In the Third Step we made a decision to turn our will and our lives
over to the care of God. The Fourth Step is the next step in the
process, the purpose of which is to find out what it is about me that is
keeping the grace of God from my life. It is through the grace of God
that the healing occurs.
Many spiritual traditions include a deep
and thorough look at the past to discover the truth of what is
uncovered. Alcoholics Anonymous is no different. As we work
through the Fourth Step we may get the sense that the completed
program of Alcoholics Anonymous will allow us possibly for the first
time, to be living our lives as God originally intended us to - free of
the manifestation in our behavior of resentment, fear and anxiety. We
will then become the human beings God created us to be and we will
maximize our human potential, as the manifestation of our human nature
is perfected in the will of God.
Written by Armand
The Fourth Step and the clarity with which you've described its purpose is of vital importance in my daily life. The direct connection between thorough self-examination, the recognition and unblocking of my spirit, and the healing that follows is essential in assuring permanent sobriety and peace of mind. The sunlight of the spirit was completely blocked by me. It is why I drank. The damage done to me by me can only be healed by the awakened Spirit within me. The Fourth Step is the gateway to the healing process and the peace of mind that follows.
ReplyDeleteMichael well said my friend. The examination is repeated over and over again when we begin doing a daily Tenth Step and finally incorporating examination in the moment which becomes automatic as we improve our conscious contact with God...Thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteI come in contact with many fellows who come to A.A. For help with their drinking. When asked to sit down and read the Big Book of Alcoholic Anonymous they are showing a willingness to get well. But many times I find them to hesitate when it comes to the fourth step. Why does this seem to occur ? Possibly due to the third step not being completed with true honesty, Without honesty these steps will not be effective . Maybe they haven't come to terms with what is said in the beginning of "How it works"! As it states , "Rarely have we seen a person fail that has thoroughly followed our path". As defined in Westers dictionary , thoroughly means complete or completely as in completely " followed our path. Perhaps it is defiance that holds those back . Whatever it takes such as to be willing to go to any lengths to get sober that they may forge forward towards the 4th step of A.A. Is it our defiance , that is such a predominate characteristic of the Alcoholic that prevents the Alcoholic to get and stay sober ?
ReplyDeleteDon interesting comment. Many alcoholics do not understand that their is a difference between the strategies employed by the majority of the fellowship and the actual program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Many in AA are happy to simply not drink and may be using some of the steps or not at all, unfortunately even though not drinking they still suffer from untreated alcoholism. For a recovered alcoholic not drinking is a by product of a conscious contact with God that can only occur after the integration of the Twelve Steps of AA into their life in such a way as it becomes their life. On a personal note I continue to meet at the regularly scheduled time while the Fourth Step is being completed and have them work on it then if not completed...Thank you...Armand
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