As this is published (in the Fall of 2018), my husband and I have been in recovery for over a year now. If you had told me then what my life would look like today, I wouldn’t have believed you. Continue reading Recovery: A Spouse’s Experience, part 3 – What Life is Like Now
Tag Archives: God’s love
Recovery: A Spouse’s Experience, part 3 – What Life is Like Now
Recovery: A Spouse’s Experience, part 2 – The Road to Recovery
Recovery: A Spouse’s Experience, part 2 – The Road to Recovery
The sickening reality of betrayal can feel hopeless. After years of living in fear and anxiety, connected to my husband’s addiction, I became exhausted. I just couldn’t do it anymore.
Continue reading Recovery: A Spouse’s Experience, part 2 – The Road to Recovery
Recovery: A Spouse’s Experience, part 1 – What Life Was Like
Recovery: A Spouse’s Experience, part 1 – What Life Was Like
What happened with my husband’s addiction was painful, hard, and unfair. My story may look and sound different than another person’s—circumstances can vary slightly or drastically. Continue reading Recovery: A Spouse’s Experience, part 1 – What Life Was Like
What Makes Something Better…
What Makes Something Better…
“People don’t need just sympathy, and shaming never helped anyone. However, empathy is the full embodiment of truth and compassion, and helps heal hurting hearts.”
-Mike Foster, People of the Second Chance
Going to Jesus with My Desires (Jane DoE)
Going to Jesus with My Desires (Jane DoE)
I am literally sitting here, in front of my computer, trying to get every last bit of freshly baked muffin off of the wrapper while I sip my coffee and try to put into words the frustration, anger, sadness and hopelessness it is to be me right now.
The Keys to the Candy Store, Part 2
The Keys to the Candy Store, Part 2
In our last post we began looking at the unintentional damage that takes place in many pastors’ offices, when wives of porn/sex addicts are encouraged that their husbands’ problems might get better if only they were more sexually available. The first two things ministry leaders who counsel couples need to understand about sexual addiction are:
It’s The Most Triggering Time of the Year
It’s The Most Triggering Time of the Year
Christmas is a great time of the year. In fact, some might say (or sing) that it’s the most wonderful time of the year. You know, jingle-belling, mistle-toeing, etc. It’s great. Continue reading It’s The Most Triggering Time of the Year
The Big “M”
The Big “M”
I discovered it when I was 11 years old. I don’t exactly remember how I discovered it. In fact, I didn’t even know what it was called at the time. Continue reading The Big “M”
If Jesus Were Here… (Jane DoE)
If Jesus Were Here… (Jane DoE)
If you are someone who has been hurt by the church and reading this blog post, let me be one voice among many who simply say “I’m so sorry.”
I’m sorry the church hurts so many of its own members.
I’m sorry for things that are said with the best intentions, for privileges or opportunities that are taken away because of your recovery and their fear, for being without a place, without community, without compassion, and times, without hope.
I’m sorry for your struggle with deep pains when others seem not to.
(Spoiler alert – everyone has deep hurts. Some just conceal it really really really well.)
Jesus is real and present. He meets us in the places where we hurt, the places we hide, the places we long to be fully known and fully loved.
In leading the women’s group through Sexual Sanity for Women this spring, I was continually drawn to how Jesus loved women caught in sex and love addiction – the woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery, and Mary Magdalene.
Jesus wasn’t repulsed by their sin or unhealthy relationships and habits. Jesus relentlessly pursued them, even when they changed the topic in conversation or were missing his point entirely. Jesus wasn’t flustered when they were brought bare naked before him. Jesus wasn’t superficial in suggesting a substitutionary solution to a gaping wound of addiction. Jesus went for the jugular. Jesus offered hope and connection while these women were in a place of desperation and loneliness.
The woman at the well wanted to be fully known. She marveled at how deeply Jesus knew her. Everyone else already knew everything she had done. But after meeting Jesus, she ran to tell people “Come and meet this man who told me everything I’ve ever done!”
The woman caught in adultery wanted to be free of shame. She was dragged, unclothed, and completely exposed in front of not only Jesus, but a large group of men. Jesus didn’t judge her. AT. ALL. He simply said “Go and sin no more.” She left covered in grace.
Mary Magdalene was someone Jesus met and engaged in community with, so much so that she is one of the women at the foot of the cross in Christ’s last moments. Jesus wasn’t afraid to be seen with her. Jesus cherished her in a way no other man had. Jesus healed the wound of unhealthy male relationships. She learned how men can be our brothers through Christ and the love of the disciples.
I’m so sorry. I’m sorry the church has hurt you. It’s hurt me too. But we are human. Part of recovery is healing. This healing is continual, consistent and exponential. When we are actively pursuing recovery, we realize how much we need grace and we are able to extend that grace to others.
Jesus set an amazing example. But He is Jesus. We get a tiny peek at what heaven will be like through being a part of the local body of Christ in our communities. And they are absolutely imperfect. People say the wrong things, do the wrong deeds, and think the wrong thoughts.
Have you ever thought about the responsibility we in the recovery community have as part of the church? Part of telling our story is sharing our recovery with safe people who are experiencing the same addictive behaviors we were once enslaved to. Many in the church are walking through a dark time of addiction, whether they are experiencing it themself or as a spouse, sibling, child or friend of someone who is enslaved to addictive behaviors. Christ died to set us free. Through recovery, we learn tools and healthy behaviors to become those completely unencumbered, free children of God. Even those in the local body are experiencing addiction. It is evident and active in the body of believers all around us. Whether it’s someone who hasn’t started recovery or someone who has been a sponsor for twenty years, Christ’s redemption and resurrection reaches into the recesses of the deepest parts of us, including our relationships.
It’s scary to expose yourself to others when you don’t know how they will react or who they will share your story with. It is your story to tell. Who is God calling you to share your story with? And how will your story impact someone else’s? These three women of the Bible have impacted my story. And they always will.
Jane DoE is a contributing writer to the Awaken blog. She facilitates an Awaken group in Birmingham, AL, for women who struggle with sex addiction. We’re excited that she is bringing us into her journey of recovery, as we realize that there are many other women who share her struggle. Our prayer is that through her journey, you’ll find hope and encouragement for your own.
Awaken also offers groups in Birmingham for men who struggle with sexual addiction, and for women who have been affected by their husbands’ or boyfriends’ addictions. Additionally, we have Twelve Step groups dealing with issues of addiction and control. CLICK HERE to get information on all of our group offerings. Or contact us with any questions you have.
Safe People – Jane DoE
Safe People – Jane DoE
I am a thirty year old, single female who is recovering from sex addiction.
In the summer of 2014, I betrayed the man I loved. To put it in counseling terms, I was “acting out.” In Christian circles, we call it sin. My sin was repeated. And confessed. And it took a lot of work to heal from that sin. Continue reading Safe People – Jane DoE
My name is Jane DoE…
My name is Jane DoE…
First, before I share my story, let me share the inspiration for my name. I have thought long and hard of how to blog with anonymity as a woman recovering from sex addiction. I wanted my nom de plume to have substance. I chose Jane DoE. Continue reading My name is Jane DoE…
Who You Say We Are
Who You Say We Are
“I’m a failure.”
“I’m a screw-up.”
“I’m a terrible person.”
“I’m awful.”
“I’m unlovable.”
How many times have we heard people say things like this, in times of hopelessness? Continue reading Who You Say We Are