The Battle of the Bottle

"I was being punished and prepared by the Lord," I said. I tell others of how God saved me from my reliance on self and my abuse to alcohol.

I was raised in a churchgoing, God fearing home. Church, Sunday School and Youth Group were all a part of my life, but a "me-first" attitude prevailed. The older I became the more I relied on myself. If I was in trouble; I prayed. My prayer was answered and I took the credit for it. While I appeared to be managing my life, I was being led by the spirits from the bottle. Not the Spirit of the Lord. For fifteen years I remained addicted to alcohol. Trying to fight it on my own, I changed jobs, changed physical locations, rationed the amount of alcohol . . . everything I could think of to do. It did not work!

I was miserable and turned to Alcoholics Anonymous. For nine months I was dry - not sober. The want for drink was strong and overpowering. Unable to fight the desire for a drink, I went on a week long drinking binge. Depressed and disgusted with myself, I felt I had gone too far and contemplated suicide. I hit bottom and turned to God. I prayed, asking for help, and I received it! My craving for alcohol was instantly gone.

I began studying the Bible. Once, when I thought I had gone too far, I knew after reading Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God," and Romans 5:8, "But God proves His own love for us by Christ's dying for us when we were still sinners," that I could never go too far from God to reach me. The more I read the Word of God, the more I understood. I repented of my sins and gave my life over to God, accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

Time has gone by since I first became obedient and allowed God to use me. The results: A storehouse full of blessings. A strong marriage, a growing family, answered prayer, and shared testimonies are only a few. Life is not always neat and tidy, and I have not always seen the fruit of my works, but I know that God is in control and that God will bring in the harvest.

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	The Battle of the Bottle "I was being punished and prepared by the Lord," I said. I tell others of how God saved me from my reliance on self and my abuse to alcohol. I was raised in a churchgoing, God fearing home. Church, Sunday School and Youth Group were all a part of my life, but a "me-first" attitude prevailed. The older I became the more I relied on myself. If I was in trouble; I prayed. My prayer was answered and I took the credit for it. While I appeared to be managing my life, I was being led by the spirits from the bottle. Not the Spirit of the Lord. For fifteen years I remained addicted to alcohol. Trying to fight it on my own, I changed jobs, changed physical locations, rationed the amount of alcohol . . . everything I could think of to do. It did not work! I was miserable and turned to Alcoholics Anonymous. For nine months I was dry - not sober. The want for drink was strong and overpowering. Unable to fight the desire for a drink, I went on a week long drinking binge. Depressed and disgusted with myself, I felt I had gone too far and contemplated suicide. I hit bottom and turned to God. I prayed, asking for help, and I received it! My craving for alcohol was instantly gone. I began studying the Bible. Once, when I thought I had gone too far, I knew after reading Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God," and Romans 5:8, "But God proves His own love for us by Christ's dying for us when we were still sinners," that I could never go too far from God to reach me. The more I read the Word of God, the more I understood. I repented of my sins and gave my life over to God, accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Time has gone by since I first became obedient and allowed God to use me. The results: A storehouse full of blessings. A strong marriage, a growing family, answered prayer, and shared testimonies are only a few. Life is not always neat and tidy, and I have not always seen the fruit of my works, but I know that God is in control and that God will bring in the harvest. BACK TO TESTIMONIES <GLORY LAND <HOME