When I become angry or resentful, it is in that moment that I manifest my human SELF-CENTEREDNESS. In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous it says "that we think is the root of our troubles." It also goes on to say "It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness. To the precise point that we permit these do we squander the hours that might have been worthwhile. But with the alcoholic whose hope is the maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience, this business of resentment is infinitely grave. We found it fatal! For when harboring such thoughts we cut ourselves off from the sunlight of the spirit."The solution to our alcoholism is a vital spiritual experience. We must give life to our relationship with God. We accomplish this by turning from our human nature and living in the will of God. We receive God's will through inspiration conditioned by prayer and meditation. We can't possibly be in the will of God when we are manifesting SELF - CENTEREDNESS in our lives , but by sobrogating our human nature to the will of God we cannot possibly manifest the SELF - CENTEREDNESS of our human nature in our behavior.
Written By Armand
Self-centeredness was the epicenter of my problems. It prevented me from having a relationship of value with anyone else, including those closest to me. My resentments were futile attempts at righting myself by wronging others; my spirit was darkened and blocked as a result. It was only by integrating all Twelve Steps into my life in such a way that they became my life that I was freed from the bondage of self-centeredness, and awakened to the Spirit Within. However, my human nature is persistent and, in many ways, my ultimate addiction. Thus, I must find a way each day to experience the vitality of my spirit. Usually that occurs by giving myself away.
ReplyDeleteMichael the true malady 'self centered fear."...Thank you...Armand
Delete"The chief activator of our defects has been self-centered fear-- primarily fear that we would lose something we already possessed or fail to get something we demanded." To that I would add the fear that "I am not enough," that deep insecurity that always seemed to drive me. I sought to soothe that fear with alcohol and with instincts gone wild, but I could never get enough to fill the "hole in the soul." The solution to my self-centered fear is to lead a God-centered life. I can only accomplish that through taking the 12 Steps and having a spiritual awakening. The popular misconception about AA is that it is one of the "self-help" programs. It is not-- it is a "God help" program.
ReplyDeleteDan love that it is a "God help program."...thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteArmand,
ReplyDeleteTrue humility simply cannot exist in the mind and heart of a self-centered thinker. Humility, that state of being God centered only occurs as we spend time; serious time, in the presence of the Master, prayerfully communing with Him, seeking out His will and guidance in every moment, in every action so that our very lives begin to become the essence of His prayer. This is His will not just for us personally, but for All-of-His-Children. He cares for each and every one of us the same. And yes, even for those whom, through ignorance of their lost state, have spitefully used and abused us...
It is a fact that from the time I left my mothers womb, Gods will has always been the diametric opposite of my own. Always inconvenient and never focused on what I believed should have been the proper “spin" on the world for that day.. No one had to teach me how to lie, steal, cheat or throw a tantrum when my demands weren’t met. That unfortunate behavior came as natural to me as as breathing. And... I would humbly suggest I am not alone. Anyone who has children or closely observed them from afar, if totally honest, will agree with that fact. This well hidden self-centered pride pollutes everything. It stunts my spiritual growth, hobbles my relationships and causes me to miss Gods blessings. When I allow pride to reign, life becomes bland, truth becomes relative and values become debased.
And so I pray: Lord, You only ask that I believe You are who You say You and that I am in total need of You in my life. Please help me to become evermore willing to let You change my life for the better. Help me to avoid the calling of my sin nature and bear unimpeachable testimony to your intervention into my life. Forgive me when I look away from you for even an instant and plummet into the all too imaginary raging waves of life as did Peter in the Sea of Galilee when he took his eyes from you. For only when my mind is firmly planted upon Your Word and gloriously sweet Presence will I have the power to face the ambiguities of today with the absolutes of Your truth, guidance, grace and love with all whom you place upon my path.
I am grateful for the truth of Your words Jesus as recorded in Matthew 11:28 - 30, "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." It is at this juncture, as I surrender my yet limited understanding of life on life's terms that I again begin to be inspired by the Master, to seek out and think the Masters thoughts and do the things the Master does as He progressively becomes the only object and destination of my journey.
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic my experience is that when the Lord is present in my life and I have a thought that is opposite to the will of God, that thought of my nature is immediately rejected...Thank you...Armand
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