Psalms 34:4 TPT
Hopefully this testimony will be cut and dry just like my husband’s deliverance.
Nearly ten years ago, when Carlos was in his 18th season of professional baseball, he was set-free from the addiction of alcoholism.
Even before he signed as an amateur free agent in 1991, college life had already opened the door to drinking. First socially then used as an outlet to help him relax, drinking beer seemed like no big deal and was just another part of the game.
It wasn’t long, however, before the repercussions of a former messy divorce, the pressure of performing in the big leagues, the stress of tireless travel and making the transition from “change-up king” to “coach” made way for alcohol to become his source of coping.
It’s not as though life was miserable for Carlos. On the contrary, we were enjoying an awesome adventure. We had a thriving marriage and our family was blissfully expanding.
But when you don’t know you have a Savior who died to be your Source of all freedom, healing and life, you will always try to save yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually.
For Carlos, drinking a six-to-twelve pack of beer just about daily was his way of trying to silence the condemnation of his failures while putting a band-aid on his burdens.
That is until God’s pursuit of his life was becoming more real than anything else he was experiencing. During a time when Jesus was getting his attention and revealing to us His truth, Carlos was yearning for a change on the inside.
Although he didn’t have the words for it, he knew he was in bondage and desperately yearned to be rescued from his dependency on liquid lies.
One night, he had had enough. He knew there was nothing he could do for himself. All his attempts to change himself or break this addiction had failed. He knew there was only One who could do anything. So he walked himself into our home office, fell to his knees and cried out to the Lord!
In my husband’s own words he told me, “They weren’t just words spoken, it was a cry from the depths of my heart!”
The next morning, Carlos woke up completely free. He had zero desire for any beer. It was just gone. And from that day until now, he has not had any craving for alcohol.
Beloved, the manifestations of our breakthroughs don’t always come that quickly. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t. But when you come to Christ and put your trust in Him, they always come.
Charles Spurgeon, “the Prince of Preachers,” once said, “You’re never so near grace as when you begin to feel you can do nothing at all.”
“I can’t Lord, but YOU can!” Those words are music to His ears! The gospel isn’t “try harder and do more.” You can save your silly efforts to save yourself. Willpower and determination work only short term. They only deal with outward behavior. But Jesus transforms the heart from the inside out and brings permanent and eternal freedom and change.
“This is GOD ’s message…‘You can’t force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,’ says GOD -of-the-Angel-Armies.”
Zechariah 4:6 MSG
I pray this testimony gives you hope if you are struggling with an addiction. Do not feel bad about it. Do not accept any more guilt! Condemnation is a killer.
Know that Jesus is not disappointed in you! Not only are you His delight, but it is His great delight to rescue you! On the cross, He not only took your addiction, He took the shame that goes with it. Now, He’s constantly supplying you abundant life on earth as it is in heaven.
If you are a born again believer, even while you are still dealing with your addiction, speak over yourself that you are the righteousness of God in Christ! Be real with your Savior. Pour out your heart to your Father! And trust Him.
If you have never received Jesus into your heart (believing that He bore your sin and took your place on the cross to make you new, giving you new and unhindered life in His Presence), you can now. Simply come as you are into the arms of superabounding grace and unending love. And just say “yes” to the One who has been endlessly pursuing you.
I am praying for anyone reading this testimony now who longs to be set free from any form of enslavement. I release the peace that only a proud Papa can give into your heart and speak over you that your freedom is finished work!
“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”
John 10:10 AMPC
Resting In His Love,
Annalee Reyes