Reclaim your Life!

I've been drinking for a long time. Not habitually, but the occasional one or two beers or a glass of wine to take the edge off. Granted, there have been times in the past when I would drink to get drunk - mostly when I was alone. It has never been an addiction, but I know that alcohol itself is a weakness of mine and always knew that if I let it get to a certain point, it could become an addiction.

Over the last two days, I did more drinking than usual. Not because I was sad or even out of the presence of God, but because I simply felt like drinking. Wednesday night, I bought a six-pack of Miller Lite. Had three of them that night, then finished them off Thursday during the day. Thursday night, I bought a bottle of wine, had two glasses, then finished the bottle the next day.

Last night, I bought another bottle of wine. However, I didn't finish it. In fact, I only had half a glass, then poured out the rest of the bottle this morning. I'm getting ready to take part in a Prayer Ministry in November, so I know the enemy is coming against me big time. He knows my weaknesses and is exploiting them. I poured out the rest of the wine because I could sense it becoming an addiction and realized what the enemy was trying to do.

Part of it could have been stress. I've been out of work for a year in January. I NEED a job! We cannot keep living on $250/wk - not with a wife and two kids. My wife is in school, so I keep up the house and watch the girls, but I feel like I'm not really contributing. I'm not providing for my family financially.

I'm enrolling in Cape Fear Community College in their CDL program. I went in to MEDAC for a physical/drug test Thursday. My blood pressure was at the maximum allowable level. I think it was 120/88 or something over 88. Normally, my blood pressure is something over 70.

Anyhow, I'm planning to find a job on Tuesday. The whole point of this is I consider it a small victory having poured out the rest of the wine. Although I'm not sure whether I'll stop drinking altogether or still have the occasional drink for relaxation and de-stressing purposes, I don't know. What I do know is that I'm going to lay off it until at least after the Prayer Ministry. Prayer would probably be a better relaxation alternative than drinking. . .if I can get away from the home front chaos.

I think a key point here is that if you feel you "need" it to "take the edge off", you probably shouldn't partake...

If you are sitting down to a romantic dinner with your wife & enjoy a glass with her because it's "nice" or whatever, then go for it...

Alcohol should never be a "need" - that's when you need to worry about addiction. I think if you are recognizing that you are haivng more than you ought to, but have the self control to dump it, addiction is not what you're experiencing.

I will caution you about saying such things... only in that what we say often comes to pass, whether it's true or not - our words are powerful - both negatively & positively. Declare your victories - declare that you are not dependant on substances to make you feel better - declare that God is sufficient for such things - (whether you feel it at the moment or not)...

I would encourage you to fast from anything you think the enemy might use as you approach your prayer ministry... go in with as clean a slate as possible - as many small victories over sin/temptation/pride/etc. as possible.

Take your thoughts captive - every second of every minute of every hour of every day - and know you have people who are praying for you & care that you make it through this season VICTORIOUS.

I would also add that when you look for other similar things to replace the thing you are trying to give up, that should be a warning sign.

One time my mother tried to give up drinking and ended up with another addiction instead. So be careful about what you are substituting with, my suggestion is that when these thoughts come, stop and pray and then find a good constructive way to deal with them.

One positive way to unwind after a really stressful day might be going for a walk or run. Another might be sitting down with your Bible outside and praying and spending time with God. Perhaps going out and taking pictures for an hour or so, just to clear your head. There are lots of ways to unwind that don't involve alcohol, nicotene, or other similar substances. Pray about it, and develop a game plan for when the temptations arise. This can apply to other areas and struggles in life as well.

Stay the course, God will get you through this. Update when you have time.

I understand what you're saying and I do agree that running or studying the Bible are better ways to unwind. However, the drinking isn't an addiction. In fact, it's only once or twice a week - sometimes once or twice every two weeks. Sometimes a man just enjoys a beer or two. It's almost like part of being a guy. It's not an addiction or that we necessarily NEED a beer, but it sure is nice once in a while provided it doesn't cross over into drunkeness.

Like I said though, exercise or studying the Bible are overall better ways to unwind, but that doesn't necessarily make having a beer an evil or unproductive thing. I don't see any reason why it can't be alternated or even done in conjunction.

Interesting.

I had a few beers last week. All at home, all three times, I had only one. All three times I struggled with temptation in my thoughts and had a hard time tuning in while praying.

I decided today to only drink (in moderation) when I'm with other people (who are drinking in moderation).

I was running, and asked God about it, and I felt like the answer was that there was simply no reason to drink alone. If I'm having a beer to take the edge off of a rough day, I need to either find a better outlet, or find someone to drink with while we talk it out!

The cool thing is that as if to confirm my decision, my wife brought home a 6-pack of Sam Adams Cherry Wheat, and we split one!