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It had become my nightly routine. After my family was all settled for the night, I’d curl up on my
comfy sofa with a soft blanket, Lifetime Movie Network, and my favorite bottle of wine or other
alcoholic beverage. I’d pour glass after glass, either until the bottle was empty or the nagging
thoughts in my mind ceased.
During that time in my life, I was stressed and depressed. I was battling internal struggles, my
marriage was rocky, and my mom was near death. I felt overwhelmed by the issues of life, and in my
unstable mind, the headache from a hangover was more appealing than dealing with the headache of
facing my problems.
Alcohol had become my best friend. It was there for me during my lowest moments, always made me
feel better, and provided me the perfect escape from the cares of life. Not only that, but it was
soothing and I was swept away by the numbing effect it offered. When I drank, I didn’t have to feel.
Like a blanket of security, it shielded me from the pain that tormented my heart and mind. I felt free
whenever I was under its influence.
As my pain and troubles grew, so did my love for my liquid friend. I began to indulge in alcohol more
and more, and felt like I actually needed it in order to face life. But I was wrong. I didn’t need it and a
weekend getaway with friends helped me to realize just that.
While celebrating a friend’s birthday, I took it as the perfect opportunity to let my hair down and
take a mental trip away from my jacked up life. That night I consumed so much alcohol that my
friends literally had to carry me to the car. I was totally intoxicated and incoherent…a complete
mess. I’ll spare you all of the gory details, but I was sick – physically and spiritually – for a whole
week after drinking myself into a frenzy that night. And after hearing about the way alcohol’s
influence caused me to act, I was embarrassed and ashamed.
That was two years ago, and the last time I had any dealings with my former liquid friend.
Though the road to recovery is different for everyone, for me it was found through inviting God’s
presence into my life.
Back then, though I professed to be a Christian and attended church regularly, the Lord’s presence
was missing from my life. Not because it wasn’t available to me, but because I was too wrapped up in
my problems and doing me to see the importance of nurturing a genuine relationship with Him. My
life was void of the powerful presence of the Lord, and it left me open to fill that emptiness with the
powerless temporary fulfillment of alcohol. Had I had a real relationship with the Lord, and allowed
His power to help me cope with the things that were going on in my life, I could have saved myself
from drowning in drunkenness. But thanks be to God for never failing to extend His mercy to me in
the midst of my foolishness, and allowing me to experience the life-changing power of His presence.
I thought alcohol helped me to free my mind, when in actuality it was a vice that kept me bound. It
gave me a temporary escape, and blinded my eyes to the true way of escape the Lord had already
provided for me. (1 Corinthians 10:13) I praise God for pulling me out of its strong grip when He did,
and for canceling the enemy’s plan of destruction for me.
I don’t know who this may help, but the answer to escaping the reality of your problems cannot be
found at the bottom of a bottle. The answer can, however, be found at the bottom of the cross…at
Jesus’ feet.
The power of His presence changed me. It freed me. It healed me. It delivered me. It empowered
me.
It can do the same for you.
Allow me to pray for you: Lord, I lift the sister who finds herself trying to drown her problems in
alcohol or some other unhealthy habit, up to You. And I ask that You, by Your power, would help
her to immerse herself in Your presence. When she feels overwhelmed by life, pull her close to Your
bosom and saturate her in Your peace. Erase the guilt and shame, oh God, and remind her of Your
perfect, unconditional love towards her. As she seeks You, give her comfort in knowing that
although she has big problems, You are bigger, and she is an overcomer in Christ. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Enjoyed this article? Tell the writer by leaving a comment here or sending an email to
lcollins@eewmagazine.com.
ABOUT THE WRITER
LaKeisha Rainey-Collins, freelance writer and professional editor, is a wife and mom of three sons.
LaKeisha is the owner & operator of LRC Editing, a Christian writing business specializing in
proofreading, editing, ghostwriting, copywriting, and transcription services geared towards helping
small business owners, self-published authors, non-profit and ministry leaders, and individuals reach
their writing goals. She shares editing/writing tips on her business blog.
LaKeisha is also an inspirational blogger who enjoys sharing encouraging messages with everyday
women. Check out her blog, Real Woman, Real God.
