Testimony Response  - Brian Albert

 
Hi Van,

You probably don't know me. I have been a member of FIC for the last 6 months and have come a long way towards beating my addiction to p/m. The group has been a great blessing to me. I haven't acted out in about 4 months, longer than I have ever gone before.

Anyway, I wanted to talk about your testimony on the FIC web site. I read it months before I even joined the group and it was a great blessing to me. Thanks for sharing it. It made me realize exactly what was at stake in this struggle and that I had to do whatever I could to get free. Recently, Tony was exhorting everyone to read from the FIC web site, so I went and read all the testimonies over again. This time I was in tears as I read your testimony again. And I'm not a man who cries easily. But this time it really broke my heart - all the pain that you went through because of this and all the loss that you experienced. I think that as I'm recovering, I'm getting my feelings back. They are no longer dulled and medicated by p/m.

My marriage has also been heavily damaged by my behavior. How could I have been so blind not to see it through all those years? We almost split up about four years ago, but thank God, she decided to stay, mostly for the sake of our daughter. I guess that I have the opportunity that you didn't get - to rid myself of this wretched addiction once and for all and to reach out to my wife again to try to win her back. I still get to live with my daughter and be a father to her, play with her, and hug her every day. I will never take such things for granted again.

Perhaps that is one of the reasons I was so emotional reading your testimony. My heart really goes out for you, brother, because you never got the chance I have now. I pray with all my heart that the Lord will do something for you to ease the pain of your loss and to bring something good out of the whole situation. Rom 8:28 says that all things work to the good of those who love God. Oh, Father, why does there have to be so many broken marriages? Why is there so little forgiveness in this world, even when a brother has genuinely repented? Please work in the life of my brother, Van. Bring forth a truly Christlike heart in him. Soften the heart of his ex-wife. One word from You, Lord, can bring forth a reconciliation between these two. If this is your will, please bring it to pass. If not, lead Van down a road in which there will be great blessings for him and new opportunities to love. Let this work for his good and for Your glory. Amen.

Thanks again for sharing your story. It has helped me a lot.

Your brother in Christ,
Brian Albert