The Newman church is where I first met Sebastian. From the start, I found him to be warm, friendly, and respectful – easy to like and love – we got on like a house on fire. It was not long before he revealed to me he was battling with serious issues in his life. He permitted me to see into his life and was open to receiving counsel. Consequently, after some time, Sebastian permitted the Holy Spirit to perform a “breakthrough” miracle in his life–he is now a new man! Sebastian testifies…
 
“Alcohol is a socially acceptable drug that offers its victims a false sense of comfort, security, and forgetfulness. But, in truth, alcohol strips you of everything that is good. Hope and dreams are rendered useless and before you know it, you’re in a battle, fighting for your life. My drinking habit led me to a place of brokenness, both mentally and spiritually. The Psalmist testified, “For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me” (Ps. 51).
 
It was God who showed me my brokenness. Brokenness is the place where God stops us–where He causes us to see the end to which we will come to if we continue along the pathway of ruin and destruction. Brokenness is the place where we recognise within ourselves all that we are, all that we have, and all that we are doing. Without God’s presence and power there is only emptiness and misery. Under the weight of our own sins, we are crushed. God permits this to draw us closer to Himself. It took a long time for me to understand how drinking was hurting those I loved. God opened my eyes and initiated the much-needed change. God’s love and mercy has taken me from being a broken-down family drunk to a forgiven and renewed husband and father.
 
My name is Sebastian and I’m 42 years old. In my early growing up years, alcohol was a big part of my life. Living in a small mining town, everyone in my family and community were into alcohol in a big way. At the age of 16, I had my first experience with alcohol. I remember vowing to never drink again but as I grew older, peer pressure as well as psychological issues drew me back to drinking. My pain and regret brought about memories of what I had said and done that hurt people through my alcohol-fueled behaviour. I remember feeling invincible and being puffed up with pride as I partied around with people who weren’t really friends. I struggled with shame, embarrassment, and depression.
 
My mum and dad divorced when I was 3 months old and neither of them wanted me in their relationship. I later discovered that there was some doubt as to who my biological father was. This aided their divorce. Fortunately, my grandparents took me in and I grew to the age of 10 believing that they were my parents! When my grandfather died the abuse started at home–I was aged 8. My uncles tormented me physically and emotionally. My grandmother was not aware of this. In silence I retreated into a world of loneliness. This set me up as a target for bullying at home, and school. My self-worth was rock-bottom and I stopped trusting people. There was a lot of love to go around in the family, but none was directed at me. I blamed myself for how I was being treated.
 
I remember experiencing peace and security when going to church with my grandparents. I first encountered God when I turned 14 at the Christian school I attended. I felt God pulling at my heart and decided to join the discipleship group. I came to love the Person of God, the Father who loved His children so much that He sent His Son to die for them. Still struggling in my mind, I posed as a “good person” until I left school. 
 
When I turned 19, I met a most amazing woman who saw good in me—we soon fell in love. God blessed us with two sons, but I had no idea how to be a father, and I became fearful of failure. Anxiety and fear poured in as I relived the past. My only option at the time was the bottle. My wife prayed for me and the love she showed helped me to think about God. I wanted to be better for my family but I hid what was happening inside of me. I tried counselling, AAA, and doctors but nothing seemed to break the habit. Instead, I hid my emotions and tried to manage them in my own strength. I prayed and asked God to help me but deep down inside my pain remained. I loved the Lord and my family but I kept running back to drink. I was my own worst enemy!
 
God helped me to forgive those who had hurt me. He also helped me to forgive myself and let go of the past. Confessing my sins to God, and repenting from them, I no longer needed to hide in shame. God has taken the power away from Satan–he no longer has a hold on me (Rom. 6:6-7). All the things I enjoyed as a child are slowly coming back to me and I am able to share them with my wonderful sons. My wife has been a pillar of strength to me. Her prayers are what brought me to meet pastor Bill at the Newman church. Bill helped me to see that I didn’t have to live with pain as Jesus suffered for my sins and now offers me His gift of salvation.
 
I thank God for bringing me to the place of brokenness. God sees everything, and feels our pain. Only Christ can give us the peace and rest we desire. Please act quickly–now is the best time to surrender your life to the Lord. It is my hope that one day the Lord will use me in the same way He used Bill to help me. No one ever believed in me the way he did and I’m eternally grateful the Lord brought him into my life. My relationship with my wife and sons is being renewed! I no longer turn to the bottle when Satan reminds me of my past, instead I turn to Christ, my hope and future (Prov. 3:5-6). Sebastian.”

Bill