In today’s post we’ll talk about one of the most profound challenges faced by Christian wives of alcoholics: spiritual bondage and torment.
First let’s talk about what spiritual bondage and torment truly mean. These terms often evoke images of the addicted individual, yet they also profoundly affect those around them.
As wives, we can find ourselves entangled in a web of anxiety, fear, and hopelessness, much like the substance itself binds the addict.
Are you experiencing this type of mental suffering? Recognizing it is the first step to change.
One of the ways we can get free from spiritual bondage related to our loved one’s addiction is to actively work on untying ourselves from the addiction itself. But this does not mean untying from our loved one. This distinction is vital.
If this is something you’re navigating right now, I want to give you something gentle to hold onto in the middle of it.
I created a short, faith-based guide called “When You Feel Like You’re Losing Yourself.” It’s for the wife of an alcoholic who has been so focused on him — on his drinking, his moods, his chaos — that she’s lost sight of herself somewhere along the way.
If that sounds familiar, this was written for you.
Get your free guide: “When You Feel Like You’re Losing Yourself”
Total detachment from our loved one can inadvertently lead to coldness and indifference, but untying ourselves from the addiction focuses on freeing ourselves from obsessing over it. This shift can help us escape the emotional prison we may find ourselves in, allowing us to support our loved ones without losing ourselves.
Spiritual bondage often stems from agreeing with lies whispered by the enemy. Thoughts like ‘This will never end’ or ‘God has abandoned you’ can keep us trapped. Instead, we must replace these lies with the truth found in God’s Word. By immersing ourselves in scripture and prayer, we can begin to refute these fears and reclaim our peace.
To truly break free, we must change the behaviors that keep us stuck. It’s about recognizing and altering patterns like obsessing, tracking, and confronting. These actions, driven by desperation, only deepen our bondage. By choosing new paths and consistently working on these changes, we can lift the spirit of torment and find a sense of liberation.
Breaking free from the spirit of bondage and torment is not just possible – it’s essential for our well-being. By untying from addiction, embracing truth, and altering our behaviors, we open the door to healing and hope. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Employing resources that can guide you through breaking free from these things can be a gamechanger in your life.
If this hit close to home, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.
Before you go — I made something that might help you breathe a little easier today. It’s free, it’s short, and it was written for wives in exactly your situation. Get ‘When You Feel Like You’re Losing Yourself’ here.
Or if you’re ready for a little more you can choose your next small step right here, where you can find quick tools and focused resources built for your hardest moments.
When you’re ready for support that helps you actually move differently through this — not just to understand it better, but show up differently inside of it — the Secret Sisters Circle is where that happens. Private, faith-based, and built for women who are ready for something to finally change. You can even try it free for 7 days.
Also, be sure to join me on the Married to Addiction podcast for more conversations around topics like this one.
