Some signposts for following the Lord Jesus

* It is a narrow road and not always the easy option. Choose to follow Christ for what He has done on the Cross - not for what He may do in the future.

* A root of homosexual orientation is usually a low self image and a desire to be different, which often encourages perfectionism. Perfectionists may demand a total change of homosexual orientation and reject Christianity if this doesn't happen. One of the biggest problems we face, therefore, is a lack of self-worth, manifested in one way or another. It seems to be the major root of homosexual development, ie the cause, not just the result *. We will discover our worth through the Lord Jesus as we learn to receive His love, and as we see Him using us to give love to others, whatever our feelings or situation. God will use us, not ‘despite of ourselves', but ‘because of ourselves'.

* Receive God's love and forgiveness. Share how you are feeling with God - use your mind to listen to the TRUTH of His response, rather than your feelings. Choose to believe the TRUTH about yourself and YOUR VALUE from God.

* Understand the needs that homosexuality is seeking to meet and how God wants to meet these needs Himself and through others. Listening to yourself and God will show what He is saying about your self image, relationships and lifestyle. Beneath sexual problems and frustrations are deep rooted needs for love and affirmation. Sex can often seem to be a ‘comfort' that tries to meet these needs. It can be difficult to break free from habitual or compulsive sexual behaviour because the driving force and feelings are so strong; but we do need to deal with the ‘presenting problems' - often through accountability to others. At the same time the underlying ‘love needs' or ‘driving force' must also be met. The Lord Jesus wants us to experience love from Him and from our brothers and sisters in Christ. He does not want us to be alone, either in the sense of our personal identity and spirituality or to be without human companionship. He does not want us to depend on sexual activity for fulfilment, but instead on God's love and on the love of others.

* Recognise you are working with the roots of your sexuality - it may or may not change. Your sexuality is a catalyst for growth - so appreciate its value, and that of others, within God's Kingdom. Accept the value of your story - ie life experiences, good and bad.