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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2012 8:55:08 GMT -7
I have so much to write.....so much to say. I'll start with a background, and truly would like some imput, as my situation is much different than others. My husband: At age 13 his oldest brother gave him a porn mag. He was caught thereafter by his father who stated "that will drain your energy and you will never amount to anything"....well my hub has an addictive nature. This was a total shock to me after marriage. He was into illegal drugs, and prescription pills growing up. During a time at a mental hosp. (I think that was where he was) he was saved. We were both working at a Christian rehab....so I didn't know much about his past. My background: Grew up in the country, great work ethic, grew up in the church, and saved at age 8, am conservative. I never knew anything about sex...so when I got married I just thought you learned together as you go. I never understood anything about me being satisfied. SO, much to say here. My hub had health issues, so maintaining was an issue, getting off was an issue, etc. This I thought was normal. Well, behind the scenes he was "spanking the monkey"...again, I never understood this. When we were first married, I would wake up in the middle of the night, and the TV was locked away with him in his study. Clueless! We moved around a lot when first married...so I discovered some mags in a burn barrel, he stated he was getting rid of them...I was like "ok", again, that was my first "discovery"....through disappointments in his ministry, and our lives...he always clung to this....later on, it was revealed to me about the drugs. So I thought, oh it's the drugs...clueless about "sex addiction" or porn addiction...etc. My hub has struggled with the drug addiction throughout our marriage. It has destroyed us at times. Lead up to his health problems....heart surgery.... He has been in and out of rehab, jail, etc. Thee most amazing part of this, my family has NO CLUE about my life or his. So, at some point this took a toll on me. I was in chat rooms (after years of marriage), chatting. I never understood anything sexual, as I was a conservative Christian girl/lady, we had a "typical" marriage. Well, later on the chat room stuff stopped for me. I sometimes would have an occasional fantasy about a co-worker, but nothing great. I went onto a great new job, and it was there, for some stupid reason I thought "here is where I'll meet the guy I'll have an affair with"..dumb right? I was so emotionally hungry, after rejection from my spouse....oh I forgot to mention, after about 8 years of marriage, my hub really started having "issues" with performance. Then after his last rehab stent, his medication made it truly impossible for erection. Thus, I wasn't having sex with him....and masturbation, was something that never interested me, nor did anything for me...seriously. He always thought I was a prude cuz I didn't, but it really wasn't my thing, and I thought my hub was suppose to satisfy me. SO, as of right now, my hub and I are close to 9 years with no sex. So, anyways.....at the point of that new job...I met some guy over the phone, who was from out of state....long story short, he was 20 yrs older than me, experienced, and brought out this sexuality that I've never known...I was also in my "peak" as they say....so he taught me a lot, told me a lot and I could ask him about anything or talk about anything....at home if I said "the M word" it would end up in a huge argument/fight...etc. Avoid that. Anyways...during this time, I had got laid off, so you know what they say about idle hands...yes indeed. I would pay for the plane ticket, hotel, food etc and meet with my "FWB" and yeah, he had fun....but I didn't. I would feel so guilty, and feeling this was so wrong. Another note, MY HUSBAND approved, and told me to have a boyfriend....he said I needed to be satisfied....thus, would wish me a good weekend and off I would go. But sexually I still wasn't satisfied. I never had an orgasim in my life, not now....I believed this was impossible. My fwb told me to get a "toy"..and I was beyond embarassed to do that....but I did. This was the first time I've ever experienced an "o"....I guess I was sorta excited with this at first....but after awhile it too didn't fill the void. Long story short, I finally got tired of the long distance stuff, and spending all my retirement money on this dude. I went on Craigslist, and found someone, local. He and I are still friends to this day. We're both