A United Front Testimony: Teresa

My husband and I have been married for 20+ years. We have struggled through many difficult seasons that have grown from his secret sins with pornography. Many times the lies, deceit and self-centeredness about destroyed our family and marriage. Recently, our lives became so full of pressures that whenever we did talk it would end up in an argument. Even though we are Christians, we were both frustrated and wishing we could walk away. I was feeling completely hopeless, worthless, ugly and in dispair. We both agreed something needed to change. I felt stuck, like there was no way to safely share the needs of our marriage with others. Then I heard Mike and Jody Clevelands testimony and knew that their site would offer hope. So, I recommended my husband consider looking on the Setting Captives Free website for help. When my husband enrolled, he shared that they also offered a course for wives and asked me to consider enrolling as well. During most of the study, I battled with expectations and wanting to control the events and changes that were occuring in our marriage. I desired (and was looking for) the same changes that others had shared. It took me a little longer to realize that I needed to COMPLETELY let go and focus on what God wanted from me. God would deal with my husband better than I ever could, I just needed to let go and let Him do it. The greatest thing that the study did for me was turning "my" heart back to Christ and understanding that my freedom and walk with Christ does not depend on my husbands. In that surrender, I have truly found freedom and hope again in Christ. More importantly, I have the tools to continue walking in that freedom. Our marriage is not perfect, and my husband is still struggling with other difficult sin habits, but now I am able to encourage him and love him through them. Thank you Jean and Setting Captives Free.