Hope For The Alcoholic

Hope for the Alcoholic

We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.

Romans 6:6-7

HOW CAN YOU BE A POSITIVE AGENT for change while living with an alcoholic? Like Barbara, whom we read about yesterday, you may need to say, “I love you too much to let you destroy yourself and me. The next time you come home drunk, I will take the children and move in with my parents.”

This may seem like a very unchristian action. But in reality, it may be the only kind of love an alcoholic can understand. Alcoholics will be motivated to seek help only when they realize they are about to lose something important.

There is hope; deliverance is possible for the alcoholic. Romans 6 and many other passages make clear that as believers, we are no longer enslaved to sin. Christ has set us free from its power! He can transform our lives and break down any remaining areas where sin has its hold on us. Many Christians can give testimony that they were once enslaved to alcohol, but now they are free. For a few it happened instantaneously. For most it happened with the help of a Christian treatment program, the support of caring professionals, and a family that was part of the healing process.

If you are married to an alcoholic, begin by getting help for yourself. Learn how you can be part of the cure. Call your church and ask what local group might help you. Check out treatment programs. Be ready with information when your spouse turns for help.

Heavenly Father, thank you that there is hope for the alcoholic. Whether it is this issue or some other sin that is affecting our marriage, I pray for wisdom, for transformation, and for a willingness to change. Help me to trust that you can break the power of sin in our marriage.

Alcoholism