married, and live close by....but only email or text. (When we first met we would make-out)....anyhoo. I'm probably writing too much, and saying too much...but I feel so bad for my past.....I started to get into the whole CL thing, as I liked the attention, the emailing, the friendship...but that too, empty. My husband only knew of the FWB, and never knew I basically paid him to come here, and I treated him like a king. I have been back and forth with the whole CL thing...finally, giving up on it. I did have a Christian friend, who stopped talking to me, as he has changed his life, grown closer to the Lord. I also have one last "Friend" who adores me, and respects me.....and yet I'm struck with guilt yet again......since his son is nearly my age! He's a grandpa.....but he was the first man to actually get me to orgasim....(I haven't had sex in over two years, since my FWB.....never had "real" sex)...SO fast forward til today......I only email these two guys, and it's usual talk NO sex talk, or "dirty flirty"....I went to a new church, and there topic was about sexual addiction, so I feel I'm in a church that isn't being fluffy and not talking about this stuff....I've repented, I've turned from meeting men, being on CL, etc. MY next topic here, is about the whole masturbation issue.....for my hub, he states he isn't horny, nor does he do that. He locks his study when he leaves the house, I've found pics, etc in the trash, then one day he went through the trash, to see if I went through it...he was hurt by me going through it...I don't think I will ever trust him...but for now, I just seek the Lord, pray, and live a sex free life with my husband. Oh, but I do have a toy....so I've been on here, reading about how masturbation is ok if no fantasy, and stuff....I don't have any fantasy when I do it. Sometimes, maybe 2 or 3 times a month, I need to do it....just curious about this..and what is everyone's thought on it? My hub claims he can't get hard, or erection is hard to achieve, also getting off is painful (he also gets testoserone injections due to low levels of test.)....and I hope this whole story makes abit of sense....I've jumped around a lot, and tried to hit on all the topics and thoughts in my head....input please. I'm just curious about what others think....as of now, I feel like I'm back to myself.....just a plain boring life....which is fine. The problem is, I'm unemployed, love to talk, and need people to talk with....I've even tried to tell my hub about the "other men" but someone once told me not to...I know it would make him feel like a "failure" for not meeting my needs....not sure what else to say here, but my hub deals with addiction, depression, pain, etc....health issues (heart, neck and back pain)..so his health is part of it...but what about my needs? Is it ok to use a toy? Again, I would appreciate good biblical imput and advice...thanks for reading!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2012 7:47:28 GMT -7
Hi Brokentrust,
Your story is heart-breaking. God intended marriage to be so much more.
If your husband ever decides to get honest with himself and you, you will need to do the same, though perhaps your own confession and repentance to him would bring out the same from him. If marriage is ever to be whole, there can be no secrets between you.
If you have not yet read Mike's article about masturbation, you might want to look for it in the article archive. While sexual feelings are strong, nothing bad will happen to us if we do not satisfy them. In fact, the more we feed them outside the context of intimacy with our spouse, the more likely they are to become unmanageable.
It sounds like you have discovered from painful experience that two wrongs do not make a right, and I applaud you for seeking a Bible teaching church that will challenge you to draw closer to God. Is your husband attending also?
Perhaps close female friends were not mentioned in your post because you had so many other things on your mind, but if it is because there are not any present in your life, I would pray for and seek opportunities to connect with other believing ladies. No, friendship will not fill the void you are experiencing in your marriage, but being involved with godly friends and perhaps some volunteer opportunities in your church/community will help with the idle hands problem.
Are you prepared to press the point of your husband's secrecy? Will he go to counseling with you, and/or for himself? Is there any emotional intimacy holding the two of you together, or only a fantasy that maybe someday something will change?
