Counterfeit Comforts: When the Things That Numb You Destroy You

When life gets heavy, where do you run?

 

In this episode, we expose the counterfeit comforts we turn to—porn, weed, distractions, relationships—and show how only Jesus truly heals. If you’ve been numbing the pain, it’s time to run to the One who restores.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Hey Fam, welcome back to the JESUS loves u Podcast.

(00:04):
— where we bring the real Jesus into real-life conversations.
Today, we’re talking about something most people deal with, but few actually recognize.
Counterfeit Comforts.
The things we run to when life gets hard.
— that promise peace but deliver pain.
Let’s break it down.
⸻ We all go through stress,heartbreak,loneliness,anxiety… And instead of running to God,

we often run to (00:27):
• Porn.
• Weed or alcohol.
• Food.
• Toxic relationships.
• Social media scrolling.
• Shopping.
• Numbing entertainment.
• Overworking.
• Or isolating ourselves.
And here’s the thing — it works… for a moment.
You feel better… until you don’t.

(00:48):
That’s why it’s called counterfeit.
It comforts, but doesn’t heal.
It silences the pain, but never fixes the root.
It gives temporary relief, but long-term damage.
⸻ Most of the time, we’re not trying to rebel.
We’re just trying to survive.
You want to feel okay.
You want to shut off the thoughts.
You want to forget the heartbreak.

(01:09):
And the enemy knows that.
So he offers quick fixes.
Cheap peace.
Fast highs.
Empty wells.
“They have forsaken Me,the fountain of living waters,
and dug broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
” — Jeremiah 2:13.
⸻ Satan offers numbness.
Jesus offers healing.

(01:30):
Satan says, “Take this and forget.
” Jesus says, “Come to Me and I’ll restore.
” “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
” — Matthew 11:28.
Real comfort doesn’t come from escape.
It comes from presence.
And there’s no greater comfort than being with the One who made you.

(01:50):
⸻ So let’s make this real.
What does it actually mean to “run to Jesus” instead of your usual escape?
It means turning to Him first.
— with your pain, your weakness, and your temptations.

Here’s what that can look like (02:03):
• You tell Him the truth.
“Jesus, I’m anxious.
I want to sin.
I want to disappear.
But I’m coming to You instead.
” • You open your Bible before you open the bottle.
You choose the Word as your rescue.
Read Psalm 34.
Matthew 11.
Any verse that breathes life.

(02:23):
• You pray raw, not polished.
“Help me.
Be near.
I don’t want to fall again.
” That’s enough.
• You worship through the tears.
Music that lifts Jesus will also lift your spirit.
Choose praise over passivity.
• You invite Him into the pain.
Don’t hide it.
Say, “Lord, I feel broken.

(02:44):
Sit with me in it.
” And He will.
• You obey when it’s hard.
Saying no to the sin is painful at first.
— but it leads to peace.
Running to Jesus doesn’t mean you won’t still feel the temptation… It means you choose truth anyway.
And that choice builds strength over time.
⸻ So what now?

Here are the steps to get free and stay free (03:02):
1.
Name your counterfeit.
What’s the thing you run to when you feel empty?
2.
Confess it to God.
He already knows.
Now let Him heal it.
3.
Replace it with truth.

Every time you feel the urge, stop and say (03:18):
“Jesus, You are enough.
” 4.
Fill your life with His presence.
Get in the Word.
Pray.
Surround yourself with Spirit-led people.
The more full you are of Him, the less space there is for counterfeits.
⸻ Fam, you don’t need porn to survive.
You don’t need the blunt, the bottle, or the binge.

(03:40):
You don’t need the attention, the scrolling, or the silence.
You need Jesus.
And He’s not just enough — He’s better.
⸻ Let’s pray.
Lord, show me what I’ve been running to instead of You.
I lay down every false comfort, every quick fix, and every escape.
Heal the pain I’ve been trying to cover.
Be my peace.

(04:01):
Be my refuge.
You are enough.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
⸻ If this episode hit home, don’t keep it to yourself.
Share it with someone you love.
Start a real conversation.
And above all — run to the only One who truly heals.
This is the JESUS Loves U Podcast.
Stay rooted.

(04:21):
Stay real.
Stay in Christ.
Love you, Fam.