Gracelyn was raised in the church and even committed her life to Christ at the age of 12.
But then something terrible happened that sent her on a downward spiral that lasted for years.
“When I was 14 years old, I was sexually assaulted by the same sex,” she explains.
As a result of this sexual trauma, Gracelyn began acting out sexually.
She became compulsively addicted to pornography and her compulsion only grew worse as she got older and faced more struggles.
“My dad passed away…the first day of my freshman year of high school.”
Adding to her early trauma, losing her father led to pornography becoming a daily, even hourly, habit for Gracelyn.
During her high school years, she watched “about four hours of porn every day” to numb the pain, confusion, and loneliness she felt inside.
“When I watched the videos, it gave me an adrenaline rush,” she admitted.
“It was like insulin to me…I needed it.”
But as much as she sought out pornography, it never truly filled the void in her heart.
“I dealt with heavy confusion, identity issues… I was only trying to fill a void.”
Gracelyn felt lost in her addiction, trapped in the cycle of watching porn, seeking greater and greater thrills, yet never feeling truly fulfilled.
That was when she knew something had to change.
“I was so desperate that I prayed to an invisible God,” she shared. “I didn’t know that God was real, I didn’t know that I could have a relationship with Him personally.”
Even though she had grown up hearing the truth of Scripture, it took the struggle of a pornography addiction to help Gracelyn realize that, just like everyone else, she needed a Savior.
“God, if You’re real, I need you to reveal my own heart to me,” Gracelyn prayed. “I need You to show me what is wrong with this addiction.”
She prayed and fasted fervently, begging God to free her from the downward spiral she felt so trapped inside.
She also confessed her addiction to her mother, who helped her start to pray through it.
They knew that only God could free Gracelyn from the chains of her addiction — and He did!
As she turned to God and repented, Gracelyn was startled to find that her desires were shifted.
“My soul didn’t even want to watch porn anymore,” she said, rejoicing in her newfound freedom.
Determined not to backslide, she culled everything from her life that might lead her back to pornography and replaced it with Godly pursuits like Bible study.
Just like the believers in Ephesus “who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all,” Gracelyn forsook all that could lead her back into evil ways.
And as God often does when he rescues us out of sin, He had a plan.
It was at this point that Gracelyn realized she could have an impact on others struggling with pornography addiction and impurity.
She began to share inspirational stories on social media, sharing her testimony in hopes that others would understand God’s power to free them from sin.
Gracelyn started a YouTube channel to share her story. Since its beginnings, the channel has grown into a series of videos covering topics from purity to homosexuality, and people of all ages have tuned in to hear what she has to say.
Now passionate about bringing the message of purity to others around her, Gracelyn has started a website and hopes to host purity conferences across the country.
Gracelyn’s goal is “to break the stereotype that purity only consists of abstinence and saving sex,” reads her website, adding that Gracelyn believes purity concerns “a lifestyle of cleanliness, righteousness, and holiness.”
That’s a rare life in our day and age!
“Today I am speaking on purity regarding your mind, your body, and your soul,” Gracelyn said. “So not only purity as in abstinence, but purity as a lifestyle.”
She’s eager to share the grace and forgiveness she found in Jesus with others.
“No matter what you’ve done, no matter what you’ve been through, there’s always redemption through Christ Jesus…purity is possible.”
It’s a powerful reminder for all of us that God desires our purity and is always willing to fight for it.
To find out more about Gracelyn and to support her work, visit her website. And be sure to keep this bold young woman in your prayers as she spreads the message of purity to our generation!
