Testimonies, CIR Testimonies

A Believer Who Struggles with Depression, Anxiety, Alcoholism, Sexual Addiction and Codependency

Hi, I’m Sharon, a believer who struggles with depression, anxiety, alcoholism, sexual addiction, and codependency. It’s taken half a century, and five marriages and divorces, and a near-fatal car accident but here I am. I’m glad to be here to share my story with you . As Romans 8:38 & 39 proclaims:

...I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I believe this whole-heartedly because I’ve been in some situations I should NOT have survived. I spent years of my life trying to separate myself from God. But God, through Jesus, has walked with me every step.

I grew up in a small country town in New Mexico. We weren’t well off, but we weren’t dirt poor. My father worked hard as a welder to support the family and my mom stayed home with the kids. There were four of us. My older brother and sister were from my mom’s first husband and they were 9 and 11 years older than me. Because they were so much older, I really had no relationship with them. My sister married when I was in 2nd grade. My older brother was out of the house shortly after that and I don’t really have many memories of him growing up. My younger brother and I were from Mom’s second marriage to my dad.

In CIR I Felt Compassion - Even When I was Really Messed Up

I have been sponsored on CIR a few key moments in my life. Sponsored financially (by CIR's scholarship program) that is. In those times of utter despair, then a few years later with a slight man and meth problem, then the true spiritual convictions on my pornography issues, & then there's the really destructive behaviors.

A Testimony: Depression, BPD, Unmanagable Anger, Suicidal Thoughts

I am 47 years old now. One of the greatest difficulties I have found in coping with BPD - in addition to experiencing all emotions in a very intense manner - is my severe anger-control problem. I have also struggled with deep, dark, suicidal depressions - sometimes lasting for many months. Intense, agonizing anxiety has been another symptom of this disorder that has created great pain in my heart, and which has led me to isolate myself for a great part of my adult life due to my phobia of social settings and general anxiety whenever I am not in my "safe zone", which means my apartment.

I Was Saved, But I Had Lost the Joy

Before I joined Christians in Recovery is was becoming very introverted, I was saved but had lost the joy. I had allowed myself to become very self centered, due to many stressful situations in my life.

When I discovered CIR I found so many caring people filled with the love of Christ and just wanting to help anyone who asked. It made me stop and think, that's what it's all about not just recovery but Christianity, helping and encouraging each other, I can see the light of God shining through so many people here.

I am Freed from Being a Lesbian

Some of you, my friends, have asked me, "How did God or what circumstances did He use to free me from being a bi-sexual/lesbian?"

When I first came on the Internet, I didn't really tell anyone right away about my problem of being a lesbian. All my life I had wanted to change this part of me. I couldn't stand being a lesbian, with all those perverted thoughts and images and (yes doing the act with a woman) going on in my head. I knew there had to be a way to be free from it, but didn't know how to be set free. I couldn't talk about it to anyone for fear of being rejected, unloved, and even neglected especially by GOD.

I Always had Those "Feelings" When Growing Up

I grew up in a very small town of about 600 people. My parents are saved and we always had all kinds of missionaries, special speakers from around come and stay with us. Our home was never quiet :) From a very age I heard the Word of GOD preached and we always went to church every time the doors would open. At age 4 I thought that is how I would get into heaven by going to church, being a "good girl" and by doing works. I never really believed or accepted Christ as Savior until much later. Everybody in my hometown knew everybody's else's business.

I Could Not Have Stayed Sober Without CIR

CIR really helped me in my first few days of getting sober. I don't believe I would have been able to stay sober without this site, and these people. When I freaked out, went into depression, people were there, explaining to me what was going on in my brain and body. There were/are lots of people here with a lot of knowledge about the disease of alcoholism, and they really helped me.

I have been keeping a secret since I was 7, I'm 36 now...

I have been keeping a secret since I was 7, I'm 36 now. No one knows about this secret, except for the one person who was hosting the SSA Chat last night.

I feel as though the Holy Spirit came and held me and then whispered in my ears (and fingers) to share...to go ahead and get it off my quiet little mind.

I feel as though I experienced a miracle here at Christians in Recovery so that is why I want to share this with you... I think if I experienced a miracle in my life that I'm to share it with everyone here at cir.... because God has given me cir in my life to help me grow and heal. It's been a journey these past 3-4 years here.

I Searched to Find a Touch from God

When I was lost and so alone,
my heart felt such despair.
I searched to find a touch from God,
Or just a friend to care.

Yet fear had built a wall of stone
Around my trembling soul,
And kept me from the path of hope
where God could make me whole.

I searched at church to try to find
Acceptance, love and hope,
But there I found folks just like me,
Deep pain with masks to cope.

One day I found in cyberspace
A haven safe and kind,
Where I could be just who I am
And share what's on my mind.

I grew by steps and then by bounds,
God's love became so real.
Becoming free by sharing pain,
My heart began to heal.

So thank you friends at CIR
For daring to reach out.
For caring and for sharing what
The Gospel's all about.

I Am Taking the Steps

At a time in my life when I couldn't see clearly, Christians in Recovery helped me to take the steps I needed to take. I am in counseling right now because of someone from CIR leading me to the place where I received help to find a counselor. I have come really far through the help of CIR and especially through Christ Jesus.

Right now I am taking the steps that I need to take. For the first time in years I went to a church. If I can do that with His help I am positive that I will be able to go back to work in time. It is written I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.

This comes from a woman who used to think she couldn't do anything, and actually she can't but praise Jesus because HE can!!