Testimonies

Joe:

Joe has a tendency toward to anger and domestic violence. Joe converted to Christianity, and subsequently admitted he has always struggled with anger and rage. He would often yell at his wife and hit the children severely if things did not go his way. He had trashed the house several times, broken furniture, and threatened to beat Joan. His conversion to Christ was genuine and he was baptized a week later at the church where his wife had attended for six years.

After his conversion his wife was disillusioned with Joe's salvation and his sincerity. Not because of Joe's prayer life or desire to read the Word, but because his anger persisted. He would pray often and even confess his sins. He enjoyed church and had a desire to follow Jesus. He openly told the pastors at the church that he shouldn't abuse his wife and children like he did, but he still failed. When he was under pressures from work, financial difficulties at home or when his leadership in the home was challenged he would lash out with anger and rage. The guilt would overwhelm him and he would repent again, but Joan was getting tired of the same old song and dance.

Joe was dealing with a lot of the shame and condemnation. He didn't feel like a very good Christian. Several friends recommended some wonderful Christian books on "Overcoming Anger", "Becoming Peaceful", "Finding Inward Tranquility". He read books, memorized scriptures and met with other men who had suffered the same disorder but nothing seemed to help him overcome. Some said it was genetic and therefore he would have to fight it the rest of his life. The temptation and urge was constantly brooding under the surface of his thoughts whenever things went less than perfect. Critical, condemning words would just pop out of nowhere. He would even use cursing and profanity in those moments of rage.

He went to his pastor to ask if he would ever be free. The answer wasn't very hopeful. He was told that he had a weakness and that he would have to fight it every day of his life.

"Live the crucified life," he was told. The urges wouldn't go away, but he would have Christ to help him fight them back. Stay in counseling, attend the support group and attend church regularly," was his pastors advice. Is there more hope for Joe? If he blows up one more time he will be asked to step down from the board of deacons at the church, Joan has threatened to leave him and he will face a demotion at work where they are asking he attend an anger management class.

There is hope through the truths taught at the New Horizon RecoverLife Course.

Rocky:

Rocky is a man who has struggled with pornography and multiple sexual addictions all of his life, yet he has been a faithful Christian for 14 years. He supports his church, loves the song service, enjoys prayer and wants desperately to be free. Over the years his addictions have damaged and perverted his relationship with his wife, compromised his purity and severely damaged his reputation as a Christian.

His positive influence on others has been miniscule. He has tried counseling, men's groups, accountability groups, repented hundreds of times, listened to tapes, read books and yet he still remains bound. Everyday he is tempted with sexual immorality and he falls regularly. He finds it hard to keep his mind off of immoral things. He masturbates and is ashamed to tell his wife how often. Like Joe, nothing spiritual has provided the relief that he so desperately needs and desires. He is caught in a trap! One of trying to prove that he is a Christian. Yet at the same time he is discouraged because he struggles so much with condemnation guilt and worthlessness. It's hard for him to imagine victory when he has failed for so long.

Dan:

Dan's father left the family and divorced his mother when he was twelve. Dan took it as a personal rejection and accepted it as his fault. Subsequent to that rejection and abandonment, he took on several negative attitudes; self hatred, rebellion, fear of failure and sexual immorality. He eventually attempted suicide. It was after that event that he came for help through RecoverLife.