Hello, my name is Simon and I am 32 years old.  This is my testimony.  After many years of struggling with what’s called “rage against the world” and the defenses I had put in place to cope with life, God, through His mercy & grace delivered me from this mental form of slavery.  This mental slavery had plagued me since the teen years of my life.  Growing up in a dysfunctional family setting in what most consider a rough neighborhood, I developed an unhealthy philosophy of life based on wrong perceptions, ideas and thoughts.  Because of this poor foundation I always found myself in trouble with almost everyone everywhere I went.  This led to a string of abusive relationships one after another and life became very unbearable.  I was introduced to cigarettes, next came alcohol and finally I graduated to using cocaine.  This is when my life started spiraling out of control.  I couldn’t hold jobs for long enough to pay my bills because every penny went to support my drug habit.  The final blow that totally took me down was when I wrecked my car in an accident that almost took my life.  I then went home only to find out that I had less than 24 hours to vacate the house for failure to pay rent. At that point I started seeking help to break free from the chains of addiction.  My search started at the psychiatrist’s office to the halls of AA, but no matter where I went, I still came out feeling empty inside.  Nothing seemed to be working and I almost gave up on seeking help at all.  I was desperate and felt hopeless.  A family friend who is also a pastor in my neighborhood saw my plight and he strongly recommended that I sign up for a 90-day Christian based program.  I consented albeit reluctantly with the mind set that I was going to “try it out”. 

It is at the Wings of Life that I made a profound discovery that my problems in life were not just alcohol and drugs, but that I had what Pastor Chris called a “S.I.N. positive” problem.  The sin nature in me was the underlying base from which these other problems developed.  Alcohol and drug abuse happen to be symptoms.  I discovered that the battlefield was in my mind and that I had to start the recovery program by renewing my mind with the Word of God.  God has helped me address the issues that had held me in bondage.  He is still showing me others as I continue to walk with HIM.  In addition to the anointed lessons that have greatly blessed me at the Wings of Life, God had me face up to issues in my life that I have always avoided.  It has given me tools to tackle life’s problems and habits that I had developed.  Generally, I am better in conflict resolution.  I have had time to reflect on myself and understand what makes me tick.  It has helped me to view events past and present in a new perspective, to see those areas of denial in my life and face them head-on. I’m  understanding where and why I was unable to move forward in life due to distorted thinking. God has taught me to combat negative behavior patterns on a daily basis.  One of the fundamental truths I have learned since I have been here is that God has totally forgiven me, and fully accepted me.  He has made me complete in Christ and that He loves me deeply, unconditionally, regardless of my performance or my ability to earn His grace.  Now I have found meaning in life and today I strive to fulfill the purpose with which He created me.  God bless you.