"What can I do? She says she can never trust me again!" the big blond man sobbed. Tears splashed his wife's cheeks as she agreed.

"I can't. I just can't trust him," she echoed

Drugs and alcohol had altered his judgement over recent years, and he had become involved with another woman. The deception was discovered, and he was struggling to save his marriage. A friend suggested that he come to a Free Methodist church, and he was there as a last resort.

"Well, Tom", answered their new church friend, "you're in a serious predicament. I don't know how she could trust you either. You've been a real disappoinment to her. It looks like your only hope is to become a new man."

Hope flickered in his blue eyes, "could I really do that?"

Tom and his wife could be your neighbors, or even you. Their world had been cold, sometimes difficult place to live. They sensed inner emptiness and inadequacy, so they used artifical means to fill the void. It was a crutch, an escape.

Some people try to fill their inner emptiness with drugs or alcohol, others with sexual activity, workaholism, out-of-control eating, shopping, and other compulsive behaviors. These "painkillers" don't solve the problems; they add more by damaging bodies, minds and often, the lives of their loved ones.

God wants us to be free, not enslaved. God wants us to trust Him, not artifical escapes. Satan's goal is to steal life and health, and he deceives by saying, "this won't really hurt anyone. Anyway, you can't help yourself." Then, after you've messed everything up, Satan lies again, "You can never change."

Can bondage be broken? Yes, but only if you really want the chains removed. It means choosing to turn your life completely over to Christ. If you've never entered into a personal relationship with Christ, this is your first step. If you already know Christ, you must renew your commitment.

The next step is to make an arrangement with a pastor, counselor or trusted Christian friend in your church to whom you regularly report your progress. If you can, join a support group to give and receive encouragement from others who have shared similar struggles. Meet your special friend at least once a week for several months. Call you friend for extra encouragement and prayer. Don't worry about being a burden -- the Bible tells us that part of our responsibility and joy in the Christian family is to help carry each other's burdens ( Galatians 6:2)

Then daily practice this plan for V-I-C-T-O-R-Y:

V-iew your sin through God's eyes (1 John 1:9). Confess you're a sinner. Make no excuses. Get right to the point.

I-solate yourself from temptations as much as possible (Romans 12:14). Clean your house and work environment of everything that tempts. Stay away from places where it's easiest to yield. The pressures will come, but Christ can help you change your lifestyle (especially your leisure time) to lessen them. Be wise.

C-hallenge your temptations with God's word (1 Peter 5:8-9). The Bible calls itself the Sword of the Spirit. Memorize passages like Phillipians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 6:12, Ephesians 5:18. When you feel temptation coming, quickly run these scriptures through your mind. There is power in the Word, and you will sense relief.

T-rain your mind in new directions (Joshua 1:8). Take 10 minutes every morning and evening to read the Bible. Go over verses you've memorized. In faith, see yourself successfully living what you have read. Rehearse in your mind the new patterns of obedience you're forming. This will be a key factor in your success.

O-perate from faith, not fear (I John 4:4-5). Let God help you see yourself as a winner, not a loser. Believe God's opinion of you! You are an overcomer! Realize that you can overcome anything through a partnership with God. Thank God for the victory He's giving you, one hour at a time.

R-efuse to think of yourself as before. Daily affirm: "I am free in Christ. I am no longer under Satan's control. I can live in a way that is consistent with who and what I am.

Y-ield to the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1:11b). Pray daily, "dear God, live Your life through me today. I trust You to show your power and purpose in my life."

You will experience freedom one day at a time as you depend on the Lord. This is the beginning of a life free from Satan's bondage. This freedom gives liberty to share the power of Christ's message with those still struggling where you've been.

Tom and his wife? They took the plunge. They've been working at it, and God has blessed them. They have a new, fulfilled marriage, a new son and places of leadership in their church family. In one year they've brought four other enslaved people to new freedom and hope.

Now it's up to you!