In Genesis 37, Jacob had a funeral for a son who was not dead.
Yes, Joseph had been taken and abused. But he was not dead. His captors faked the man’s death, but he was not dead. They even brought a bloody robe to their father. But Joseph was not dead.
“He [Jacob] recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces” (Genesis 37:33).
Jacob had a funeral for a son who was not dead.
Studies show that at any time, about 25 percent of us report high levels of anxiety. And 85 percent of the things we worry about never actually take place.
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
