30 Reasons I Stopped Drinking Alcohol

TESTIMONY: July 8, 2022

Back in January of this year, I decided to stop drinking alcohol cold turkey. I don't think I ever had a "problem" with drinking. I wouldn't even say I was addicted. My idea of drinking was a glass or two of wine at dinner, a cute cocktail at home on a Friday night, or a mimosa at breakfast. It was just part of the dining experience. However, there were a few instances over the years that I cringe at how a night (or day) unfolded and wish I had stopped when I was ahead.

I had told myself that in 2022 I wanted to grow more spiritually. I didn't realize how much the presence of alcohol had held me back. When I eliminated it from my life, things changed. I began to hear God more clearly, I began to understand my Bible better, and I just felt overall happier.

Another reason I wanted to stop drinking was to encourage Logan to drink less. When I told him about my decision to stop completely, he said that was great for me, but he wasn't ready to make that commitment, which was totally understandable. While I went on my journey, he went on his. Through the power of prayer, I've watched God shrink his desire for alcohol a little more each day. While he hasn't totally given up on alcohol, he says he can count on one hand the amount of drinks he's had in the past few months. It's truly remarkable to watch the Lord work. He made a post the other night comparing his face now versus in December. He's dropped nearly 20 pounds without changing his diet or exercise -- it was all alcohol!

During this time, I took on a 30-day challenge by my friend Melissa Gaona to write down each day why I chose to be sober. So, each day, I thought of a reason why I didn't want to drink, and I paired it with a Bible verse. The Bible doesn't outright say, "Thou shall not drink," but I found at least 30 times the Bible references what the effects of alcohol can do.

I want to make it clear that I don't judge anyone who drinks nor will I refuse to be around people who drink. Not the case at all. I simply wanted to share a change I made in my life and be an encouragement to someone who may be debating giving up alcohol:

Why I Choose to Be Sober:

1. To be a good example for those around me who are easily tempted

(Romans 14:21 - "It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.")

2. To protect myself from the Enemy

(1 Peter 5:8 - "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.")

3. To maintain my testimony to others

(1 John 2:6 - "Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.")

4. To be more present and self-aware in the moment

(Titus 2:12 - "Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.")

5. To protect myself from going down a path of sinful behavior

(Proverbs 20:1 - "Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.")

6. To not be like the world, but rather like Christ

(Ephesians 5:18 - "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.")

7. To keep my body healthy and free of poison

(I Corinthians 6:19-20 - "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.")

8. To save money and not waste it on alcohol

(Proverbs 23:20-21 - Do not join those who drink too much wineor gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.")

9. To protect myself from the physical and emotional consequences that will follow from drinking too much

(Proverbs 23:31-34 - Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.")

10. To not get sick and feel sick

(Isaiah 19:14 - "The LORD has poured into them a spirit of dizziness; they make Egypt stagger in all that she does, as a drunkard staggers around in his vomit.")

11. To have eternal life by turning away from and repenting of fleshly sins

(1 Corinthians 6:10 - "Nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.")

12. To exercise my ability to have self-control in fleshly desires

(Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.")

13. To be able to spread the Good News with a sober, clear mind

(2 Timothy 4:5 - "As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.")

14. To be able to pray and talk to God with a clear mind

(1 Peter 4:7 - "The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.")

15. To not waste the day away by sleeping due to overconsumption

(Proverbs 6:9 - "How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?")

16. To not make a fool out of myself or embarrass myself

(Romans 13:13 - "Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.")

17. To be obedient to what the Lord is telling me

(Romans 12:2 - "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.")

18. To not impair any of my senses

(Isaiah 28:7 - "These also reel with wine and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed by wine, they stagger with strong drink, they reel in vision, they stumble in giving judgment.")

19. To set a Godly example for others

(Matthew 5:16 - "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.")

20. To show my children what a sober life looks like

(Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.")

21. To protect myself from getting behind the wheel and hurting myself and others

(Proverbs 14:16 - "One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.")

22. To have a healthy body for our future babies to grow in

(Judges 13:7 - "But he said to me, ‘You will become pregnant and have a son. Now then, drink no wine or other fermented drink and do not eat anything unclean...")

23. To live a life surrendered to God and not to the bondage of sin

(Galatians 5:19-21 - "Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.")

24. To continue to feel closer to God

(James 4:8 - "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.")

25. To show that I no longer choose to live like the world

(1 Peter 4:2-3 - "As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.")

26. To not create a slippery slope that could lead me back to a life disconnected from Christ

(1 Peter 1:13-14 - "Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.")

27. To obey a command from God given early in the Bible for present and future generations

(Leviticus 10:9 - "You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute for the generations to come.")

28. To not waste a good day or be the reason a day is ruined

(Ephesians 5:15-17 - "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.")

29. To not be a slave to any addiction or source of refuge other than Jesus Christ

(James 4:7 - "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.")

30. To be the version of myself that is most pleasing to God

(Galatians 1:10 - "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.")