On April 30, 1997, millions of Americans cheered as Ellen DeGeneres acted on feelings and came out of the closet publicly on her sitcom. She decided to accept, enter into and celebrate a lesbian relationship. Her decision was heralded by the media as heroic, groundbreaking, and gutsy.

That same evening, you resisted your feelings, acted on principle, and didn't leave the house. You decided to trust your God, hold on, and in the midst of heart-wrenching loneliness, celebrate your relationship with Jesus Christ. Nobody cheered. No one even cared. It is to you whom we want to address these thoughts:

Not all triumphs get the spotlight and not all victories taste sweet. If you are a Christian who has not yet succumb to feeling and acted out sexually, you are to be commended. We want to tell you this now, in this obscure, somewhat quirky and barely circulated booklet, because you likely will not hear it from another source.

The secular media could care less about your chastity, and non-strugglers cannot begin to grasp the intensity and depth of your battle, nor the intensity and depth of your courage.

Most of us have acted out. We bought the lie and have been regretting it ever since.

But Jesus, in His own perfect time, delivered us into recovery from homosexuality and carried us to the point of healing where we are today. We didn't have the faith that you have. We turned to the world to heal us while you are still focused on the Lord. We figured we couldn't wait any longer for God to act. You are waiting faithfully for your deliverance. You are awesome and you are strong.

Moses, Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, Dr. James Dobson, Paul, Kathy Troccoli, Martin Luther, Chuck Swindol, Charles Stanley, Abraham, Elizabeth Elliot and you. An incomplete, yet proud, list of heroes of the Christian faith.

Your names may be lesser known, your successes too controversial for sharing, and your efforts unappreciated by the majority. But you can be assured that while the masses may overlook your hard-won victory, the Master has seen. And while the world is cheering Ellen for maintaining a same-sex relationship, you will hear but the lone clapping of two nail-driven hands and a still-small voice whispering Well done My friend. You have believed and maintained your integrity. Very, very, very well done.