TruthSeeker
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2012 9:53:09 GMT -7
I have tried to talk to him....and even said that I have male friends, and he said he was glad I had friends. I cleared it up by telling him, that they are interested in more than "just" friendship....I was thinking that IF I ever told him everything, he would get depressed, and feel like a failure, so I only tell him a little bit at a time, I feel he thinks I'm kidding half the time. Or that maybe he doesn't think anyone would ever be interested in me...not sure. I do know that my view is much more clouded than maybe reality....I deal with a bit of OCD as well. So, I've been busy reading about "intrusive thoughts" and Christians....a whole nother subject. So, he does have health issues, had heart surgery, and one main thing that also affects this...he has short term memory issues....so one day I can tell him about something, then a few days later, he won't remember I told him...could be from the drugs or surgery. So, there are health related factors...not an excuse, but he is very messed up and it sorta seeped in and hit me. I never keep secrets, I have told him at times that I was going out to meet a guy and he is like "have a good time"....weird I know. He isn't jealous. This probably doesn't make much sense....I laugh sometimes at the level of stress I've had to deal with from him...even close male friends that I use to have stated "I don't know how you handle everything you do"...yeah so take him, toss in unemployment and financial woes....I am now learning.... I had to be brought this low, to this point to cling to GOD>....I will never put anything or anyone above God....He is amazing how he brings us back around.....my instrusive thoughts put layers of guilt on myself...so I keep dealing with the fact that I have to keep repenting, asking forgiveness...etc. ...again...another topic there. Yes, my husband does attend......and I appreciate their honesty in regards to "sexual addiction"...and how it does effect so many Christians....I am sure many wives will gain understanding....I am seeking out friends in the church, also I do have many long distance girl friends...also some close by, I minister to my other girlfriends....but everyone is so busy...and my problem, honesty...is not having a job. I was too isolated at my last job as well, too much time online.....now I try to work on projects as I can't afford to drive very far....He locks stuff, as he claims I snoop in his stuff....(my study is an open book)....it grew into an arguement just a few days ago...when he was gone, I went through the trash to prove he lies to me, and I found some porn mag pages....well, I said something later on, which lead him to go through the trash to see if I went throught he trash....I came home and he was mad at me for not trusting him....hello? I was hurt only by the lying...he was hurt that I did that...tells me I keep track of everything he does...men are suppose to have secrets, etc (this is stemming from his parents I guess)....so we have age related and upbringing related issues....I will deal with it however it comes....I have always been open and honest with him...just not so much with the depth of my past ...as in talking to guys...he insults me a lot, so I have to only say a bit at a time. Counciling, not sure he would do that....he has to get honest about his addiction stuff, he is a man of mystery. I am willing if he would be honest...he keeps telling me he is not a sex addict....let's see, in the past....I once pulled out 12 cases of vhs tapes and magazines.....and the last time I saw his "stash" it was mags and the new dvds....I counted like 75 dvds...anyways....I just let him think I believe him....he yells at me, and tells me he wants respect and to be talked to like an adult...very hard to do when I have had to do everything around the house, plus work, bills, etc....very hard.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2012 10:33:08 GMT -7
Hi Brokentrust,
Trust/respect must be earned by trustworthy/respectable behavior. Only you can search your heart to determine whether you might be able to speak to him in a way he might find more respectful, even if actual respect is lacking. Sadly, it doesn't sound like he speaks very respectfully to you.
Please be careful to distinguish between conviction and guilt/condemnation. Conviction is of the Holy Spirit, to remind us when we have not repented. Guilt/condemnation is what Satan uses to make us feel unworthy of God's love/forgiveness, but Romans 8:1 promises that there is no more condemnation in Christ.
Nothing should be locked from one another. He's not hiding Christmas/birthday presents in his office all the time.
TruthSeeker
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2012 10:50:50 GMT -7
Well, he just left...and I ran downstairs to "check" and the door is locked!!! THIS is why I don't trust him...but he tells me he has to lock his study, because I snoop....this is why I guess I just decided to go out and do my own thing...sad but true. Honestly....I know he has porn...I know he is perverted in his thinking etc....and I don't snoop, or look....it makes me sick if I see it. He has a distorted view of sex...he says I should masturbate, should have a toy...etc...really stupid. I have even told him..you lock it when you leave, yet I can sneak in your study when you're sleeping....makes no sense. Other men have told me, there should be NO secrets....and he isn't into online anything...he isn't smart with computers.
