When I went to my very first Overcomers in Christ meeting, I snuck into the room hoping that no one would see me. I was already a volunteer leader’s assistant, and didn’t want anyone to know I was going to Overcomers. I planned that if anyone asked me why I was there on a Wednesday, I would tell them I was going to a “class”.
I was 29 and had become a Christian 5 years earlier. Jesus was very real to me, and He helped me get free from many other hurts, habits, and hang-ups with the support of the church, but there was one I didn’t allow Jesus to heal.
My 16-year pornography addiction was destroying my relationships, costing me time and money, was affecting my ministry, and was leaving me guilt-ridden and ashamed. I was living a double life.
When that first meeting started, I was surprised by the genuine love and care that the people had for each other and me. When they started going around the tables and introducing themselves and why they were there, I was blown away by the honesty of the people sharing, and the acceptance of the group. But when it was my time to share, I gave my name and very sheepishly said, “I’m just he-ere to see if thi-is is the ri-right place for m-me.” God totally spoke to me through this meeting, and at the next meeting I shared that I was there because of my porn addiction and immediately I began to start getting free.
It’s about four years later, and I have spent most of that time being “sober”. I have had relapses, but they’ve only been very brief, never as severe as in the past, and the group has always been there for me to help get back on my feet. I am continuing to learn how to walk in a daily dependence on God instead of on my own strength. My relationships are not perfect, but they are much deeper, I am much more productive, my ministry is being blessed, but most importantly, I now understand that I am free.
The humility, authenticity, and sacrifice of many people from Overcomer’s in Christ allowed me to let Jesus heal me in a way I never imagined possible.
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