fbpx

Ben Affleck: I Don’t Want My Children to Pay for My Sins

Photo courtesy of GMA via YouTube

Ben Affleck: I Don’t Want My Children to Pay for My Sins

By Jessilyn Lancaster, Managing Editor

As Ben Affleck opens up about his alcohol addiction and journey to sobriety, he’s showing just how much his family meant to him, and how much he lost when he let drinking take control.

Affleck himself grew up with an alcoholic father and didn’t want his children to experience the same pain.

“I really don’t want my children to pay for my sins or to be afraid for me which is one of the hard parts of being the child of an alcoholic,” Affleck told Diane Sawyer. 

During his binge drinking, the actor was married to fellow celebrity Jennifer Garner (MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN). The couple has three children, Violet, Seraphina and Samuel. Garner was spotted taking her children to church and says that the faith-based movie was a large part of her recommitment to her faith. 

Despite her rekindled faith, Affleck’s drinking amplified their marriage problems.

“People with compulsive behavior, and I am one, have this kind of basic discomfort all the time that they’re trying to make go away,” he said. “You’re trying to make yourself feel better with eating or drinking or sex or gambling or shopping or whatever. But, that ends up making your life worse. Then, you do more of it to make that discomfort go away. Then the real pain starts. It becomes a vicious cycle you can’t break. That’s at least what happened to, me.”

His wake-up call came when he realized how drinking was destroying his family.

“I never thought I was gonna get divorced. I didn’t wanna be a divorced person. I really didn’t wanna be a split family with my children, and it upset me because it meant I wasn’t who I thought I was. And, that was so painful and so disappointing,” the actor said.

The couple eventually split in 2015.

“The biggest regret of my life is this divorce,” Affleck said. “Shame is really toxic. There is no positive byproduct of shame. It’s just stewing in a toxic, hideous feeling of low self-worth and self-loathing.”

Affleck said that Garner has been “thoughtful, considerate, responsible, and a great mom and person,’” throughout their struggles, despite her heartache.

Affleck’s heartbreaking story is a prime example of why the Lord hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). When families are built on Christ’s foundation, they are able to weather even the fiercest storms. Please keep Ben and Jennifer in prayer as they continue to navigate his sobriety.

Watch the video below for his full interview.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Watch THE VELVETEEN RABBIT
Quality: - Content: +3
Watch SEVEN DAYS IN UTOPIA
Quality: - Content: +4