Breaking Free: Understanding Sexual Addiction and the Healing Power of Jesus

by Russell Willingham

Overview

Our world is awash in sex. We are bombarded with it everywhere we turn--TV, newspapers and magazines, music, movies and the Internet. When this ever-present temptation mixes with human weaknesses and unmet needs, many get pulled into addiction to sexually sinful behavior. They may detest their own habits, but they can't seem to break free. Is there any hope?Russell Willingham speaks from his own experience and that of the many he has counseled. His answer? "Yes! There is hope. Jesus offers forgiveness and healing."True stories show how the principles in this book can be put into action. The essentials are spelled out in practical steps that can help people begin to break free. Willingham deals with such issues as

• what all addicts have in common
• the hunt of the malnourished heart
• where to find the courage to face the dark side
• wrestling with shame and grace
• the healing effect of radical honesty

This realistic yet hopeful book offers a new way to see the world for every person who wants to understand and break free from sexual addiction.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830868131
Publisher:	IVP
Publication date:	01/13/1999
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	213
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Russell Willingham is executive director of New Creation Ministries, based in Fresno, California. He counsels, leads groups and speaks nationwide on issues related to sexual addiction. He has presented workshops at several annual conferences of Exodus International, at the American Association of Christian Counselors World Conference (2001) and at the AACC Superconference on Sexuality (2002). He is also a participant in AACC's video curriculum on healthy sexuality. He is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God International Fellowship and works under the supervision of Dr. Jonathan Olford, Ph.D. of the Link Care Counseling Center in Fresno, California.

Russell Willingham is executive director of New Creation Ministries, based in Fresno, California. He counsels, leads groups and speaks nationwide on issues related to sexual addiction. He has presented workshops at several annual conferences of Exodus International, at the American Association of Christian Counselors World Conference (2001) and at the AACC Superconference on Sexuality (2002). He is also a participant in AACC's video curriculum on healthy sexuality. He is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God International Fellowship and works under the supervision of Dr. Jonathan Olford, Ph.D. of the Link Care Counseling Center in Fresno, California.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Foreword
Introduction: Lonely to the Core
1. What We Are Dealing With
"How Do I Know If I'm Addicted?"
2. The Dynamics of Sexual Addiction
What All Addicts Have in Common
3. Where We Start
Essential One: Aligning Ourselves with God
4. Enlisting the Help of Others
Essential Two: The Power of Genuine Friendship
5. Understanding the Mold
Essential Three: Exploring Family Issues
6. The Myth of No-Fault Victimization
Essential Four: Taking Ownership of Our Choices
7. The Divine Caricature
Essential Five: "Will the Real God Please Stand Up?"
8. Reclaiming the Grand Vision
Essential Six: The Biblical Basis of Our Identity
9. The Courage to Be Broken
Essential Seven: Admitting Our True State
10. The Unexpected Response
Essential Eight: Wrestling with Grace
11. The Frightening Agenda
Essential Nine: Facing Our Dark Side
12. The Hunt of the Malnourished Heart
Essential Ten: Dealing with the Lonely Abuser Within
13. Where Life Death Intersect
Essential Eleven: Bringing God into the Area of Need
14. Boasting in Our Weakness
Essential Twelve: Radical Honesty Its Evangelizing Effect
Postscript: Working Together
Appendix A: What Is a Wife to Do?
Help for Spouses of the Sexually Broken
Appendix B: The Twelve Essentials
Appendix C: Further Reading
Appendix D: Resources for Additional Help
Notes