June 2
Facing the
Truth
"Wine causes you to make fun of others, and beer causes you to start fights. Anyone who is led astray by them is not wise." Proverbs 20:1 (NIrV)
Jayden stared at the half-empty bottle of whiskey on the kitchen counter. It wasn’t even noon yet. His head buzzed lightly from the drink he had poured earlier, but he told himself it was fine. He could stop anytime he wanted. His housemates were overreacting when they voiced their concerns. He was in control—or so he thought.
Over the past few months, Jayden’s drinking had increased from casual to something that felt routine. It started as a way to unwind after long days at work, but now, the mornings felt incomplete without a drink to “take the edge off.” His housemates began noticing the shift.
“Jayden, don’t you think it’s getting a little out of hand?” his roommate, Ethan, asked one evening.
Jayden waved him off. “Relax. It’s not like I’m doing anything crazy. I just enjoy a drink or two, that’s all.”
But it wasn’t just a drink or two. And Jayden knew it.
He tried to ignore the growing evidence of his problem. His performance at work was slipping, and his relationships were strained. The weekend parties he used to enjoy now blurred into a haze of arguments and embarrassment. He overheard his housemates whispering about how worried they were, but instead of listening, he dug his heels in deeper.
One Saturday morning, Jayden found himself nursing a hangover while scrolling through his phone. A photo popped up from the previous night—a blurry image of him shouting at a friend, his face flushed and angry. He barely remembered what had set him off, but the shame hit him like a wave.
For the first time, Jayden let himself wonder: Am I really in control?
Later that day, he sat alone in his room, staring at the unopened bottle on his nightstand. He felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and confusion. It was then he remembered something his grandmother used to say: “When you feel like you can’t carry the weight anymore, give it to God. He can handle it.”
Jayden closed his eyes, his heart heavy with regret. “God,” he whispered, his voice trembling, “I don’t know what to do. I keep telling myself I’m fine, but I’m not. Please help me. I need You to take this from me because I can’t do it on my own.”
The next day, Jayden took a bold step. He sat down with his housemates and admitted he needed help. They listened with compassion, offering their support and encouragement. With their help, he found a local support group and began attending meetings.
As the weeks went by, Jayden started to see the impact of his choices. Proverbs 20:1 echoed in his mind: “Anyone who is led astray by [wine and beer] is not wise.” He realized how alcohol had taken hold of his life, leading him astray from the person he wanted to be.
Through prayer, accountability, and leaning on God’s strength, Jayden began to rebuild. He found joy in sober moments and clarity in his relationships. While the road wasn’t easy, he knew he wasn’t walking it alone.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for being a God who meets us in our brokenness.
Like Jayden, we sometimes try to handle things on our own, denying the truth and pushing away those who care about us.
But You remind us that true strength comes from surrendering to You.
Help us to face our struggles with honesty and humility, trusting that You will guide us toward healing and freedom.
Give us the courage to seek help and the wisdom to make choices that honor You.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
