New Wine Testimony: Debbie

My name is Debbie. I have known the Lord for well over 20 years - at times, very intimately. I have to say, those were the best days of my walk with Him. God delivered me once from alcohol abuse back in 1995 - overnight, completely. I was as clean as if I had never touched a drop of alcohol. Like an idiot, after three years of freedom, I went back to it. It started slowly but, within two years, I was completely enslave to the sin of alcohol. This time around, I believed I could quit on my own. The more I tried to quit, the worse I drank. Many mornings I went to work with a hangover and probably still had alcohol in my system. Still, I continued to drink. When I would drink, it was like Russian roulette. Some nights I'd be nice and OK; other nights I would wind up starting an argument with my husband and hurt him deeply. Then the next morning I'd do the "I'm never gonna do that again" routine. I hated what I had become, and I would cry out to God in the middle of the night among the headaches, diarrhea, shakes, night sweats, fear and panic, that God had abandoned me this time for sure! That was a very scary place. In the morning, I would be nauseated and have the shakes but continued to drink. It was a vicious cycle. I could go maybe three days without drinking, and then, bam! I'd make up it. The deciding factor for me was I had my blood work done and my triglycerides had risen 96 points in nine months! Triglycerides elevate when there is an excessive amount of alcohol being abused. A friend of mine told me about Setting Captives Free. I thought about it for awhile, but thought, "I can do this on my own." So, again, I tried it on my own. The last time I drank was March 31st 2007. That night, I started doing things that I would NEVER DO, sober. April 1st 2007, I started the Setting Captives Free New Wine program and have not touched a drop of alcohol in 59 days! During the first three weeks of the program, I was very sick! Turns out, my body actually went through an alcohol detox. I wouldn't wish that on anybody. But now I feel better physically than I have in years. It has not been easy; so if you are here for a quick fix, it ain't gonna happen. It takes hard work and dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ. I know now beyond a shadow of a doubt alcohol is poison to me. It is only by the grace of God that I do not drink. Without God, I cannot win the battle. God has set me free for the last time. I have learned through the course that I can do nothing apart from God. My sin is against Him. When I began to realize how much my sin hurt Jesus, I really began to feel bad. I repented A LOT. I not only repented but turned completely away from alcohol. During the course I have had four MAJOR TEMPTATIONS TO DRINK. One being the suicide death of our next-door neighbor, my husband's best friend. My mentor, Carol Gorski, was instrumental during that time. I could totally feel her prayers. It was so good to have her to share through emails about the struggles I was facing. Together with the Lord, I was able to overcome every obstacle Satan would try to throw at me. I love waking up in the morning. When I was drinking, I hated looking in the mirror because I hated the person there. Now I look in and say "Good morning, Jesus!" God has given me a hope and a future! I'm enjoying my life not drinking and my relationship with the Lord is coming along. I'm hearing His voice again. My prayer life has become stronger and life all around is so much prettier. Thank God for Setting Captives Free, Carol Gorski, my mentor and her prayers and encouragement, Erin, my accountability partner, and the Lord Jesus Christ! God bless all of you!