By Holly Wilson

As I prepare for this Fourth of July celebration, I'm reflecting on what true freedom really means. While our nation celebrates independence with cookouts and fireworks, I'm reminded of a different kind of freedom—not just the precious liberty we enjoy as Americans, but a more personal kind of independence. As you may know, nearly five years ago, I embarked on a transformative journey to freedom from alcohol. Today, I'm 11 days into another liberation mission: breaking free from sugar through the Whole30 program.

You might wonder why I'm talking about sugar on a platform dedicated to helping women embrace an alcohol-free lifestyle through faith and science. Here's why: the parallels between these two journeys are striking, and the lessons I'm learning about freedom from sugar mirror the exact challenges many women face when seeking freedom from alcohol.

As I navigate this new path, God has revealed three powerful truths that apply whether you're struggling with alcohol, sugar, or any other substance that's creating distance between you and your Creator.

Beyond Willpower: God's Path to Freedom from Alcohol

Oh, how I tried to white-knuckle my way through moderating both alcohol and sugar! But here's the truth: willpower is like a muscle that eventually fatigues. Neuroscience shows us that decision fatigue is real—and it impacts us more than we realize. Did you know that the average adult makes about 35,000 decisions every single day? From what to wear to how to respond to emails to whether to have that glass of wine with dinner, our conscious mind is constantly processing choices.

By the end of the day, our brain is exhausted from this endless decision-making. That's when something fascinating happens: our subconscious mind takes over. This part of our brain operates on autopilot, following the neural pathways we've created through repeated behaviors—in other words, our habits. If we've trained our brain that wine is the answer to stress, or that sugar provides comfort after a hard day, these neural pathways light up automatically when we're tired or overwhelmed.

This explains why so many Christian women find that coping without alcohol becomes increasingly challenging as the day progresses. Or in my current Whole30 journey, why that box of cookies in the pantry becomes nearly impossible to resist after a demanding day. Your willpower muscle has simply run out of strength, and your brain defaults to its learned patterns.

But there's a deeper spiritual truth at play here. John 15:5 tells us, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." This week, as I studied Dr. Charles Stanley's "Pathways to His Presence," I was reminded that trying to achieve victory through our own strength is like trying to drive a car without gas—it simply won't work.

True freedom comes not from gritting our teeth harder, but from surrendering our struggle to God and allowing His strength to work through us. When we combine this spiritual truth with our understanding of how the brain works, we can begin to create new neural pathways—ones that lead us to turn to God instead of substances when we're stressed, tired, or overwhelmed.

Breaking Free from Alcohol: Confronting False Beliefs

"I need wine to unwind after work."
"I deserve this slice of cake after the day I've had."

Sound familiar? I've believed both of these lies at different times in my life. Whether it's alcohol or sugar, we often build elaborate belief systems around our coping mechanisms. We convince ourselves that these substances offer comfort, relief, or reward.

The desire to escape pain or discomfort is deeply human. God designed our bodies and brains with natural protection mechanisms—we instinctively pull away from a hot stove or run from danger. But somewhere along the way, we've extended this natural response to emotional pain, seeking quick fixes for our spiritual and emotional struggles.

The problem is, these worldly coping mechanisms create a devastating cycle. Take alcohol, for instance. We drink to numb the stress of a difficult day, but wake up with anxiety and shame, leading to more stress—and often, more drinking. Or we turn to sugar for comfort after an emotional confrontation, only to crash both physically and emotionally an hour later, feeling worse than before.

I see this pattern clearly now in my Whole30 journey. Just as I once believed wine was the answer to a stressful day, I replaced that false belief with another—that sugary treats could provide the comfort I sought. In both cases, I was trying to find in substances what can only be found in my Savior.

Here's the painful truth: every time we choose a substance over God for comfort, we drive a wedge between ourselves and the very source of true peace. Isaiah 26:3 promises, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Not those who have the perfect wine collection, or the most sophisticated palate for fine desserts—but those who trust in Him.

When we recognize these beliefs for what they are—lies that keep us from experiencing God's perfect peace—we can begin to dismantle them and replace them with truth. Any belief that places something other than God at the center of our comfort is a false idol, and freedom begins when we acknowledge this reality.

While traditional recovery programs can be helpful, many women are seeking Christian alternatives to AA that align with their faith and values. They want an approach that addresses both the spiritual and practical aspects of breaking free from alcohol.

Breaking Free from Social Pressure to Drink

"Just have one drink!"
"It's a special occasion – eat the cake!"

The first part of Romans 12:2 warns us, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world." Yet until you step away from alcohol or another substance, you don't realize just how deeply these messages are woven into the fabric of our society.

Let me share a personal observation: When I first stopped drinking, I was stunned by how alcohol-centric our entertainment had become. Take some of my favorite shows – Suits, where major plot points unfold over scotch; Outlander, where every celebration and tragedy is marked with wine or whiskey; or White Collar, a show about a brilliant FBI consultant, where wine is portrayed as the sophisticated choice for unwinding and celebrating victories.

It's not just television. While more people are choosing an alcohol-free lifestyle, social media bombards us with "wine mom" culture and messages that we "deserve" a drink. Marketing tells us that every milestone, from surviving Monday to celebrating Friday, requires alcohol. Now in my Whole30 journey, I'm seeing the same patterns with sugar—every occasion needs a sweet treat, every accomplishment deserves a reward, every hard day requires comfort food.

The world's messages are relentless, and they come from those closest to us too. Well-meaning friends insist "one glass won't hurt" or "you're no fun without a drink." Family members push back when you decline dessert at gatherings. These voices can be particularly loud when you're just starting your journey to freedom.

The social pressure to drink can feel overwhelming, especially in professional and social circles where alcohol is central to every gathering. But here's what I've learned in my five years of sober living as a Christian woman: with time and a deepening relationship with God, these external voices lose their power. When you experience the genuine comfort that comes from alignment with God's will, the world's attempts to pull you back become nothing more than background noise.

This is where the full message of Romans 12:2 becomes vital: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation happens when we consistently choose God's truth over the world's lies. When we replace society's messages with Scripture, when we seek His presence instead of temporary escapes, we find a freedom that no substance could ever provide.

Today, I can watch those shows, scroll through social media, or attend social events without being triggered by the constant presence of alcohol. Not because I'm stronger or have more willpower, but because God has transformed my mind to see these substances for what they truly are—poor substitutes for His perfect peace.

Begin Your Journey to Christian Freedom

Are you questioning your own relationship with alcohol? I invite you to take my confidential two-minute quiz. I'll send you personalized resources to help you take the first step toward freedom. If this message resonates with someone you know, please share it—it might be exactly what they need to begin their own journey to freedom.

Ready to discover how an alcohol-free lifestyle can transform your relationship with God? Whether you're looking for Christian alternatives to AA or simply seeking new ways of coping without alcohol, I'm here to help. Schedule a confidential Freedom Discovery Call with me. Together, we'll explore how combining biblical truth with neuroscience can help you break free from alcohol and experience the peace, joy, and purpose God has planned for you.

Remember, whatever substance you're struggling with, God hasn't called you to white-knuckle your way through life. He's called you to freedom—real, lasting, grace-filled freedom that can only be found in Him.