August 24, 2021
Interview with Michelle Porterfield
Is Alcohol an Idol? What about Social Media, Food, or Even Friendships? Are these things zapping our potential in the Lord?
I don’t know about you, but many times in my life I have become way too reliant on this world.
Today I’m talking to the host of the Set Free Sisterhood podcast and alcohol-free coach, Michelle Porterfield. Michelle is a mama of three and wifey in South Carolina. Her mission is to help women learn that they have control of their thoughts and actions.
Together with removing alcohol, she helps women see their value, strength, and true identity while removing the stronghold of alcohol, renewing the mind, and rebuilding a life of fulfillment.
Michelle accepted Jesus at a very young age, but reliance on other things of this world instead of a relationship with God lead her down a path with a steep fork in the road.
What Michelle lovingly calls her ‘bathtub moment’ would be the point that changed her life for good.
Pull up a seat and let’s dig into this amazing conversation from a woman who knows a thing or two about what it means to surrender, build that faith, and use His strength for good!
“Surrender means understanding that He is the most powerful and that I am going to live in His strength instead of my own. So, If I’m living in His strength, then I’m super powerful because I’m aligning with Him. And for me, it’s Surrendered Action. Because that is when He says, “This isn’t for you to just sit back and kick your feet up. It’s time to take action, girl! ”
Can Alcohol Be an Idol? Why Putting God First Matters. 5 Acknowledgements to Clearing the Idols and Finding Strength in the Lord.
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Who do we rely on? Church? Ourselves? God?
This is a big one and at some point, we have all gotten this wrong. I imagine the words, “I just love her!” have exited many of our mouths when remarking upon our obsession with the latest reality TV star. We ‘idolize’ him or her for this amazing they can do or what they wear, their hair or eyelashes. When we take a step back, it can be easy to see how these fixations can be unhealthy in our lives. But what about positive things? What about something like the new church we are attending, leadership or friends? And then there are the things that we know are not healthy, but are they bad? Alcohol, sugar, and so many other addictive things can be part of our lives.
But are these things idols? What makes them something to be aware of and possibly change?
“Anything that takes my loyalty, my thoughts my feelings and it takes more of that from me than God. Because He says, “Do not put anything before me.” ~Michelle Porterfield
You see, it is not the items themselves. It is not the fact that alcohol impairs judgment, or reality so-n-so makes us jealous. It is the fact that anytime anything in this world becomes more important to us than our relationship with God it stands in the way of His perfect will for our lives. He has great plans for us. When we make these things our idols it keeps us from our relationship with Him and all the amazing things He sees for us.
Even church! Our relationship needs to be with Jesus, so no matter what we can rely on Him.
2. What is Surrender?
To me, surrender is beautiful! It is the moment when we realize we can’t do it alone AND we don’t have to. He has us.
Surrender equals strength!
“Surrender means understanding that He is the most powerful and that I am going to live in His strength instead of my own. So If I’m living in His strength then I’m super powerful then because I’m aligning it with Him. And for me, it’s Surrendered Action. Because that is when He says, “This isn’t for you to just sit back and kick your feet up. It’s time to take action girl! “~ Michelle Porterfield
3. Taking Surrendered Action
In our culture we hear ‘surrender’ and we think of giving up. That is the opposite of what happens when we surrender to God. When we surrender our lives to Him, doors open and the surrender becomes the catalyst to open doors to all the good He has in store for our lives through taking the ACTION that He has planned for us. We must open our hearts to hear His plans for us.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
4. Renewing of the Mind
We have to reapproach the way we think. First, the world wants to tell us that we are enough, good and we can do it all on our own. This leaves us always feeling like we are coming up short. We cant possibly ever measure up. We then turn to idols, crutches, things of this world to try to full this whole.
The renewing of our mind means we must transform our thinking. Our thoughts create our feelings, that alter our actions and the results. By renewing our minds and recognizing God’s will for our life we are able to overflow that whole the world cannot fill and withstand the tests of the enemy.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
5. Spending Time with Him and an Open Heart
The very nature of surrender means we come to Him with open hands. But we have to practice continuing to come to Him and learn to hold our plans with open hands to the Lord. The best way always to learn more about what He has in store for us is through the bible.
