Most of us aren't looking for another drink—we're looking for relief. Relief from the shame, the striving, the pressure, and the exhaustion of holding everything together. If you've been trying to stop drinking, break free from emotional numbing, or find real rest in Jesus, this conversation with author, speaker, and Pray Every Day host Mary DeMuth explores why surrender isn't losing control—it's where healing finally begins.

Christy and Mary discuss surrender, shame, control, emotional numbing, alcohol, and why God always pursues the root before He changes the behavior. Together they unpack why numbing—whether through alcohol, scrolling, binge-watching, overworking, or endless striving—never gives the peace we're searching for, and how daily surrender opens the door to lasting healing, freedom, and genuine rest.

If you've ever thought...

• "Why do I keep reaching for numbing instead of real rest?"

• "I want to stop drinking, but I'm scared of what will come up if I do."

• "I can't let go of the shame and regret from my past."

• "Why does surrender to God feel so difficult?"

• "Will I ever find peace without alcohol?"

Babe, this episode is for you. 🩷

Whether alcohol has become your coping mechanism or you're simply tired of carrying the weight of shame, control, and emotional exhaustion, this conversation offers a hopeful invitation into the kind of surrender that doesn't leave you empty—it leads you into the freedom, healing, and rest Jesus has been offering all along.

What You'll Learn

• Why emotional numbing never produces the rest your soul is searching for.

• The difference between numbing and true soul renewal through Christ.

• Why surrender is a daily practice—not a one-time decision.

• How control can quietly become its own addiction.

• Why God always heals the root before changing the behavior.

• How shame and regret keep women stuck—and how grace breaks the cycle.

• Why healing often happens in layers, not all at once.

• The role of safe community in lasting freedom from alcohol.

Resources Mentioned

📖 The Freedom of Surrender by Mary DeMuth
https://amzn.to/4sRvZnL

🎨 Download Mary's free Scripture artwork
https://marydemuth.com/surrender

✍️ Learn more about Mary's writer's intensive
https://marydemuth.com/intensive

Love Life Sober

🩷 Join the Love Life Sober Community
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community

📖 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

Find Love Life Sober on Youtube

@LoveLifeSober

Most of us aren't looking for another drink&mdash;we're looking for relief. Relief from the shame, the striving, the pressure, and the exhaustion of holding everything together. If you've been trying to stop drinking, break free from emotional numbing, or find real rest in Jesus, this conversation with author, speaker, and Pray Every Day host Mary DeMuth explores why surrender isn't losing control&mdash;it's where healing finally begins.
Christy and Mary discuss surrender, shame, control, emotional numbing, alcohol, and why God always pursues the root before He changes the behavior. Together they unpack why numbing&mdash;whether through alcohol, scrolling, binge-watching, overworking, or endless striving&mdash;never gives the peace we're searching for, and how daily surrender opens the door to lasting healing, freedom, and genuine rest.
If you've ever thought...
&bull; "Why do I keep reaching for numbing instead of real rest?"
&bull; "I want to stop drinking, but I'm scared of what will come up if I do."
&bull; "I can't let go of the shame and regret from my past."
&bull; "Why does surrender to God feel so difficult?"
&bull; "Will I ever find peace without alcohol?"
Babe, this episode is for you. 🩷
Whether alcohol has become your coping mechanism or you're simply tired of carrying the weight of shame, control, and emotional exhaustion, this conversation offers a hopeful invitation into the kind of surrender that doesn't leave you empty&mdash;it leads you into the freedom, healing, and rest Jesus has been offering all along.
What You'll Learn
&bull; Why emotional numbing never produces the rest your soul is searching for.
&bull; The difference between numbing and true soul renewal through Christ.
&bull; Why surrender is a daily practice&mdash;not a one-time decision.
&bull; How control can quietly become its own addiction.
&bull; Why God always heals the root before changing the behavior.
&bull; How shame and regret keep women stuck&mdash;and how grace breaks the cycle.
&bull; Why healing often happens in layers, not all at once.
&bull; The role of safe community in lasting freedom from alcohol.
Resources Mentioned
📖 The Freedom of Surrender by Mary DeMuth <a href="https://amzn.to/4sRvZnL" data-start="2410" data-end="2433">https://amzn.to/4sRvZnL</a>
🎨 Download Mary's free Scripture artwork <a href="https://marydemuth.com/surrender" data-start="2481" data-end="2513">https://marydemuth.com/surrender</a>
✍️ Learn more about Mary's writer's intensive <a href="https://marydemuth.com/intensive" data-start="2565" data-end="2597">https://marydemuth.com/intensive</a>
Love Life Sober
🩷 Join the Love Life Sober Community <a href="https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community" data-start="2661" data-end="2698">https://lovelifesober.co.uk/community</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-start="2835" data-end="2867">https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book</a>
Follow Love Life Sober on Instagram @lovelifesoberwithchristy
Find Love Life Sober on Youtube
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@LoveLifeSober">@LoveLifeSober</a>

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

Why Surrender Feels So Hard (And How It Changes Everything) | Mary DeMuth

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/a69454de-e685-4fc8-9e09-b49a01250c1e/transcript