Testimony: Freedom from Confusion, Mind-binding, Guilt and Shame

I was at a very low point in my life when I came to Above & Beyond. My boyfriend of over three years had broken the bond of trust in the most intimate way, again.

When I was younger, I watched my father have an affair with another woman—an affair that led to a child being conceived. 

With this information in mind, and with a habitually lying boyfriend, my trust in others was officially broken. Feelings of betrayal were an understatement. I felt my kindness and ability to forgive were taken advantage of.

I felt my feelings no longer really mattered in the relationship. Mentally and emotionally drained, being in a state where I had no close family or friends, I began to search the internet for something, someone. I wasn’t really sure what I was looking for at first, but I knew I needed to find someone to talk to.

I typed in a Google search of “Christian Counseling in St. Petersburg, FL.” The results of the search showed, “Above and Beyond Counseling.” I clicked on the link, and searched the website. I absolutely fell in love with what I saw! I typed in my contact information on their website, but for some reason I didn’t think I’d get a response. Low and behold, Phyllis Tarbox responded to my cry for help, and we made an appointment.

The experience I had was life changing. I don’t mean that in a cliché way either. I learned things about me that I never thought were there. My boyfriend at the time had a history of physical and emotional abuse. His father cheated constantly on his mother, physically and emotionally abused her, and had children outside of the marriage. Satan knew my weak points, and he found the right man to put in my life in order to undermine my faith and self-worth.

I learned how to break the strongholds in my life, and was truly delivered from them! Although, as we all know, life has its ups and downs. I am still struggling with some issues, but I know my self-worth. I know I am not a doormat. I know I am a child of God, and do not deserve what I received. I renewed my covenant with God to save myself, sexually, for the man I will marry. Although, my ex-boyfriend is now in a 22 week abuse-intervention program, I still know that leaving the situation was the best decision for me at the time. I don’t know what God has in store for me, but I am so excited to see the outcome!