My heart aches this morning learning that a friend of mine is going through a similar trial to mine. Each time I learn of someone I care about having to face this battle my heart breaks a little more. It is amazing the difference in "Empathy" and "Sympathy". When I first found out about my husbands pornography "problem" (before there were any well know resources or education on what this "problem" really was) I remember feeling completely alone, like I was the only wife I could possibly know of who had a husband with this problem. I didn't think there was even a possibility that ANY of my friends or family could be dealing with this same trial. I felt alone, betrayed, broken, and worthless. I felt like I wasn't pretty, attractive, in shape, etc... enough to have a husband who was honest and faithful to me. I tried to plant my self firmly in my faith and in many ways I did, but I didn't realize the shame and hurt I stuffed deep down inside me. I was very young and knew NOTHING about addiction, nor did I even know my husband had an addiction.  As the years have gone on and I have learned the magnitude of pornography/sexual addiction I have come to discover just how many of my family and friends are fighting this same battle. You would think this knowledge would give me peace, discovering that I wasn't alone in this has certainly helped me to cope, but each time I learn of a friend or family member who is fighting this beast my heart sinks and tears fill my eyes. EMPATHY is a beautiful and painful emotion, sympathizing with someone is kind and loving, but to truly empathize you must know that persons pain and you hurt for them in away to others can't understand, you hurt because you KNOW, you have been there, and your heart aches for them.