I myself am an avid runner. I love being out the door and on the streets before most of you even wake up. On a perfect day, the only people I encounter on my regular running route are the owners of the local donut shop (Ps 37:27.) I can run freely on the road and not worry about dodging cars. It’s therapeutic, but it’s not easy. People always tell me that they could never put in the miles that I do (when I’m on my game.) My normal response is, “Sure you could. You just have to want to do it.” 

When I was around 11 years old I came across a hidden stash of pornography hidden under a relative’s mattress. Almost immediately I began seeking out what I accidentally stumbled upon that day. This soon led to sexually addictive behavior including pornography and compulsive masturbation. Eventually the pornography and masturbation led to numerous multiple anonymous sexual encounters. Finally, after nearly 23 years of living with this secret, at the age of 34 I hit rock bottom.

Trust, a small word in stature yet an expression that is loaded with uncertainties. It is in the midst of trusting that one finds themselves at a place of abandoned vulnerability.

So the question remains; how can you regain the trust that disappeared the moment your husband’s secret life was revealed?

This week I had the privilege of speaking to a brand new telephone client.  She was a young lady of 20 years old.  As I do with new clients, I asked her if she had received any help previously for her sexual addiction.   She mentioned to me that she had received a few months’ worth of coaching assistance.  She proceeded to tell me the name of the organization and then added something like, “But it was really a guy’s organization.  But women struggle with this issue too!  Not just men.  Everything out there seems to be for men”.  Wow.  Sadly, she is more than correct.  However, thankfully that is changing and we have come a long way since I started my journey over 11 years ago. 

Embracing a journey is not always easy but necessary in becoming an overcomer.  Esther, the heroic biblical Old Testament character, is a perfect example of a young lady who wholeheartedly welcomed the uncertainty life had handed her.  Never once does scripture reference that she chose to be taken from her safe and familiar home, yet Esther embraced her journey.