Part of the 21‑Day Alcohol Fast Series • Previous Day • Next Day
Transcript & Journal Prompts
Welcome to Day 1 of your 21-day Alcohol Fast. I’m so glad you’re here.
Today, we’re going to explore something fascinating that happens in our brains when we try to change our relationship with alcohol. But before we go too far, I want to speak to anyone doing this fast for something other than alcohol. The science and spiritual answers you seek are the same for any substance you are using or behavior you are doing that you no longer wish to use or do. So, if alcohol isn’t your thing, simply replace my references to alcohol with whatever it is you are taking a break from.
Now, back to our original programming — literally! If you’ve ever felt like you’re in a constant internal battle – part of you wanting to drink less while another part pulls you back to old habits – you’re not alone, and there’s a scientific explanation for this struggle.
Did you know that only about 5% of your daily decisions come from your conscious mind? The rest – a whopping 95% – comes from your subconscious programming. This programming has been shaped over years by messages from our culture, our experiences, and even our understanding of what it means to be a successful professional woman.
Think about it: How many times have you heard or thought phrases like:
- “I deserve this glass of wine after that difficult meeting”
- “I can’t relax without a drink”
- “How else am I supposed to handle all this stress?”
These thoughts aren’t random – they’re deeply programmed beliefs running in your subconscious mind.
This brings us to an important concept called cognitive dissonance. This occurs when we hold two competing beliefs simultaneously. For example, you might believe that alcohol helps you cope with stress while also believing it’s harming your health and relationship with God. Or you might believe you need alcohol to be social while also believing you’re more authentic without it.
This dissonance creates mental tension and discomfort, often leading us to justify our drinking to reduce that discomfort. Understanding and addressing this cognitive dissonance is crucial for creating lasting change in your relationship with alcohol.
This internal conflict reminds me of Paul’s words in Romans 7:15: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate, I do.” Doesn’t that perfectly describe the struggle with alcohol? Your conscious mind knows the benefits of drinking less, while your subconscious keeps running those old programs.
Which brings us to a powerful concept called Liminal Thinking, developed by Dave Gray. ‘Liminal’ means ‘standing on the threshold’ – it’s that space between what was and what could be. This concept beautifully aligns with how God designed our brains and what His Word tells us about transformation.
Here’s how liminal thinking works: We all construct beliefs about reality based on our experiences, but we only see a tiny fraction of what’s actually happening around us. From these limited observations, we make assumptions, make conclusions, and form beliefs. These beliefs then create filters for how we see the world and what we think is possible.
Think about your beliefs about alcohol:
- ‘I need it to relax’
- ‘It’s just what successful women do’
- ‘I can’t be social without it’
- ‘It’s my only way to cope with stress’
These beliefs weren’t formed overnight. They came from experiences, observations, and messages you’ve received throughout your life. But here’s the amazing thing – God designed our brains with the ability to step outside these beliefs. We can stand at the threshold – the liminal space – between our old beliefs and new possibilities.
Liminal thinking isn’t just about changing our thoughts – it’s about being willing to stand in that uncomfortable space between our old ways of thinking and the new beliefs God wants to show us. It’s about being humble enough to admit that maybe what we’ve believed about alcohol isn’t the whole truth, and being brave enough to explore new possibilities with God as our guide.
“Today’s exercise will help you begin this journey of transformation. In your journal, you’ll create two important lists using what we call the “Five Whys” technique. This powerful tool helps uncover the deeper beliefs driving your behavior.
First, you’ll create a list of the reasons why you drink:
- Write down your initial reasons
- For each reason, ask “why?” five times
- Be brutally honest – this is between you and God
- Look for patterns in your answers
Next, you’ll create a list of the reasons why you want to take a break from alcohol:
- List your motivations for change
- Again, for each motivation drill down with five “whys”
- Notice where God’s truth might be pulling you
- Consider how these reasons align with your values
During this exercise, each time you ask “why,” you will go a little deeper, peeling back another layer like peeling an onion. I encourage you to take the time to write down your two lists — Why you drink and Why you want to take a break — in a journal that you can come back to throughout and after this fast. I still look back at my two lists from time-to-time.
Before you begin, say this simple prayer: “Lord, grant me clarity and courage as I examine my thoughts and beliefs. Help me see what You see and align my heart with Your truth.”
I’ll see you tomorrow for Day 2, where we’ll build on these insights and take another step forward in your journey. Until then, may God bless you and give you wisdom as you begin this important work.
📝 Today’s Journal Prompts:
(Allow 15-20 minutes for this exercise. Find a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted. Begin with a few deep breaths to center yourself.)
The Five Whys – Exploring Your Reasons for Drinking
- Write down 2-3 reasons why you drink
- For each reason, ask yourself “why?” five times, going deeper with each response
- Notice what emotions or beliefs surface as you dig deeper
- What patterns do you see in your answers?
The Five Whys – Exploring Your Reasons for Change
- Write down 2-3 reasons why you want to take this break from alcohol
- For each reason, ask yourself “why?” five times
- What core values or spiritual truths emerge in your answers?
- Which of these motivations feels most meaningful to you?
Reflection Questions:
- What surprised you most about your answers?
- Where do you see God’s truth conflicting with your current beliefs about alcohol?
- What beliefs about alcohol do you recognize as coming from society rather than truth?
- How might your relationship with God change if alcohol weren’t standing in the way?
Remember: This is a judgment-free space between you and God. Be honest in your responses, knowing that awareness is the first step toward transformation.Use these prompts to guide your journaling, but feel free to write about whatever surfaces during this exercise. Sometimes our most important insights come from letting our thoughts flow freely onto the page.
🙏 Closing prayer:
“Lord, thank you for bringing me to this moment of truth and self-discovery. Give me the courage to be honest with myself as I dig deeper into my motivations and beliefs. I confess that I’ve often turned to alcohol instead of to You. Help me see where I’ve allowed it to become an idol in my life. Grant me the wisdom to understand my patterns and the strength to face what I discover without shame or judgment. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
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