Fasting isn't simply about giving something up. Sometimes, it reveals what we've been reaching for when life gets hard—the alcohol, sugar, scrolling, shopping, or whatever else promises a little relief when we're overwhelmed, anxious, lonely, exhausted, or hurting. When we set that thing down, we're often left face-to-face with the discomfort we were trying to escape.

Wendy Speake, bestselling author of The 40-Day Sugar Fast, The 40-Day Social Media Fast, and The 40-Day Feast, shares why fasting is about more than giving something up. It can redirect our attention and affection toward God and create space for deeper intimacy with Jesus.

Christy and Wendy talk about what happens when the discomfort becomes overwhelming, why lasting transformation isn't about willpower, and how to keep moving forward when you stumble. They unpack why a slip doesn't erase the growth you've already experienced—and why God's grace means you don't have to return to the starting line every time you fall.

Wendy also shares the story behind her newest book, A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving: 30 Days of Rejoicing in God's Goodness, and what it means to praise God without pretending that pain doesn't hurt. 

If You’ve Ever Thought…

“I know I should turn to God, but I just want something to make me feel better right now.”

“If I stop drinking, scrolling, eating, or whatever else I use to cope, what am I supposed to do with the discomfort?”

“I made it several days and then slipped. Does that mean I've failed?”

“Can I be hurting and still trust God?”

The this conversation is for you. 🩷

What You’ll Learn

• Why fasting is about more than simply giving something up

• What our coping mechanisms can reveal about where we turn for comfort

• How fasting can deepen our attention, affection, and intimacy with God

• How to sit with discomfort without immediately trying to escape it

• Why transformation requires more than willpower

• How to respond when you stumble without starting over

• Why God's grace is bigger than our failures

• How to praise God while honestly acknowledging pain

Check Out Wendy’s Books

📖 The 40-Day Sugar Fast
https://amzn.to/4h6qDQB

📖 The 40-Day Social Media Fast
https://amzn.to/3SYhWQ0

📖 The 40-Day Feast
https://amzn.to/4yAhMh6

📖 A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving: 30 Days of Rejoicing in God's Goodness
https://amzn.to/4r6iQGI

Join the October 40-Day Fast

The Love Life Sober 40-Day Alcohol Fast begins October 5th.

https://lovelifesober.co.uk/october-fast

📖 Order Christy's Book:Love Life Sober: A 40-Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

📲 Follow Love Life Sober on Instagram
@lovelifesoberwithchristy

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang out with us!

Disclaimer

The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober Podcast are not healthcare practitioners and do not provide medical, psychological, or professional advice. The content of this podcast and all Love Life Sober communications is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Views and opinions expressed by guests, or in any resources referenced, do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team.

Fasting isn't simply about giving something up. Sometimes, it reveals what we've been reaching for when life gets hard&mdash;the alcohol, sugar, scrolling, shopping, or whatever else promises a little relief when we're overwhelmed, anxious, lonely, exhausted, or hurting. When we set that thing down, we're often left face-to-face with the discomfort we were trying to escape.
Wendy Speake, bestselling author of The 40-Day Sugar Fast, The 40-Day Social Media Fast, and The 40-Day Feast, shares why fasting is about more than giving something up. It can redirect our attention and affection toward God and create space for deeper intimacy with Jesus.
Christy and Wendy talk about what happens when the discomfort becomes overwhelming, why lasting transformation isn't about willpower, and how to keep moving forward when you stumble. They unpack why a slip doesn't erase the growth you've already experienced&mdash;and why God's grace means you don't have to return to the starting line every time you fall.
Wendy also shares the story behind her newest book, A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving: 30 Days of Rejoicing in God's Goodness, and what it means to praise God without pretending that pain doesn't hurt.&nbsp;
If You&rsquo;ve Ever Thought&hellip;
&ldquo;I know I should turn to God, but I just want something to make me feel better right now.&rdquo;
&ldquo;If I stop drinking, scrolling, eating, or whatever else I use to cope, what am I supposed to do with the discomfort?&rdquo;
&ldquo;I made it several days and then slipped. Does that mean I've failed?&rdquo;
&ldquo;Can I be hurting and still trust God?&rdquo;
The this conversation is for you. 🩷
What You&rsquo;ll Learn
&bull; Why fasting is about more than simply giving something up
&bull; What our coping mechanisms can reveal about where we turn for comfort
&bull; How fasting can deepen our attention, affection, and intimacy with God
&bull; How to sit with discomfort without immediately trying to escape it
&bull; Why transformation requires more than willpower
&bull; How to respond when you stumble without starting over
&bull; Why God's grace is bigger than our failures
&bull; How to praise God while honestly acknowledging pain
Check Out Wendy&rsquo;s Books
📖 The 40-Day Sugar Fast <a href="https://amzn.to/4h6qDQB" data-rich-text-autolink="">https://amzn.to/4h6qDQB</a>
📖 The 40-Day Social Media Fast <a href="https://amzn.to/3SYhWQ0" data-rich-text-autolink="">https://amzn.to/3SYhWQ0</a>
📖 The 40-Day Feast <a href="https://amzn.to/4yAhMh6" data-rich-text-autolink="">https://amzn.to/4yAhMh6</a>
📖 A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving: 30 Days of Rejoicing in God's Goodness <a href="https://amzn.to/4r6iQGI" data-rich-text-autolink="">https://amzn.to/4r6iQGI</a>
Join the October 40-Day Fast
The Love Life Sober 40-Day Alcohol Fast begins October 5th.
<a href="https://lovelifesober.co.uk/october-fast" data-rich-text-autolink="">https://lovelifesober.co.uk/october-fast</a>
📖 Order Christy's Book: Love Life Sober: A 40-Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind <a href="https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book" data-rich-text-autolink="">https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book</a>
📲 Follow Love Life Sober on Instagram @lovelifesoberwithchristy
🎥 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@LoveLifeSober">Subscribe on YouTube</a> &mdash; Come hang out with us!
Disclaimer
The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober Podcast are not healthcare practitioners and do not provide medical, psychological, or professional advice. The content of this podcast and all Love Life Sober communications is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Views and opinions expressed by guests, or in any resources referenced, do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team.