Thanks for the comments about conviction and the guilt/condemnation...I have conviction about stuff that I do wrong...then I have the guilt.....so yeah, hard to forgive myself....yet I know it is Satan just trying to get me down...to fall. Struggles with weight, low self-esteem, fears of failure and rejection....that is things I daily ask the Lord to help me over come....thank God for Jesus as my Lord and Savior!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2012 13:36:20 GMT -7
In addition to this.....I try to talk to him...he tells me he doesn't care about what I do. He is concerned about survival. He totally shuts me out, and I just shut down, to avoid the arguement. We have an age difference, thus he tells me I'm immature and act like a little girl. He is old, and wants to survive, and is worried about other things that he thinks I'm not worried about, because I have to be busy being positive, uplifting, and having faith in God, even though my faith is weak when I don't know how to pay the next bill. Thats the short story....I feel beaten down emotionally, and try to avoid arguments. I confronted him in regards to the locked door, and told him I will share my secrets....he thinks I'm kidding. He says he has to lock it, keep me out...just the way it is...this hurts me to the core, but he doesn't care. Some days he will tell me how much he cares, yet the door is locked....weird I know. For now...I just cling to God, and live my life. There is much pain, he doesn't understand, if I try to tell him, he will tell me I'm immature, and mock me for crying. I've learned to just bottle it up....the tears flow freely at times when I'm away from home....or alone. I cry out to God...and am thankful for my salvation. He only cares about watching TV...me on the computer, working and looking for employment. Anyways....this forum is great, because at least I know I'm not alone....He has the issues of age, health, addiction, and he is much like his father was...keeping "secrets" from the spouse. I really feel...he doesn't care, or more like isn't concerned about my emotional well being, or my needs. I have been told the longer I stay in a negative situation the harder it will be to recover from it...not sure. I have a hard time trusting him due to all the lies and crap he has told me in the past...I often pray for this to leave my mind, and try to forgive him when it comes to mind. Also have such a hard time, very hard time respecting him due to the lies and esp due to the fact that he does nothing...no housework, no yardwork, no shopping, cooking, or cleaning...unemployed. He literally lives off of everything I do...I do it ALL.....so add that to the mix.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2012 15:24:36 GMT -7
Hi Brokentrust,
No, you are definitely not alone. I'm sure you have read many of the posts in the Wives forum.
My faith and biblical understanding believes in the value of your commitment, and that God can draw him through your faithfulness, but my human side is thinking that it is time for him to go sponge off of someone else. I'm sure he would care what you do if you choose to stop supporting him. I'm sure there must be some special memories that are still a thin thread of connection, though.
If he were to stop mocking/ignoring your tears, then he would have to look in the mirror and face the fact that he has caused them, and someone who is as self-absorbed as he is does not want to do that. Please be intentional about making time and space to vent your feelings. They only harm you if bottled up.
For what, do you suppose, is he intent on surviving? Does he think his secrets help him survive? Can he not see that they might drive his only provider away? Then how would he survive?
It is important to distinguish between forgiveness and trust. Forgiveness is releasing your anger and bitterness to God, so they do not eat you from the inside out. Trust is believing that someone else has your best interest at heart, and will act accordingly. A lot of trustworthy actions will have to accumulate before you would be able or wise to consider trusting him.
I hope and pray that you are able to find work soon.
TruthSeeker
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2012 23:44:09 GMT -7
Please be careful to distinguish between conviction and guilt/condemnation. Conviction is of the Holy Spirit, to remind us when we have not repented. Guilt/condemnation is what Satan uses to make us feel unworthy of God's love/forgiveness, but Romans 8:1 promises that there is no more condemnation in Christ. TruthSeeker Conviction is specific or? There is a solution to it?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2012 16:48:44 GMT -7
Thanks for the reminder that conviction comes from the Holy Spirit, and guilt/condemnation comes from Satan. The pastor reminded me of this today....he started his message with "there is no guilt, condemnation, and shame"....and went on to share his story of how porn distroyed his life....leading to affairs, his wife leaving, and then through a turn of events....he finally turned his life over to God...and had an accountability partner! That is key men and women.....you need someone to daily ask you questions and check up on you.....The amazing open spirit of sharing such deep wounds...and telling others....within in the church is huge. HUGE!!! There is too much shame and guilt heaped upon us...once you are convicted, repent, seek forgiveness and turn from it....we need to let it go...don't let Satan win..don't let him have a hold of you....
Thank GOD for such freedom in Christ, and Christ alone!
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