Wine O’Clock Woes, the mystical hour of 4:30 p.m.—when the sun begins to set, the emails stop coming, and your wine glass starts whispering sweet nothings. It’s “wine o’clock,” and the temptation to pour a glass can feel as inevitable as laundry piling up (and just as easy to ignore).

But what if you could change the narrative? What if, instead of reaching for the bottle, you reached for a new habit that leaves you feeling refreshed, not regretful? Spoiler alert: You can.

Let’s start with some soul food—a Bible verse to keep you grounded: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18, NIV). This isn’t about guilt-tripping you out of your White Zinfandel; it’s about finding a deeper, more satisfying source of comfort.

Here are some practical (and yes, slightly humorous) ways to outsmart that pesky glass of red and defeat your Wine O’clock Woes:

Swap the glass for a mug.

Fill it with herbal tea, sparkling water, or even hot chocolate. Bonus points if the mug has an inspirational quote like, “Jesus and Coffee First.”

Create a 4:30 ritual.

Instead of pouring wine, pour into yourself. Whether it’s a quick prayer, a gratitude journal, or a walk around the block, build a habit that uplifts you. Reflect on Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Yes, even saying no to that tempting glass.

Phone a (non-wine-drinking) friend.

(I am not saying it’s ok to call a vodka drinking buddy but we are talking about Wine O’ Clock woes here not Vodka O’ Clock.) Accountability is powerful. Call someone who supports your journey and can make you laugh without corks popping in the background. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).

Channel your inner chef.

Who needs a wine pairing when you’ve got the ultimate spice rack? Try out a new recipe that takes focus and creativity. As you cook, meditate on Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”

Dance it out.

Put on your favorite playlist and dance like nobody’s watching (because nobody is). A little joy goes a long way in resetting your mindset. “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10) Here is a playlist that starts with Mandisa’s song “Good Morning”  Though I still can’t keep up to these young whipersnappers I bounce around and get my heart rate up and my brain reprogrammed. https://youtu.be/H7OnZCtISkI?si=2r38XZXf0n9PKlM9

Pray through the craving.

When the wine whispers become shouts, turn to prayer. Ask for strength and guidance in overcoming your wine o’clock woes. I got that advice from the famous singer/songwriter Amy Grant (married to Vince Gill) when she was 16 years old. She had just put out her first album and was in Phoenix at the Christian bookstore signing autographs. She signed a bookmark (which of course I lost in my ADHD chaos) but it had on it her favorite verse which is a good one to remember when we are trying to make excuses about “a slip”  We don’t slip into a drink…we dive into a relapse.

Corinthians 10:13 reminds us: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” another version says “He will give you a way of escape that you may be able to endure it.”

Remember your why.

Why are you on this journey? Write it down and stick it to the fridge. Whether it’s health, relationships, or spiritual growth, let that “why” drown out the wine glass whispers. Tell a friend why you started, tell your counselor, your life coach, your recovery coach, your dog..tell someone that you have a purpose, God’s purpose and that is why you are going to say no what AA says is the “cunning baffling powerful” voice of alcohol and what the Bible says about the devil which is that he is here to “kill, steal and destroy” John 10:10.

So the next time “wine o’clock” rolls around, know that you have a toolkit (and divine backup) to outsmart that pesky glass of red. Because you, my friend, are capable of more than you think—and that’s worth raising a (non-alcoholic) glass to. And if you need additional support, try my 5 day sobriety challenge for free.

Cheers to your journey!

Prayers and Blessings to You!

Linda