Secrets by Jonathan Daugherty - Reveiwed

About the Book:

Everyone has a secret or two, a part of their life they would rather not share with the rest of the world.

But for Jonathan Daugherty, his secret was so life-altering and relationship-ending that he fought to keep it hidden at all costs. And it did cost him. His secret kept him from contentment, peace, and the possibility of being known and loved for who he truly is. That's what any secret addiction can do-but in particular a sex addiction.

After his wife finally discovered his secret, their marriage appeared to be over. In Secrets, Jonathan honestly and courageously shares his story of addiction to pornography and how he lost everything to it.

But that's not how the story ends. While Jonathan struggled, someone else was at work-his heavenly Father. At the lowest possible moment of his life, God stepped in and brought him hope and healing. This is a story of both loss and redemption that gives hope to anyone who has ever experienced the power and struggle of addiction and its life-destroying effects.

Addiction doesn't have the final say over Jonathan's life or in his marriage. The God who finds the lost, heals the sick, and brings life from death has the last, victorious word.

-A courageous, honest and open account of life as a sex addict and how sex addiction destroys marriages.
-A life-affirming and personal story of recovery and redemption that will inspire readers.
-Offers hope to all who struggle with pornography and sex addiction.
-Each chapter includes a "Living in the Light" section designed to equip and help readers find freedom from addiction.
-Suitable as a study for support groups of addicts and those who care about them.

My Thoughts:

“But by keeping secrets our lives tend to drift off course.  We hide our flaws and overly accentuate our strengths, believing this will enhance our lives and relationships.”   - Daugherty

This statement, found at the beginning of Jonathan Daugherty’s book, Secrets, encapsulates the darkness that couches sexual addiction.  Secrets ARE deadly, and sexual addiction is one of the deadliest tools in the enemy’s arsenal right now. 

I chose to review this book because sexual addiction ended 20+ years of marriage in my life.  I wanted to read this book and rip it to shreds, because I simply couldn’t believe a man could be healed from this terrible addiction.  So, Secrets proved to be as healing to me as it is certain to be to anyone fighting this particular battle.  It was as if God pulled back the curtain to show me that healing is possible and what the end-result can look like when someone chooses to walk the path toward healing and deliverance.

I will admit there were some passages in this book that were very painful to read.  However, at the end of each chapter, there are questions that, although meant to be considered by the one struggling with addiction, proved to be challenging and enlightening to me as well.  No matter which side of the relationship you fall on, if you have encountered this addiction in any way, there is healing to be found in the pages of this book.

AND, there is a ministry called Be Broken associated with Jonathan Daugherty, and I’ve contacted them as well. They minister to both the men struggling and their wives.  This is the real deal – the total package – this is a place of healing and hope!!  I am grateful to God for this book and Praise God for all of the lives that are going to be forever transformed through the pages of this book!

About the Author:

Jonathan Daugherty is the founder of Be Broken Ministries, and founder of Gateway to Freedom workshop for men. He also hosts the weekly radio broadcast, Pure Sex Radio, and is in demand nationally as a speaker on sexual purity and men s issues. He has appeared on multiple radio and television media, both local and national. He has authored "Grace-Based Recovery," "The 4 Pillars of Purity," and other works. Jonathan lives with his wife and three children in San Antonio, Texas.

Find out more about Jonathan at http://www.jonathandaugherty.com.