In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous it says, "When we encountered A.A., the fallacy of our defiance was revealed. At no time had we asked what God's will was for us; instead we had been telling Him what it ought to be. No man, we saw, could believe in God and defy Him, too. Belief meant RELIANCE, NOT DEFIANCE. In A.A. we saw the fruits of this belief: men and women spared from alcohol's final catastrophe. We saw them meet and transcend their other pains and trials. We saw them calmly accept impossible situations, seeking neither to run nor to recriminate. This was not only faith; it was faith that worked under all conditions. We soon concluded that whatever price in humility we must pay, we would pay."Written by Armand
My defiance manifested itself in myriad personality disorders. Obstinate, stubborn, defensive, sneaky, jealous, impatient....and more. Alcohol masked it all in the presence of a barroom big deal, a drunken hail fellow well met. I was without power and without a Higher Power It wasn't that I didn't believe in something, it was that I didn't trust anyone or anything. Step Two taught me to overcome that lifelong absence Further, I learned that by integrating all Twelve Steps into my life, I could trust that I would be led to the Truth through the awareness and relationship with The Power Within me. On that, I could absolutely rely. On that, i could build a life of partnership and peace. Today reliance is the essence of my spiritual condition. Defiance is the total absence of that gift of sobriety.
ReplyDeleteMichael this morning I placed my human nature at the feet of the Lord. It is the only way I can live and not suffer the brunt of self...Thank you....Armand
DeleteWrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy and but not least, gluttony. Each represents the essence of unrestrained human nature. All find their foundation in a self-worship that perverts the otherwise healthy instincts that God has provided for us to survive and flourish in this world. None can be completely abandoned by anything short of a miracle. What is impossible for mankind is remarkably easy for God. The former was the bucket of muddy water I carried through the doors of AA, and were it not for a crippling and overwhelming sense of desperation I would never have crouched to enter through that low and narrow 12 Step gate.
ReplyDeleteTruly; God Himself had been walking beside me all along, even during the most depraved events of my prodigal journey. Lovingly reaching out past my every act of unwavering defiance. His only one desire for me? That I surrender to His unspeakable love, accept the price he paid for me and invite Him to dwell within my heart as He became the Lord of my life. The 12 Steps and fellowship of AA brought into crystal clarity the faith hope and love that is the grace of the Eternal Author's gift, freely offered to all who would receive it.
And having received Him, I have been invited to be a partaker in all that His Presence provides; true love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I am yet no perfect practitioner or receiver of these virtues that are the essence of the serenity He provides… But just for today, I continue to pray that I will more clearly see His Presence in this world, in circumstances, in people, in the new person He is creating in me and celebrate the new life He is creating in others! Lord, I want to start this day with a pure heart so that I will experience more of the wonder of Your grace and goodness.
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic..
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic Each morning before we begin our day time must be spent in surrendering our nature to receive God's will...Thank you...Armand
DeleteGood morning Armand,
ReplyDeleteI am grateful to be reminded today that I cannot get sober and stay sober without relying on a Power greater than myself. In the old days of drinking I thought my will power alone was enough. If I believe that today, than I am believing in a lie and therefore not working Step 2.
Today when I awake, I HUMBLY ask God to guide me and direct me in ALL my affairs. If I fall short during a day's work, I stop and ask God for forgiveness. Always remembering to say, "If it be thy will." Faith, trust and reliance upon God has definitely come to me through the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Sid
Sis a life lived as you describe is a life worth living...Thank you...Armand
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