Love Life Sober is a Christian podcast for women questioning their relationship with alcohol and sensing God might have more for them beyond the wine glass.

Have you felt that nudge from God to put down the wine glass, but the thought of relaxing, having fun, or even coping with life feels impossible without it? Are you waking up each morning vowing not to drink tonight, only to find that by five p.m., all bets are off?

Love Life Sober is for sober and sober-curious women who love Jesus, or who are longing to reconnect with Him, and who know deep down that alcohol is no longer serving them.

Hosted by Christian sobriety coach and author Christy Osborne, author of Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind, this podcast blends Scripture, neuroscience, and practical coaching to help you understand what’s happening in your brain, your nervous system, and your heart, and how lasting freedom from alcohol is actually possible.

You’ll hear expert conversations and powerful testimonies for women exploring Christian sobriety, faith-based recovery, mindful drinking, and alcohol-free living. Each episode gently invites you to step away from wine and toward deeper connection with God, without shame, pressure, or the need to decide forever.

At the heart of Love Life Sober is a simple truth. Love, joy, peace, and connection were never meant to be found in a wine bottle. They are found in Jesus.

This is a grace-filled, shame-free space for women seeking freedom from alcohol through faith, neuroscience, and compassionate coaching. You don’t have to hit rock bottom. You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through sobriety. And you don’t have to do this alone.

If you’re ready to loosen alcohol’s grip and live the life God is inviting you into, you’re in the right place.
Welcome to Love Life Sober. Want more? Visit lovelifesober.com. 

Love Life Sober is a Christian podcast for women questioning their relationship with alcohol and sensing God might have more for them beyond the wine glass.
Have you felt that nudge from God to put down the wine glass, but the thought of relaxing, having fun, or even coping with life feels impossible without it? Are you waking up each morning vowing not to drink tonight, only to find that by five p.m., all bets are off?
Love Life Sober is for sober and sober-curious women who love Jesus, or who are longing to reconnect with Him, and who know deep down that alcohol is no longer serving them.
Hosted by Christian sobriety coach and author Christy Osborne, author of <a href="https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book">Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind</a>, this podcast blends Scripture, neuroscience, and practical coaching to help you understand what&rsquo;s happening in your brain, your nervous system, and your heart, and how lasting freedom from alcohol is actually possible.
You&rsquo;ll hear expert conversations and powerful testimonies for women exploring Christian sobriety, faith-based recovery, mindful drinking, and alcohol-free living. Each episode gently invites you to step away from wine and toward deeper connection with God, without shame, pressure, or the need to decide forever.
At the heart of Love Life Sober is a simple truth. Love, joy, peace, and connection were never meant to be found in a wine bottle. They are found in Jesus.
This is a grace-filled, shame-free space for women seeking freedom from alcohol through faith, neuroscience, and compassionate coaching. You don&rsquo;t have to hit rock bottom. You don&rsquo;t have to white-knuckle your way through sobriety. And you don&rsquo;t have to do this alone.
If you&rsquo;re ready to loosen alcohol&rsquo;s grip and live the life God is inviting you into, you&rsquo;re in the right place. Welcome to Love Life Sober. Want more? Visit <a href="https://lovelifesober.com/">lovelifesober.com</a>.&nbsp;

Love Life Sober is a Christian podcast for women questioning their relationship with alcohol and sensing God might have more for them beyond the wine glass.  Have you felt that nudge from God to put down the wine glass, but the thought of relaxing, having fun, or even coping with life feels impossible without it? Are you waking up each morning vowing not to drink tonight, only to find that by five p.m., all bets are off?  Love Life Sober is for sober and sober-curious women who love Jesus, or who are longing to reconnect with Him, and who know deep down that alcohol is no longer serving them.

Love Life Sober

Fasting, Numbing & Bringing the Hard Things to God | Wendy Speake

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/e053b5e9-7b05-406d-b523-b4c40106352b/transcript