Higher Stakes Testimony: Darlene

I have been blessed to have a wonderful mentor named Karen Wilkinson, who stood by me, with me and even stood up to me along the way. I began to gamble a little while in the military, just for fun and only once in awhile. This began a habit of sin that would last for over thirty years. Growing up under the guardianship of social services, I spent most of my childhood in a state-supported boarding school. I became very independent and extremely strong-willed, never able to let go of my unfortunate past. Having had a wonderful thirty-year marriage and two wonderful sons, I never thought I would be needy. But, after the loss of my youngest son and, one year later the death of his father and my beloved husband, I got lost in the grief and pain. Early in my life, many were sent by God to try to help save my soul. But I refused until I was led to salvation about two years before these deaths. I was attending church regularly, but also gambling on a regular basis. I did not feel I was hurting anyone, so therefore I thought it was all right. I was trying to fill this void in my life with gambling, yet I had this incredibly empty feeling deep inside my heart, and I knew that I needed spiritual fulfillment. I became extremely needy. I was looking for needs to be met in the wrong place. During the Christmas Season of 2005, while looking for Christmas cards on the Internet, God put me on the Setting Captives Free site, and I knew deep down inside that I needed to be here. My sin of gambling was increasing, and I was beginning to feel defeated. I would gamble and then ask God to forgive me and promise to never do it again - over and over, I went through the same sick act. Once I began the Higher Stakes course at Setting Captives Free, I knew God had a plan for me, I just needed to give up my strong will and accept what Jesus Christ had to offer. He gave me "peace" for the past, "grace" for the present, and "hope" for the future. God began a process within me through Setting Captives Free; a process of repentance, forgiveness, and purifying my soul that has not stopped to this day! I pray that it never will, and that I will always experience the peace and passion of God's love in my heart now and forever. I have placed my situation in his hands. Through prayer, I am asking for wisdom and, by faith, I am asking God to continue his process in me. It is because of Gods grace, mercy and long-suffering that I am where I am today. FREE FROM THE SIN OF GAMBLING. I am thankful for the ministry of Setting Captives Free, and devoted mentors such as Karen Wilkinson, who give freely of their time and resources to help other individuals have freedom from sin and assist others in their walk with God. I have been so blessed through this course. Not only do I have freedom from gambling, but I now have a relationship with my Heavenly Father. I was able not only to deal with the addiction of gambling, but many strongholds that have had me in bondage for years. I am very thankful for God's grace.