A Courageous Book Written by Two Brave Women

Hitz, Shelley and S’ambrosia Curtis. A Christian Woman’s Guide to Breaking Free from Pornography: It’s Not Just a Guy’s Problem.  Body and Soul Publishing: http://www.bodyandsoulpublishing.com/, 2012. ISBN-10: 061569389X ISBN-13: 978-0615693897 List price, $12.95

This guide looks at pornography from sociological, neurological, and personal perspectives. The authors wrote this book to provide assurance to women, especially Christian women, who struggle with the power of pornography in their lives. Hitz and Curtis believe that freedom from pornography is possible. A Christian Woman’s Guide to Breaking Free from Pornography is based on a premise that, while images do not disappear, they can be controlled by redirection of thought, Christian counseling, accountability, and relationship with God.

Dr. Judith Reisman indicates pornography “could be more addictive than crack cocaine because cocaine can be excreted from the body, whereas pornographic images … remain, structurally and neurochemically with a person forever.”  With this information, the authors show that pornography is deeply rooted in America, and holds certainly emotional if not physical consequences for those who become addicted.

Hitz and Curtis wrote this book “to open the door to confession and conversation among women in the Body of Christ who feel as though they are alone in this struggle.” They share their own journeys, “true stories of struggle and freedom,” and practical steps women can take “to break free” from their cycle of addiction to images or the written word. Throughout the eBook version, are links to other information and support available from or through the authors and other sources.

Two brave women have written a courageous book about a topic not often discussed from the pulpit, in small groups, or between accountability partners, which are the primary means of dissemination of support for Christians struggling with personal addictions. Hitz regularly speaks to teens and adults to share God’s truth, and the freedom in Christ she has found, with others. On her website, FindYourTrueBeauty.com  she shares her own story of hope and healing to inspire and encourage teens. Curtis is an English and sociology teacher at Salina Christian Academy. Each approached this project from her own battle with addiction to and freedom from pornography.

The tone of this book is objective and spiritual. The authors’ approach to this issue is straightforward but comfortable. Their use of personal stories, supported statistics, and information constitute a level of convincingness and urgency to their topic. The synthesis of information, shared guilt and practical steps provide a cohesive whole that is never vulgar or shocking. The Christian women that make up part of the 33% of the 40 million Americans who regularly visit porn sites; and struggle alone with their addiction and shame will find light, hope, and effective ways to approach their problem.

I was given an eBook of this title by the publisher for my unbiased review.