Look Alive, Sis! 7 Days to Awaken Your Sober MindSýnishorn

What Do You Really Want?

It had been a very stressful morning. Entering the grocery store, I opened up my shopping list on my phone and the first thing I saw when I stopped inside was an attractive wine display. Thinking how nice it would be to have a glass while I’m cooking that evening, I decided to pick up a bottle for later. Then my hubs and I would share the rest over dinner. Nothing wrong with that on the outside.

Honestly, there was more going on inside. This is an area of my life where I’ve struggled because I was super mindful by day and then “checking out” with mindless sipping at night. I felt divided inside. The reality was that I had competing desires: I wanted to drink. I didn’t want to drink. And when you’re caught between those competing desires, you are more than likely going to choose the drink! It’s just the way our brains are designed, the pathways we’ve built over time—plus savvy marketing!— and the nature of alcohol. It’s not that you or I are “broken” or extremely flawed or weak, but when we’re conflicted like that, our brains are doing what they’ve been trained to do. It’s a pattern that needs rewiring.

When I came to this insight, it felt so liberating. If the rare topic of drinking was ever brought up in church, I’d been taught that it was solely an issue of the heart. But what I’ve learned is that it’s actually a brain-wiring issue. As a Christian neuroscientist, Dr. Caroline Leaf has given me a holistic perspective. Dr. Leaf says, “Thoughts are located in three different places: in your brain, in your mind, and in the cells of your body.”

We don’t have to live at the whim of our desires. God can change them as we partner with Him. Romans 12:2 says we’re changed “by the renewing of our minds.” And when our minds change, our desires change. I’ve experienced it firsthand, and you can too. So, you may just decide you want to cut back on your drinking and have less of it. Or you may decide you don’t feel like you need it or even want it anymore. Either way, lasting change happens from the inside out—starting with your mind.

This is where legalism and the law lose their power. I believe we are created to be “addicted” to God and worship Him. Remember desire + reward = pattern. This is not about rules or performance or whether you have that glass or two of wine! In fact, our brain is an incredible God-given tool. Alcohol itself has no power, it’s just neutral.

Our brain and the power of God living inside of us has always been the most powerful thing. I don't feel like I'm fighting with myself anymore and that is freedom.

Begin this journey by being honest with yourself and ask the Lord to show you what you really desire and what He desires for you.