A Journey Backward to Move Forward

Life has a way of leaving us with scars—memories of past mistakes, regrets that haunt us, and wounds that seem too deep to heal. For years, I carried the weight of my past like a heavy burden, trying to move forward while desperately avoiding the pain that lay behind me. But the truth is, sometimes we have to go back before we can truly move forward. We have to confront the things we’d rather forget, clear the guilt and shame, and embrace the fullness of God’s love and grace.

My story, like many others, is one of struggle, sin, and ultimately, redemption. I spent years living a double life, caught in the grip of same-sex attraction, deceit, and pornography. I was searching for love and acceptance in all the wrong places, and each time, I found myself more broken and empty than before. My family saw one version of me—the man who had it all together—but behind their backs, I was living a life that was tearing me apart inside.

When I finally surrendered to Jesus on January 13, 2020, everything changed. God began to work in my life in ways I had never imagined, leading me to dive deeper into His Word and spend more time in prayer. He revealed visions and a calling that would eventually lead to the creation of Restored Warriors, a ministry dedicated to helping men find freedom from pornography and sexual addictions.

But even as I walked in this new calling, there was a part of me that was still trapped in the past. The guilt and shame of what I had done, the lies I had lived, and the people I had hurt—it all lingered in the background, like a shadow I couldn’t escape. I knew that if I was going to fully embrace the new life God had for me, I needed to go back and face those things head-on.

The first step in this journey was confronting the reality of my past. It wasn’t easy. I had spent so long trying to bury those memories, to pretend they didn’t exist, but I knew that if I was ever going to be free, I needed to bring them into the light.

I began by acknowledging the pain I had caused—not just to myself, but to others. The lies I had told, the deceitful life I had lived, the relationships I had damaged—all of it needed to be addressed. I spent time in prayer, asking God to help me see these things through His eyes, to understand the full weight of my actions, and to bring healing to those broken places.

There were moments when the guilt and shame felt overwhelming, when I wondered if I could ever be free from the weight of my past. But each time, God met me with His incredible grace. He reminded me that His love was greater than my sin, that His forgiveness was more powerful than my guilt, and that in Him, I could find true freedom.

Clearing the guilt and shame wasn’t a one-time event; it was a process. I had to learn to forgive myself, to let go of the mistakes I had made, and to trust that God had truly washed them away. 1 John 1:9 became a lifeline for me during this time: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

I began to see that holding onto guilt and shame was like holding onto chains that God had already broken. It was as if I was choosing to remain in a prison that no longer had any walls. Slowly but surely, I learned to release those chains, to accept the forgiveness that God was offering me, and to walk in the freedom that came with it.

There were days when the enemy would try to remind me of my past, to drag me back into the darkness I had left behind. But each time, I would remind myself of who I was in Christ. I was no longer defined by my past; I was defined by God’s love and grace. The more I embraced this truth, the more the guilt and shame lost their power over me.

As I cleared the guilt and shame from my life, I began to walk in the fullness of God’s love in a way I had never experienced before. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and I could finally breathe again. I was no longer looking over my shoulder, afraid that my past would catch up with me. Instead, I was walking forward, eyes fixed on Jesus, fully embracing the new life He had given me.

God’s love became the foundation of everything I did. It was His love that had saved me, His love that had forgiven me, and His love that was now leading me forward. I learned to rest in that love, to let it fill every corner of my heart, and to allow it to guide me in everything I did.

In March of 2022, God showed me that it was time to take Restored Warriors in a new direction. He revealed that the focus needed to shift from solely addressing addictions to emphasizing discipleship. This led to the development of “The Restored Warriors,” a six-month discipleship program designed to help men grow deeper in their faith and walk closely with Jesus. And this was just the beginning. God showed me that there were to be a total of four six-month programs, each building upon the last, to guide men through a comprehensive journey of transformation and spiritual growth.

As I look back on my journey, I see how God has used every part of it—the good, the bad, and the painful—to bring me to where I am today. I had to go back and confront my past in order to move forward, to clear the guilt and shame in order to walk in the fullness of God’s love. And now as I walk in the fullness of God’s love, I see the incredible ways He continues to work in my life and in the lives of those around me. The journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth every step.

God took my brokenness, my sin, and my past, and He used it to create something beautiful. Restored Warriors is more than just a ministry; it’s a testimony to God’s grace, His love, and His power to transform lives.

As I lead men through these discipleship programs, I see firsthand how God is using my story to encourage and guide others on their own paths to freedom. The shift to a discipleship-focused ministry has opened up new opportunities for deeper spiritual growth, not just for those struggling with addiction, but for all men seeking to walk more closely with Christ.

The first six-month program, “The Restored Warriors,” is designed to lay the foundation, helping men build their lives on the solid rock of Jesus. As we move through the programs, each phase deepens their understanding and relationship with God, equipping them to live out their faith in powerful and meaningful ways.

Looking forward, I am filled with anticipation for what God has in store. He has shown me that there are to be a total of four six-month programs, each one designed to lead men through a comprehensive journey of transformation. These programs will not only help men overcome their struggles but also empower them to become leaders, mentors, and disciples of Christ, ready to make a lasting impact in the world.

My journey backward—confronting my past, clearing the guilt and shame—was necessary for me to move forward into the fullness of God’s plan for my life. And now, as I walk in His love, I am committed to helping others do the same.

The story of Restored Warriors is far from over. It is a living testament to God’s redeeming power and His desire to bring healing, restoration, and freedom to all who seek Him. I am humbled and honored to be a part of this incredible work, and I am excited to see how God will continue to use this ministry to transform lives and bring glory to His name.

All teachings are prayerfully written by Daniel Glasco, utilizing available resources to faithfully present biblical truth and discipleship encouragement.