Freedom Starts Today预览

Sober 24 Hours 

The first night I met Charlie, he asked me a question that changed the rest of my life. This question has shaped the way I help other strugglers and addicts: John, could you stay sober from alcohol for one day with God’s strength?

I told him I needed serious help; I didn’t need one day of sobriety. In the past, I’d been sober for a weekend, a week, and one time even a month. I needed real help, not some stupid 24-hour commitment. But I finally gave in. I committed by God’s strength not to drink for 24 hours. 

I knelt beside the couch I was living on and begged God to help me. I checked in with Charlie the next day, still telling him I needed something more. He persisted and I relented. Another 24 hours. Then seven days in a row. Then a month. Then three months. I was feeling seriously free. And now it’s been 15 years. 

I don’t call Charlie every day anymore, but I still kneel and surrender every single day to the Lord. Something about being in that position of humility and asking Him to lead my day puts things in the right perspective and helps me see that He is a really good Lord of my life (and I am not).

Now it’s your turn; this is your journey.

So I’ll ask you what Charlie asked me on December 27, 2005:

Would you, by God’s strength, commit to not “xyz” for the next 24 hours?

(Yes or No)

This daily dependence on God for freedom is what Christ asks of you: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:33–34).

In a position of humility, pray and ask God to keep you from your struggle for the next 24 hours. Text or call a brother or sister in Christ to let them know you’re committing, by God’s strength, to staying free from your struggle or addiction for the next 24 hours and you’ll follow up with them tomorrow to let them know if you did.

Write a prayer asking God to help you keep from your struggle today and thanking Him for His power and righteousness. Date and sign your prayer.

Text and let that same person know if you stayed free from your struggle by God’s strength for the past 24 hours. Also let them know if you want to go another 24 hours without giving in to your struggle by God’s strength.