Sober Mercies

With humor and unstinting honesty, Heather Kopp shares how a committed, church-going Christian who wrote books about prayer developed into a chronic alcoholic who secretly guzzled chardonnay in her bathroom. Using her own recovery story as a springboard, she explores the unique challenges and spiritual conumdrums Christians face upon realizing that they've become hopelessly ensnared in an addictive behavior.

Christian addicts are no different than others when it comes to the nature of our problem and its solution. But because Christians are generally more inclined to think of addiction as a purely moral or sin-related issue, we often attempt to takle it by trying harder, praying longer, or repenting with greater fervor. These are well-intentioned, commendable responses, but unfortunately they're rarely sufficient on their own to relieve us of the obsessive impulses characteristic of most addictions. Heather's story demonstrates how faith and recovery don't have to be in conflict but can inform and illuminate each other, lighting a path to a more authenic relationship with God.

SOBER MERCIES invites readers into the unexpected gifts of a life of sobriety and spiritual renewal. It will encourage Christian readers who are suffering alone to reach out for help. As readers vicariously experience Heather's relief at discovering a new way to live, they'll see how her story is also theirs; they will recognize that what they really crave is a deeper, daily experience of God's unwavering grace.