Three Genuine Reasons for Moms to Stop Drinking Alcohol

Is drinking alcohol an area that God may be calling you to reconsider? Each family will have its own convictions concerning alcohol for various reasons. Where is God calling you? Could He be calling you to stop drinking alcohol?

Ironically our 21st year of marriage was also the year we made the commitment to not drink alcohol.

Although my husband and I hadn’t had more than a handful of drinks over the years, it became increasingly evident that we needed to set this clear boundary for ourselves… and for the benefit of our children.

Here are the three reasons we laid down alcohol:

1) Putting an end to generational strongholds

Alcoholism has been a legacy-curse on both sides of my husband’s family for generations. Growing up he experienced countless traumas as a direct result. When he became a man, however, he drew a clear line in the sand and declared to the devil, “This far and no further! This generational curse ends today! You can’t have me or my kids!”

Over the years, however, we got a little lazy in our protective boundaries. And so, our first reason for abstaining from alcohol altogether (totally and completely) is to reclaim this territory and hold the line against this generational stronghold, as we intentionally start a new legacy-line of blessing and sobriety!

2) Modeling counter-cultural boundaries

Our children are growing up in an era where kids are struggling with addiction from a very young age. Truly, their generation is battling mental illness and addiction, the likes of which we’ve never seen before. From screens (video games, social media, and porn) to drugs (vaping nicotine and THC) their peers and culture are sending the clear message that these things are not dangerous but acceptable, and helpful. That is why it feels significant for us to model a counter-cultural commitment to Just Say No altogether. Modeling boundaries in a culture that lacks boundaries is not easy… but it is good and Biblical!

Jesus Himself invited His disciples years ago, and extends the same invitation to us today, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Of course this is miserably difficult when self-indulgence (not self-denial) is at our fingertips, in our pantry, and affirmed by our culture and media all day, every day.

Remembering that our kids are experiencing the same cultural message that numbing out with screens and substances is OK should be SOBERING — pun intended. As Bible-believing Christ followers we know that we must DENY the use of substances to help us through our days, when the One who made each day is by our side, eager and able to get us through! Modeling this life of self-denial and Christ-acceptance with our kids (and talking it through regularly) is huge.

HUGE!

3) Taking our struggles to God, not substances:

Truly, the most urgent reason we decided to lay down the limited drinking we were doing was that we recognized during these past few years of high-stress, that we were actually craving a drink. Not two drinks — just one — and not every night. Still, the cravings were strong enough and consistent enough that we could not deny them.

We were weary and heavy-laden at the end of many long days… but God’s Word is clear where we are to take those real emotions —  to Him, not to a glass of wine, a beer, or a cocktail. When we struggle with depression and anxiety (and if you have a pulse then you’ve experienced at least a little bit of these two common emotional foes) we have been instructed — not just invited but instructed — to take it all to Him.

Sharing this here is uncomfortable for me, but I have to imagine that my husband and I aren’t the only ones who are 1) looking to end generational cycles, 2) model self-denial for our kids in this self-entitled culture, and 3) practice taking our weary and heavy laden hearts to Jesus… rather than a drink. God can give us strength when we are weak, and He has the ability to heal the areas of our lives that are causing the pain we are trying to self-medicate on our own!

If you’ve been considering laying alcohol down for a season (or maybe for good) I encourage you to prayerfully pinpoint your reasons! If God confirms in your heart and in His Word that you should — then do it without a moment’s hesitation.

Each January I host an online 40-Day Sugar Fast. These past couple of years I’ve been encouraging my fasting friends to throw their alcohol on the altar beside their candy bars and highly sugared lattes! I hope that you will consider joining us this coming January for our 40-day fast — perhaps it will turn into a lifelong commitment to stay sober!

Wendy Speake