Visit Lakeisha on Facebook.
comfy sofa with a soft blanket, Lifetime Movie Network, and my favorite bottle of wine or other
alcoholic beverage. I’d pour glass after glass, either until the bottle was empty or the nagging
thoughts in my mind ceased.
During that time in my life, I was stressed and depressed. I was battling internal struggles, my
marriage was rocky, and my mom was near death. I felt overwhelmed by the issues of life, and in my
unstable mind, the headache from a hangover was more appealing than dealing with the headache of
facing my problems.
Alcohol had become my best friend. It was there for me during my lowest moments, always made me
feel better, and provided me the perfect escape from the cares of life. Not only that, but it was
soothing and I was swept away by the numbing effect it offered. When I drank, I didn’t have to feel.
Like a blanket of security, it shielded me from the pain that tormented my heart and mind. I felt free
whenever I was under its influence.
As my pain and troubles grew, so did my love for my liquid friend. I began to indulge in alcohol more
and more, and felt like I actually needed it in order to face life. But I was wrong. I didn’t need it and a
weekend getaway with friends helped me to realize just that.
While celebrating a friend’s birthday, I took it as the perfect opportunity to let my hair down and
take a mental trip away from my jacked up life. That night I consumed so much alcohol that my
friends literally had to carry me to the car. I was totally intoxicated and incoherent…a complete
mess. I’ll spare you all of the gory details, but I was sick – physically and spiritually – for a whole
week after drinking myself into a frenzy that night. And after hearing about the way alcohol’s
influence caused me to act, I was embarrassed and ashamed.
That was two years ago, and the last time I had any dealings with my former liquid friend.
Though the road to recovery is different for everyone, for me it was found through inviting God’s
presence into my life.
Back then, though I professed to be a Christian and attended church regularly, the Lord’s presence
was missing from my life. Not because it wasn’t available to me, but because I was too wrapped up in
my problems and doing me to see the importance of nurturing a genuine relationship with Him. My
life was void of the powerful presence of the Lord, and it left me open to fill that emptiness with the
powerless temporary fulfillment of alcohol. Had I had a real relationship with the Lord, and allowed
His power to help me cope with the things that were going on in my life, I could have saved myself
from drowning in drunkenness. But thanks be to God for never failing to extend His mercy to me in
the midst of my foolishness, and allowing me to experience the life-changing power of His presence.
I thought alcohol helped me to free my mind, when in actuality it was a vice that kept me bound. It
gave me a temporary escape, and blinded my eyes to the true way of escape the Lord had already
provided for me. (1 Corinthians 10:13) I praise God for pulling me out of its strong grip when He did,
and for canceling the enemy’s plan of destruction for me.
I don’t know who this may help, but the answer to escaping the reality of your problems cannot be
found at the bottom of a bottle. The answer can, however, be found at the bottom of the cross…at
Jesus’ feet.
The power of His presence changed me. It freed me. It healed me. It delivered me. It empowered
me.
It can do the same for you.
Allow me to pray for you: Lord, I lift the sister who finds herself trying to drown her problems in
alcohol or some other unhealthy habit, up to You. And I ask that You, by Your power, would help
her to immerse herself in Your presence. When she feels overwhelmed by life, pull her close to Your
bosom and saturate her in Your peace. Erase the guilt and shame, oh God, and remind her of Your
perfect, unconditional love towards her. As she seeks You, give her comfort in knowing that
although she has big problems, You are bigger, and she is an overcomer in Christ. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Enjoyed this article? Tell the writer by leaving a comment here or sending an email to
lcollins@eewmagazine.com.
ABOUT THE WRITER
LaKeisha Rainey-Collins, freelance writer and professional editor, is a wife and mom of three sons.
LaKeisha is the owner & operator of LRC Editing, a Christian writing business specializing in
proofreading, editing, ghostwriting, copywriting, and transcription services geared towards helping
small business owners, self-published authors, non-profit and ministry leaders, and individuals reach
their writing goals. She shares editing/writing tips on her business blog.
LaKeisha is also an inspirational blogger who enjoys sharing encouraging messages with everyday
women. Check out her blog, Real Woman, Real God.
Visit Lakeisha on Facebook.
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