“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” – Mark 8:35, ESV

Over a 10 year period, God has transformed me into an upright and God-fearing man. He has walked with me as He asked me to surrender certain habits, beliefs, and desires that pulled me from His path. In the beginning, this involved reflecting on the nature of the music I listened to and movies I watched. When a movie or song did not agree with God’s truth, I learned to give it up.  This led to a regular practice of prayer and discernment over many aspects of my life and what it means to be obedient to God. 

A few years into my journey with Christ, I participated in a program called Radical Mentoring. It is a men’s mentorship program that involves a 10-12 month commitment to read books, write personal reflections, memorize scripture, and focus each month on a task related to the subject matter. We hit on things like prayer and grace, but then also tackled issues like vulnerability and sexual integrity. It was the most transformational year of my life. I learned so much about what God requires of us as Christians and how much dependence He calls into as a part of a deeper relationship with him. 

After this year-long program, I truly thought that I had things figured out.

Well, soon after the program my drinking habits came into full focus, but this was not something I was as willing to give up. I turned so much over to God that I felt like I was entitled to one vice. I prayed for God to ask me to give up something else, anything else. The answer that kept coming back was the alcohol. It was the one big thing standing in my way of entering into a closer relationship with Him.

Was I willing to give it up? Was I strong enough to live without it?

This back and forth conversation with Him went on for close to 3 years. I finally realized how bad my drinking habit had become when my wife made a comment to me about my daily drinking ritual. I realized that it wasn’t just a vice anymore, it was a dependence. The reality was I was using alcohol as an escape from the stress, frustration, and anger. Instead of turning to Him for comfort, I turned to alcohol. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I had surrounded myself with other well-meaning people, many of which were Christians, who also shared the same vice. Everyone does it, so I don’t need to feel any guilt about the place it has in my life. What a bold lie!

Satan is so crafty in this area because he uses substances like alcohol to enter our lives and take the place of where God wants to be. I was faced with the choice between what I wanted and what was better for me when my Pastor Steve asked me to co-lead the next Radical Mentoring group. 

I responded, “Steve, I drink and I don’t know if you’re okay with someone like me leading in this capacity.” This was the first real step toward admitting that I had a problem. Steve’s response was exactly what I needed to hear.

He said “I can’t answer that question. That’s something you need to answer for yourself.” 

For the next two weeks, my thoughts were consumed with whether or not I should stop drinking. I lost a lot of sleep over it and spent quite a bit of time in prayer.

Early one Saturday morning at about 4:00 AM, I couldn’t sleep. My mind was racing and I knew that I had to make a choice. I wanted to surrender but didn’t trust Him to give me the strength. I had this overwhelming feeling that someone else was praying for me, I picked up my phone and texted Steve to ask “Are you praying for me?” Within 2 seconds he responded back saying, “Yes, I am.” That text was all the confirmation I needed. I fell on my face and wept before the Lord. I confessed my sin and laid the burden I have been carrying for years down at the foot of the cross. It was both the best and worst day of my life. I was so raw and broken over the sin in my life, but also completely encouraged about what the future could hold by removing alcohol from my life.

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.” – 1 Peter 4:1-2

It has been nearly six years now since giving up alcohol. My relationship with the Lord has deepened in ways I never thought possible. He has taken the brokenness in my life and turned it into his victory. If you are struggling with addiction, then let me encourage you. He is stronger than any grip Satan has on your life. The victory is His already because of the price He paid on the cross. There are many other brothers and sisters in Christ who have faced the same challenges. You are not alone!

Let me encourage you to take the first step toward freedom. Admit today that you have a problem and are powerless against it without the Lord. He will strengthen you and build you back up stronger than ever once you shed the weight of your sin. You are loved beyond measure. Step into it today and experience His grace and forgiveness.

In the comments below, share how Christ has made you new! Has the Lord helped you overcome an addiction? 

Tom is married to his lovely wife, Meghan (RW RevWild Coordinator.) They have two kids Caden(13) and Madison (11). Tom and Meghan completed Instructor Training in Platoon 15.  He has hiked and shepherded the Revelation Wellness Grand Canyon hike called Rim to Him. His day job is in risk management and insurance which is fairly ironic because he likes doing risky things like surfing, skydiving, and obstacle races. God has blessed him abundantly in life and a lot of who he is can now be attributed to getting healthy through his journey with Christ and Revelation Wellness.

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Tammy’s Metabolic Strength – “Mercy & Reconciliation”

This total body metabolic workout will count you down as you work through the set minutes of time. May time be on your side! (ADVANCED) (ISAIAH 43:18-19; BALL, HAND WEIGHTS, YOGA MAT & RESISTANCE BAND)