Lesson 19

Lesson 19: Drinking - I consider myself fairly well versed in this topic. Where do I even start? In 2008 before I moved to Houston, I drank alot. Almost every day; it was something I needed to have. My stress relief - to forget about my problems and enjoy myself...because you only live once, right? I'd join my friends for "happy hour" and it'd turn out to be "happy night". For me, drinking had no limits; I didn't believe in moderation...I was an "all or nothing" kind of person and I guess you can say that I still am.

Drinking is not wrong, Jesus did it. But it's the choices that you make while drinking that could lead you down the wrong path.

Drinking became a habit, my routine. After work I needed to have a drink. Sometimes happy hour would turn into a night by myself at my apartment. But many nights it was with friends. I talked a big game...about how I could drink alot and could handle it (which sounds funny to me now). Once even my best friend and I had a tequila shot competition one afternoon - just to see who could drink more.

Here's one of my favorite verses from Isaiah 5:22 "What sorrow for those who are heroes at drinking wine and boast about all the alcohol they can hold." It's like that was written for me!

Once I started a real relationship with God, I found that getting a buzz off Jesus was way better than getting a buzz off alcohol. Drinking costs money, causes weight gain, and gives you a hangover. Jesus on the other hand is free, does not cause weight gain, AND you will never have a hangover...you can get a buzz off Jesus all day long if you want!

My desire for alcohol has changed...for the most part. Quite honestly, I've been thinking about it lately. Mostly, because I am sad. I know that's never the answer to anything. I will give my weakness to God. It's by His power and Spirit, after all, that we succeed.