Just registered. On a journey of recovering from some pretty horrific childhood sexual abuse. Completely fell apart 40 years after the fact. Running - always running... to stay ahead of the pain and well.. it finally caught up to me and and the healing has begun. The tear-down of the old is pretty rough!

I heay ya mike my story is similar. I never acceped the fact that the old has to be settled before I can be really successful with the new, you will find a place here that is free if shameand guys that are accepting of our weakness it is a wonderful place to find healing. try to remember man " you did not choose this,It was not your fault"
heal well

Mike -

Welcome - maybe you can stop running here.

i kept on the move too - 3 times around the world - but couldn't escape.

like you, i had to face it after too many years - over 50 for me.

i have found these forums to be my single most helpful resource.

participate as you can - no pressure. i hope you find this to bea place of support, encouragement and healing.

Lee

Hi Mike,

Welcome to MS.

I am glad you have found this place of healing and support.

Try as we might, regardless of how fast or far we run, we cannot outrun ourselves. The only solution is to turn and face these atrocities head-on.

You find yourself in a unique position. I presume in your position as a pastor that you counsel people as part of your duties. Now you need to be on the receiving end of counseling, preferably with a therapist trained to work with trauma and/ or sexual abuse.

If you have not yet found a therapist, I suggest you use the Consumers Guide to Therapist Shopping. This guide gives you many questions a therapist competent in dealing with trauma / sexual abuse should be willing to answer. While it is not a comprehensive list of questions, it does give you a starting point. The list also helps reduce the anxiety associated with contacting a therapist.

At your own pace, read the boards and wander into chat. The lounge (chat) is open 24 hours a day though it isn't always populated.

We also have moderated chats called Healing Circles. They meet on Sunday and Wednesday evenings at 9pm eastern time and one on Tuesday at 19:00 UTC (European and African time zone). The Tuesday Healing Circle is expected to resume in September.


Again, welcome to MS.




Anomalous

Hi Mike,
welcome to Male survivor.
I hope you'll find way to connect to other survivors and share your burden. You are not alone!
pero

Hi Mike, hope that here you will be in peace. Real sorry what hapend to you.

Jean-Pierre

Welcome Pastor,

I am fairly new to site as well, but what I've found is that the men on this list are understanding and will support you when you need it. You and I are similar in that we are both working to "break down the old", and your right, it's difficult, but I think we'll be healthier men when we reach the "new". Don't hesitate to reach out to the men here. Check out the chat rooms, you can get a lot of good advice there.

Stay Strong my Friend
Stompy

Welcome--you will find support here. Read and post when you feel it is right. Great people here who understand. I hope you seek out a good therapist and support groups have helped me. I have one this evening--with everything going on in my life I find it is helpful to talk and share. Need to talk about things that have happened to me over the weekend. Sad but I know I will survive.

Keep working at it--it does get better but it can be a bumpy ride. Looking forward to hearing about your healing journey.

welcome brother Mike this place is great

HI Pastor Mike

Welcome to MS. It is a great place for people like us. It is the sole source of my healing. I have been here a year and I gotta tell you that I am a different man. The was pain, there was crying and fear, but now there is just peace and tranquillity.
I hope that you find this for yourself, Never give up.

Heal well
Martin