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
Thanks 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.
Dear Lord Jesus, 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
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A Gratefully recovering Alcoholic surrendering our nature to the will of is our defense against self destruction...Thank you...Armand
DeleteMichael C.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know where the fear emanated or what caused it. I didn’t feel safe - ever. Not as a child, a teen, a young adult, or as an adult. Alcohol temporarily took the fear away, in the process layering the real problem with even more fear. A life of regret, resentment and defiance was certain to follow, and it did. In the program of recovery, I learned that without the Third Step decision (final choice) to turn my thinking and my behavior over to the care of The Power Within me, I would continue to live in the fear and darkness which led to my alcoholism. Today I no longer live in fear. It has been replaced with trust and certainty, hope and direction. This has been made possible only by integrating all Twelve Steps into my life in such a way that they have become my life. Living fearlessly is living free. And living free means that I must give myself away. The ultimate gift of recovery.
Michael love 'fear replaced by trust."...Thank you...Armand
DeleteI have found the first step for me was to accept that my situation is what it was meant to be at this time and place. (Page 417) Once acceptance is provided to me, I slow down and can hear the will of God. A lot of the time His will is not the easiest path to take, but always the best. And once I know I am doing the will of God, what could possibility happen? There is great comfort to know that the Creator of the universe is guiding you. Now, that doesn't mean I dont get anxious, but being anxious is not fearful. If I trust Him, even though He is leading me to and through pain, I already know when I make it through the pain I will be benefiting from a better situation. I think that is my gift from recovery. Knowing that the Creator of the universe is deeply interested and wants the best for me. I had to have God remove my alcoholism first so I could hear him through the silence of the 11th step.
ReplyDeleteJim reminds me of I don't know if it's a good thing. I don't know if it's a bad thing....Thank you...Armand
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