Part of the 21‑Day Alcohol Fast Series • Previous Day • Next Day
Transcript & Journal Prompts
Hello and welcome back. Today I want to focus on the true transformation that happens when we turn to God in times of pain, anxiety and struggle.
For three decades of my life, I turned away from God. Even though I knew Him, even though I had experienced His love and grace, I chose alcohol as my comfort instead. When anxiety crept in, when pain felt overwhelming, I reached for a bottle of wine instead of reaching for God. When my heart was heavy, I poured another drink instead of pouring out my heart to God in prayer.
Looking back now, my heart aches thinking about all those years I spent trying to numb my pain with alcohol when God was right there, waiting for me to turn to Him. I can’t change those thirty years, but I share my story because maybe you’re in that place right now. Maybe you’re feeling that same pain, that same anxiety, that same overwhelming urge to numb it all away. I want you to know that there is a better way. God is waiting with open arms to hold your pain and to provide the genuine, lasting peace that alcohol only pretends to offer.
In Philippians 4:6-7, God tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Notice what this verse doesn’t say. It doesn’t say, “Figure it out yourself.” It doesn’t say, “Numb the pain.” It says to bring EVERYTHING to God – most especially your anxiety, your fear, your pain, your doubt.
There’s a beautiful practice in Christianity called lament. It’s a spiritual discipline that God actually invites us to engage in. In fact, one-third of the Psalms are laments – they are honest, raw conversations with God about pain and struggle.
Let’s break down the four steps of lament by looking at Psalm 13, one of the most beautiful examples of lament in Scripture:
- Turn to God (Verse 1)
“How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?”
Notice how David begins by turning to God, not away from Him. He’s not hiding his pain or pretending everything is fine. He’s bringing his raw emotions directly to God.
- Bring Your Complaint (Verse 2)
“How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?“
David clearly states his concerns. He’s specific about his struggles and fears. This isn’t disrespectful – it’s honest communication with a loving Father.
- Ask Boldly for Help (Verses 3-4)
“Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’ and my foes will rejoice when I fall.” Notice how David directly asks God to “Look on me and answer.” He’s not timid in his requests. God invites this kind of bold asking. When you feel the urge to drink, you can boldly ask God for strength, for peace, for whatever you need.
- Choose to Trust (Verses 5-6)
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.”
Even in his pain, David chooses to trust God’s character and remember His faithfulness. This isn’t denial of the pain – it’s choosing to trust despite it.
This isn’t just a spiritual practice – it’s actually aligned with what mental health professionals call “emotional processing.” When we face our feelings instead of numbing them, we actually strengthen our emotional resilience.
When you feel the urge to drink, this is your invitation to practice lament:
- Turn to God first
- Tell Him exactly how you’re feeling
- Ask boldly for what you need
- And choose to trust His goodness
Before we close today, I want to give you a preview of tomorrow’s lesson because it connects beautifully with what we’ve learned about lament. Tomorrow, we’re going to talk about setbacks and how to handle them in a way that honors God. We’ll explore how our setbacks can actually become setups for future success when we view them through God’s eyes and process them through lament rather than shame.
Join me tomorrow as we discover how God can use even our mistakes and missteps to draw us closer to Him. This journey isn’t about perfection – it’s about progress and persistence in pursuing God’s best for your life.
See you tomorrow!
📝 Today’s Journal Prompts:
- What emotions or situations have you been trying to numb with alcohol rather than bringing to God?
- Write your own lament to God today. What do you need to tell Him? What do you need to ask for?
- How might your relationship with God grow stronger if you turned to Him instead of alcohol in moments of pain?
- What fears come up when you think about fully feeling your emotions instead of numbing them?
🙏 Closing prayer:
“Heavenly Father, we come to you today just as we are. Thank you that you invite us to bring our real, raw selves to you. Help us to trust you with our pain instead of turning to false comforts. Give us the courage to feel our feelings and the wisdom to bring them to you. Thank you that you promise never to leave us or forsake us. Help us to believe that your comfort is better than anything this world can offer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
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