"This is a true saying, and everyone should believe it: Christ Jesus came
into the world to save sinners - and I was the worst of them all. But that is why God had mercy on me, so that Christ Jesus
could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too,
can believe in him and receive eternal life. Glory and honor to God forever and ever. He is the eternal King, the unseen one
who never dies; he alone is God. Amen." 1 Timothy 1:15-17
My Testimony
My name is Nicole Delaney, and I'm Chris Delaney's wife. I want to share a little
about myself and my marriage to Chris.
My parents divorced when I was ten years old, and I was sexually abused
for a period of time after that. I was confused about what "love" was, and my view of sex was distorted. I did not
fully understand or believe that my sexuality was a gift from God that was to be respected, guarded, and reserved for my husband.
Before I met and married Chris, I had gone through my own process of pain, healing, and restoration. The Lord changed me,
not overnight, but over time He revealed more of His character and drew me close to Him.
The changes God brought
about in my life were only possible after I came to the end of myself and my ways and hit what people call “rock bottom.”
After I saw God as my only hope and truly surrendered to Him, the Lord gently began to deal with the issues in my life that
were hindering me from experiencing the freedom He had to offer.
Little by little, and mostly one at
a time, He helped me to face and become free from several strongholds that had developed in my life: depression, codependent
and sexual relationships, cigarette smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, and masturbation. I was in a lot of emotional pain and
looking for love in all the wrong places. It was my relationship with the Lord Jesus that brought me out of the darkness and
into the light of God’s love, forgiveness, and restoration.
I had to end or drift away from friendships
that weren’t nurturing and encouraging. I joined a church and sought like-minded godly friends and counsel. The Lord
also taught me to tithe and trust in Him for my finances and provisions. He brought me to a place of confidence where I could
move out of my mom’s house and into my own apartment. He even orchestrated the perfect apartment at the perfect time.
It was a process of cleaning out my life – removing the destructive behaviors and thoughts and replacing
them with healthy habits and God’s Word. I learned to actively trust Father God during times when I was fearful or lonely.
With each issue I gave to the Lord, He showed me His unfailing love, commitment to me, and His care
about every little detail and hidden thought in my life. I experienced His faithfulness, and so my faith in Him grew.
By the time Chris and I began dating, I had seen God’s amazing power to change me. So, it wasn’t hard
to believe it when I saw the phenomenal changes He had worked out in Chris' life. I might have had a hard time believing it
if I hadn’t experienced it for myself. I knew that the changes He had produced in Chris' life did not happen overnight,
that it was an ongoing process and a struggle at times. However, when the Lord has true victory in someone’s life, it
is a lasting freedom like no other.
The Lord had also revealed to me the kind of man that I needed
to look for in a husband. It didn’t take long to see God’s handiwork in front of me (Chris). He possessed all
the qualities I was looking for in a godly husband.
God continues the work He started in both of our
lives. Through our marriage, the Lord uncovers new issues for us to deal with. With each issue, the Lord gently deals with
us in the same way He did when we were single. I praise Him for everything good in my life. At the top of the list are my
husband and children.
If you wish to contact me regarding my testimony or have any other comments or questions,
please fill out the following confidential contact form. Thank you!
