Setting Captives Free Testimonies

New Wine Testimony

Hi! My name is Daniela and my mentor's name is Rene Biel. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her from the bottom of my heart for all her prayers throught this course, for her infinite love and patience and for giving me motivation and inspiration to press on.

I grew up in a broken home. My mother was a born again Christian and she loved and served God all her life. She raised me in fear of the Lord and I found myself on my knees praying even as a little child.

My dad on the other hand was a full-time alcoholic and also suffered from epilespy. He recently passed away due to liver cancer as a result of alcohol addiction. Seeing my dad's struggle and how much pain and suffering his addiction caused to my family I never wanted to drink.

When I turned 18 my mom passed away due to a stroke. I was devastated and words cannot describe both the physical and emotional pain I felt. My life took an unexpected turn when I came to live with my sister and moved to the US. It was during the time I lived with her when I found myself indulging into alcohol. In her house, it was a daily ritual and there was always an occasion for drinking, either you were happy or sad, you needed to have a glass in your hand. My sister believed that alcohol can cure anything.

I happened to meet my husband during that time who was a born again Christian. He took me to the Harvest Crusades and there I gave my life to Jesus Christ and accepted Him as my personal Lord and Savior. I started to attend church more often, but I was not fully comitted to God. I was a ''look warm'' Christian because I was living with one foot in the world and one in the church.

It was not until 2007 when I found myself drinking again ''occasionally'' I thought, but it was only a matter of time until one drink was not enough. I wanted more and more and I could not stop. In 2008 I hit rock bottom. I was an alcoholic. I would drink almost everyday and hated myself for doing so, yet I could not put an end to my addiction. I would go without it for a day, a week maybe but not more than that. I started to believe all of Satan's lies how I cannot be without it, and how I will never find a way out. I also felt, alone, abandoned, desperate, and surrounded by darkness. I thought no one was dealing with this type of struggle so I couldn't open up to anyone about it. My alcohol addiction almost destroyed me and got me close to being suicidal. It also affected my marriage and the relationship with my husband. I hurt him so much.

I re-dedicated my life to Christ, but the chains of my addiction still had the hold of me. I found myself crying out to Jesus Christ and He led me to Setting Captives Free.

Although I stumbled many times during this course, I started to see the dark coulds upon me fade away. I was taking in everything I could, I learned how people dealt with the same struggles as I was. I learned to drink from the ''living water'' and ''cut off'' all sources in my life that would cause me to sin. Jesus has done an amazing work in my heart. He turned my world upside down. I started having a small Bible study group at work. It is a great time for me to bow my head before the Lord and give Him all the praise. I can truly say that the freedom I enjoy so much right now, it is all because to Jesus Christ, my wonderful Savior, the One who died on the cross for me, and shed His Holy and precious blood so that I can be saved. I want to bring Him all the glory because He loved me so much to give me another chance and to take me out of my misery and shame. He restored me and healed me. My husband has also been wonderful, very loving and patient with me. I feel transparent before him again and that's such an eliberating feeling.

If Jesus saved me and gave me a new life through His Holy Spirit He can do the same for anyone else. Not only he breaks down addictions and cleanses our lives of sin, but He also removes all the burdens that torment our souls and He makes us brand new. We only need to have a humbled heart and come before Him just as we are. Like the prodigal son, the Lord is always able to receive us and bring us back home. May His Name be glorified in heaven and on earth. Amen.

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