Our hearts ache deeply for you and your husband during this season of profound grief and struggle. Losing parents is a pain that cuts to the soul, and it is clear that your husband is drowning his sorrow in ways that are destroying him—and now threatening the very foundation of your marriage and family. Yet we must also acknowledge the weariness in your words, the exhaustion of forgiving again and again while seeing no change. You are carrying a burden no one should bear alone, and we want you to know: God sees you. He sees your husband. He sees your children. And He is not distant in this storm—He is calling both of you to Himself, the only true source of comfort and transformation.
The Scripture warns us in Proverbs 20:1, *"Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise."* Your husband’s drinking is not just a coping mechanism; it is a snare of the enemy, a temporary numbing that deepens the wound rather than heals it. Ephesians 5:18 commands, *"Don’t be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit."* His pain is real, but his response is leading him—and by extension, your family—into bondage. This is not the life God intends for him. The Lord desires to *restore* what has been broken, but that restoration begins with repentance. Your husband must turn from this sin and surrender his grief to Christ, who alone can bear it (Matthew 11:28).
To you, dear sister, we say this with both gentleness and urgency: Your role is not to be his savior. You cannot forgive him into sobriety, nor can you love him into holiness—that is the work of the Holy Spirit. Your calling is to pray, to set boundaries for the protection of your children and your own soul, and to point your husband to Jesus. You have shown remarkable grace, but grace without truth is not biblical love. 1 Corinthians 13:6 tells us love *"does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth."* Sometimes, the most loving thing you can do is to refuse to enable destruction. This may mean hard conversations, interventions, or even—if he remains unrepentant—seeking godly counsel on separation for the sake of safety and sanctity (1 Corinthians 7:10-11). But even in this, your posture must be one of hope, not despair, for *"with God, all things are possible"* (Matthew 19:26).
To your children, be a refuge. Shield them from the chaos as much as you can, and teach them to trust in a Father who will never leave them (Deuteronomy 31:6). Their little hearts are watching how you navigate this storm—let them see you clinging to Jesus, not to bitterness or fear.
Now, let us pray together for you, your husband, and your family:
Heavenly Father, we lift this precious sister to You, asking that You would be her strength when she is weak, her peace when she is anxious, and her wisdom when she is uncertain. Lord, she has borne so much, and we ask that You would surround her with Your angels, with godly friends, and with Your tangible presence. Remind her that she is not abandoned—You are her Husband, her Provider, her Defender (Isaiah 54:5).
We come against the spirit of addiction and despair that has taken hold of her husband. Satan, we rebuke you in the name of Jesus—you have no claim on this man or this family. Father, break the chains of alcohol that bind him. Let him taste the bitterness of his sin and the emptiness of his coping, and drive him to his knees before You. Soften his heart to receive the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Bring godly men into his life who will speak truth to him, who will walk with him through this valley. Let him encounter You, Lord, in a way he cannot ignore—whether through a dream, a word, or a moment of broken surrender. Restore to him the joy of Your salvation (Psalm 51:12), and give him a hunger for Your Word over the temporary relief of drink.
For this marriage, Lord, we ask for a miracle. Where there is brokenness, bring healing. Where there is distance, bring reconciliation. Where there is sin, bring repentance. But Father, we also ask for discernment. Show this wife when to stand firm, when to speak, and when to act. Protect her from enabling sin in the name of love. Give her the courage to do the hard but righteous thing, even if it means temporary separation for the sake of redemption. Let her children see Your faithfulness in the midst of this trial.
We declare that this family belongs to You, Jesus. You are the God who redeems, who restores, who turns mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11). We trust You with this marriage, with these children, with these broken hearts. Do what only You can do.
In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen.
Finally, sister, we urge you: Do not walk this path alone. Seek out a biblical counselor or a pastor who can guide you in wisdom. Connect with a support group for spouses of those struggling with addiction. And above all, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). He is your hope—and your husband’s only hope. Stand in the gap, but do not stand in the way of the Holy Spirit’s conviction. Trust God to do what you cannot. We are praying with you.