What a beautiful program Alcoholics Anonymous is. Not only does it relieve our uncontrollable use of alcohol but is applicable to each and every problem in our lives.We come to A A because we desire to stop drinking alcohol and are unable to do so on our own. Alcohol severely impacts our lives, our minds, and our bodies. We discover through the program of Alcoholics Anonymous that alcohol, of itself, is not and was not the problem - it is but a symptom of the problem. The real problem with us as alcoholics (and addicts of any and all types) is self-centered fear. We are afraid we will not get what we want... and afraid to lose what we have.
When any of our human instincts are threatened we overreact until we make the decision in the Third Step of the program to turn our thoughts and our actions over to the care of God. Once we do this we are on our way to a serene and peaceful life. The integration of the remaining steps into our lives leads us to a life in which we are praying and meditating on a daily basis. When praying we ask only for the knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out. Remaining in that present state of mind, in the will of God, we do not drink. In God's hands all of our problems are solved.
God is the solution to the real problem. Once we are in His will we do not overreact when we think that our human instincts are threatened as we are trusting in His safety and serenity. May you find Him and his comfort now.
Written By Armand
My history was pockmarked with underachievement, over- reaction, carelessness, selfishness, and narcissistic fear. In that condition, I liked to boast about any accomplishments regardless of how incidental they may have been. In the program of recovery, I learned that hidden behind that facade was something of value but I needed to at least scratch the surface. That's exactly what I did as a member of AA. However, something larger, far beyond the surface was calling me to me - something Superhuman and it was already inside me. I learned that "your neighbor is your other self dwelling behind a wall. In understanding, all the walls shall fall." I was separated from myself by an unawakened spirit. Finding The Power Within me through incorporating The Steps into my life re-awakened my spirit and changed the life through which I trudged to the life I now live. The real solution to the real problem.
ReplyDeleteMichael loved "separated from myself by an unawakened spirit." Alcohol is but a symptom of the problem. The problem is self centered fear. The solution-a vital spiritual exprience...Thank you...Armand
DeleteKevin integrate the Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous into your life in such a way that it becomes your life...Thank You...Armand
ReplyDeleteMy problem is me. My self perception of my importance creates the over reaction you talk about. Totally true with me. I'm really not that important or interesting. People don't talk about me 5% of what my imagination wishes to believe. Because I believe I am the center of the universe, I put myself under tremendous pressure to a point it is possible for me to succeed. I can only succeed in doing God's will, not Jim's. I am still learning this as we speak. I will be the man I'm supposed to be when I learn only to do God's will. When that happens, I can to begin to realize the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
ReplyDeletejim when the surrender is complete in an absolute way we become the human being God created us to be thereby maximizing our human nature...Thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteIn a life fueled by alcohol and self will, I didnt know that self centered fear was at the root of it all but that is what I learned at the end of step 5 and these were the exact words of my sponsor. That was the start of my spiritual awakening which came by working steps 4 and 5 and sharing my inventory. After step three in the Big Book it says that this is but a beginning and it truly is and some people balk at it afraid to really let go of what has served them so well and wondering what it truly means. Step 3 is the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which we walk to freedom.
ReplyDeleteAnne in How It Works it says "that One is God may you find Him now." It is the decision we make in 3. That our thought process will no longer be propelled by our human instinct but rather by the will of God...Thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteThanks for Sharing Armand,
ReplyDeleteSelf centered fear and pride, together with covetousness exquisitely describe the motive force that propels every person who is absolutely inwardly convinced that the entire known universe was uniquely and exclusively created just for them. Yet, a casual glance at the world at large confirms that these regrettable characteristics are not the exclusive estate of the Alcoholic mind. Even the most sober minded and spiritual among us suffer the cravings of misdirected appetites and any denial of our true condition is the primal delusion that must be rooted out and tossed into the pit from which it originated for it is a core spiritual state that cannot even be recognized let alone overcome without Devine intervention. One of the greatest saints who ever lived wrote of this nearly 2000 years ago and I'll defer to the problem he identified and the solution he discovered.
Romans 7: 14 - 24
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
This gratefully recovering alcoholic has painfully proven in the past that even when I inwardly agree that the course I choose will ultimately lead to self destruction I will still "throw the dice" as my appetites demand hoping for a better outcome and that, my friend is insanity... Simple knowledge of my condition is of no avail until I fully accept that I'm completely, utterly and constitutionally incapable of overcoming my own will and, any self powered effort in that direction is tantamount to placing a hair net over the space shuttle with the expectation of preventing the launch.
Today I pray, dear God I respond now to Your invitation. You have called me to place into Your capable hands the trials and tribulations within me and about me. Help me to turn my cares over to You, and to rest in the assurance that Your solutions are greater than my problems. Give me a clear head and a trusting heart as I press onward on the path You have marked before me. You are the only one who can enter the tomb to breathe life into the fetid state of a long dead soul and provide a Damascus Road meeting with the Author of Light. Help me to continually uncover the peace, serenity and assurance that is the immutable fabric of a life lived in the arms of You, my Savior and Lord.
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic