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

by Russell Willingham, Bob Davies (Foreword by)

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 commonthe hunt of the malnourished heartwhere to find the courage to face the dark sidewrestling with shame and gracethe 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:	9780830817917
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	01/13/1999
Pages:	213
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.70(d)

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.

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 AddictionWhat All Addicts Have in Common
3. Where We StartEssential One: Aligning Ourselves with God
4. Enlisting the Help of OthersEssential Two: The Power of Genuine Friendship
5. Understanding the MoldEssential Three: Exploring Family Issues
6. The Myth of No-Fault VictimizationEssential Four: Taking Ownership of Our Choices
7. The Divine CaricatureEssential Five: "Will the Real God Please Stand Up?"
8. Reclaiming the Grand VisionEssential Six: The Biblical Basis of Our Identity
9. The Courage to Be BrokenEssential Seven: Admitting Our True State
10. The Unexpected ResponseEssential Eight: Wrestling with Grace
11. The Frightening AgendaEssential Nine: Facing Our Dark Side
12. The Hunt of the Malnourished HeartEssential Ten: Dealing with the Lonely Abuser Within
13. Where Life & Death IntersectEssential Eleven: Bringing God into the Area of Need
14. Boasting in Our WeaknessEssential 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