It is through all our experience with our character defects that we've realized and recognized, set boundaries and applied cognitive therapy and behavioral modification but all to no avail - using these methods is like applying a band aid to a festering sore. What we really must do is get to
the root of the problem. Our character defects exist in our human nature,
not in the will of God. Therefore, if we are willing to perform the work necessary for the Spirit to be awakened within us by living in the back half of The Eleventh Step, "Praying only for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out" (
Alcoholics Anonymous) , our character defects will not and cannot possibly manifest in our behaviors. The power to carry out such knowledge must come from God, as our human nature will only try to sustain our selfish desires. Once we have taken this step we have pulled
the root of the problem from it's poisonous soils.
Some of us have learned through our experiences that we must do this - turn from our human nature and live in the will of God - if our character defects are not to exist in our behavior. Many of us have not. In Alcoholics Anonymous it is often said, "Let go and let God." The "let go" part is in the letting go of our thought process propelled by our human instincts. The "let God" part is thereafter, in which we surrender to the idea that God will propel our thought process through His inspiration. Inspiration is defined as "the thoughts of God implanted in the mind and soul of man." When this transformation of thought has occurred, the root of the problem has truly been healed.
Written by Armand
After decades in AA, I was still surprised to find out that the root of the problem lay in the root of me. On my own and of my own, I cannot fathom, I cannot manage, I cannot grow, I cannot give of myself. Of real happiness I will find none at all. Defiance, delusion and denial became the defenses I employed in order to hold on to my human nature despite its faulty wiring. It took an overwhelming feeling of absence to ultimately look to the only place where the solution could be found. Deep down within me I found The Power Within me by incorporating The Twelve Steps into my life until they became the basis for my life. My experience is that That Power is the only solution that can unearth the stubborn root of my nature and transform it into the essence of trust. I had to let go completely to completely trust The Power.
ReplyDeleteMichael love when you wrote "defiance, delusion and denial became the defenses I employed in order to hold on to my human nature." Our human nature will use any defense even love and kindness to defend our human instinct. As you say through the integration of the 12 Steps we extricate ourselves from the problem...Thank you...Armand
DeleteThe step 11 prayer in the second half of the step is so simple that we can miss it among all the other words in the literature. Instead I use the knowledge of my will and it doesn't work at all. Even if I grudgingly do what I think is Gods will I will ultimately have a happy outcome because it comes from the heart. Instead of the roots withering due to self will they need to be nourished with helping others and doing AA work and the end result is a spiritual way of life rather than a life run on self will. The root of the problem is self centered fear which causes all sorts of problems. So today I choose to pray for the knowledge of Gods will for me and the power to carry that out. Then leave the rest in Gods hands.
ReplyDeleteAnne love when you wrote " I choose to pray for the knowledge of God's will for me and the power to carry it out. Then leave the rest in God's hands." The difference between an Alcoholic in recovery and a recovered Alcoholic...Thank you...Armand
DeleteThis Comment Is From A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
ReplyDeleteArmand,
The root of the problem is, was and always will be my unwillingness to answer the clear clarion call of God. This is the universal struggle even the most immature mind can comprehend for His call is unmistakable. His will for the day is always above my understanding and always requires His power to accomplish. He never reveals the end from the beginning for the challenges are more than sufficient just for that day. If I am obedient in the moment and not fear that the "consequences" of my decisions may result in the "perceived loss" of what lies ahead in the unseen future, I will discover the blessing, deepen my faith and experience the true joy and freedom in life that can be apprehended in no other way. Living this life on the surface of the pond is an empty false flag adventure at best. A finite illusion of the infinite reality that can only be experienced with the True Guide and Lover of our souls. Having been dashed on the rocks too many times to count I have abandoned my swim up the rapids. For by His grace and mercy I am discovering the only Fountain of Life that leads to the ocean of love that is the essence of His being...
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic "God either is or He isn't, either He is everything or He is nothing." As Bill said "simple but not easy. It meant destruction of self centeredness. We must turn to the light in all things."...Thank you...Armand
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