautiful singer Audrey Assad shares her journey of healing here. Here's a post written by Micah which was posted at the TOB Institute site: "3 Ways TOB Better Prepared Us for Marriage" The more I pondered on Micah's words in his interview and thoughts above, the more I felt a need to share some of my thoughts with you. Of course, I had way too many thoughts to share. Here is just a shortish reflection...quite a bit more than usual, I know:). What powerful words and witness from such a precious young man who has been in the deadly grip of the evil one through rather advanced forms of pornography. (Yeah, the devil IS REAL, ya'll, and prowling about seeking the ruin of as many souls as possible in the time he has left.) Micah brought forth so much in these few short sentences as an offering of love and mercy to anyone who may in need, and is offering the redemptive healing he has/is receiving as a gift to you and your loved ones! How humbling and magnificent that Micah has united with God's will for him to pour himself out as a vessel of beauty to a broken world. But....with healing comes a responsibility - the healing is not just for the healed; rather it is meant as well to be offered in humility to the whole world! That's the call for ALL of us. By his witness, Micah is showing us how to embrace that responsibility with great courage and openness to God's will. Micah asks all to avoid stubbornness and fear in seeking help,