I was born into a life marked by dysfunction, raised by parents who struggled with hidden addictions of their own. At the time, they didn’t understand how deeply that environment would shape me. I didn’t realize that what I was exposed to would quietly plant seeds that would later grow into struggles of my own.
Very early in my teenage years, I became aware that I was battling a sex addiction. It pulled me into a secret world of pornography and everything that comes with it, shame, guilt, secrecy, and spiritual bondage. I felt trapped in patterns I didn’t fully understand and didn’t know how to escape.
At 17 years old, I gave my life to Christ. I knew God was real. I knew He was calling me. I even sensed a call into ministry. But while I loved God and desired to serve Him, this addiction felt stronger than my obedience. I lived in a painful tension, being used by God on the outside while feeling broken and defeated on the inside. I often felt like a hypocrite. I never felt fully satisfied, never truly free, and I carried the heavy weight of feeling like I was a constant disappointment to God.
As I grew older, I got married and had children. But instead of leaving my brokenness behind, I unknowingly brought it into my marriage. The secret struggles I never dealt with began to surface in ways that caused deep wounds, severe brokenness, and tremendous pain for my wife. The consequences of my choices didn’t stop with her, they spilled over into our children and impacted the entire atmosphere of our home.
In the middle of her own pain, she chose to pray for me instead of turning away from me.
I reached a very low place. A place of guilt, shame, and realization of how much damage had been done. My wife’s heart was deeply hurt, yet what amazed me was that her heart toward God remained tender. In the middle of her own pain, she chose to pray for me instead of turning away from me. She stood in the gap for my restoration when I didn’t even know how to pray for myself.
Through her prayers, the grace of God, wise counsel, and the love of my family, God began a deep healing work in me. It wasn’t instant, and it wasn’t easy. It required true repentance, accountability, humility, and complete surrender. God had to break me before He could rebuild me. He had to deal with the root issues in my heart, not just the behaviors on the surface.
Slowly, God began restoring what I had nearly destroyed. He restored my heart. He restored my marriage. He restored trust in our home. He restored the relationship with my children. What once looked beyond repair became a testimony of God’s mercy and redemption.
“He restored my heart. He restored my marriage. He restored trust in our home. He restored the relationship with my children.”
Today, I don’t walk in perfection, but I walk in humility. I walk in submission. I walk in daily dependence on God’s grace. I understand now what it truly means to be free, not because I am strong, but because God is faithful. My heart is tender, submitted, and grateful for a grace I did not deserve.
This is my testimony: that no one is too far gone, no addiction too strong, no marriage too broken, and no heart too damaged for God to restore. What sin tried to destroy, God redeemed. What shame tried to bury, God brought into the light. And what the enemy meant for destruction, God has turned into purpose for His glory.
The moment
- FrameCanon EOS R50
- Lens50mm F1.8 STM
- Aperturef / 1.8
- Shutter Speed1/250 sec
- ISOVariable
Today, Risheem and his wife, Jewels, lead Restore Coaching Group, where they help individuals and couples heal from personal and relationship trauma.
Drawing on their international certification in coaching, knowledge in behavioral health, psychology, sociology, and ministerial background, they provide personalized guidance to help clients overcome life’s challenges, strengthen relationships, and move toward lasting healing and fulfillment.
Learn more about their work at Restore Coaching Group here.