The basis of all 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous is humility, the spirit of which is necessary in keeping our egos deflated. Admitting to our innermost self that we are alcoholic, learning to trust in God, and making a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God are all steps on the road to humility. In the Fourth Step, identifying who we are and acceptance of what that means is both ego-deflating and humbling. As for myself, the most paramount of steps in which I accepted humility was the 5th Step, during which I shared my 4th Step - the deepest, darkest side of myself - with myself, God and another human being.
In the 7th Step we offer all of ourselves, the good and the bad, to God - to do with us as He would do so that our human character defects do not manifest themselves in our behavior. Another step in which humility occurs is the 9th Step,as we go out and make our amends, reconciling the wrongs we have done in the past. And finally the 11th Step, in which recovered alcoholics reside, praying only for the knowledge of God's will and the power to carry that out. All of these steps can only be performed and will only be successfully taken with a humbled spirit.
Humility unlocks the door to the Grace of God. Only through such a humbled spirit may we recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body - making humility absolutely necessary.
Written by Armand
Michael C.
ReplyDeleteIt is vitally important for me to know what humility is and then to understand its impact on each of The Steps in the program of Recovery. As you so clearly point out, humility is the forerunner of grace and grace is what my life has been missing. Again, it is only by integrating all Twelve Steps into my life in such a way that they become my life that I receive the gift of grace. In the Fifth Step, I learned that I must somehow find a way to clearly recognize who and what I am today followed by a genuine desire to become what I could be. How exactly is that accomplished? This post presents a meaningful view of the path I must thoroughly follow. That path is available to me and to all fellow sufferers. Along the way, we meet one another and, in the process, meet and find ourselves.
Michael what we Become is the human being God created us to be. I know you did not ask that question but it was triggered by you writing what I could be...Thank you...Armand
DeleteFor me,, the most challenging parts of humility are obedience and putting others above myself. It's just not part of my nature to be obedient to God or others in authority. Fear of losing control and an unacceptable outcome overwhelms me. This is my test of doing God's will and the subjugation of my ego. Related to that is learning not to be center stage in all I do. I believe I have lost that ability to be the center of the universe because I don't handle it well. Learning to be silent or a man of few words is the only way I've found to help others and myself. Humility for me has been the foundation of anything good in my life.
ReplyDeleteJim you have been missed.
DeleteHumility is tough for us ego maniacs actually impossible if we live our life in our nature. Humility can only occur for us surrendered in the will of God...Thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteHumility is the direct product of the state of truly accepting and, more importantly, believing that God alone is sovereign in all things, at all times, everywhere.. I have discovered that anything less than the complete surrender of ourselves; that is, mind, body and spirit to the Person of God in the 4th and 5th steps will leave us still living the delusion that we continue to somehow possess the leverage to negotiate the terms and conditions of our “ recovery”. Thus, allowing us to carry on with our lives as though alcohol or any other substance abuse issue was our only problem and were it not for that "daemon rum" life would be just dandy. However, the purpose of executing these steps in the presence of either an AA sponsor or other spiritual advisor is to have a temporal witness to this deeply humbling spiritual commitment. It is our complete surrender to God in the presence of another that makes the "talk" a "walk" and propels us through the birth pains of a new, right and eternal relationship between God, ourselves and all of His creation...
As long as this alcoholic entertains any thought or imagining that God desires that I continue to direct life's tour would easily come under the definition of insanity and the basic foundation of the mental meanderings of a megalomaniac. It reminds me of the bumper stickers I've seen that say "God is my Co-Pilot". I want to run to the driver and fervently encourage them to pry their fingers off the "wheel" and quickly "swap seats", for although that type of thinking provides a form of "spiritual" walk it completely lacks the Power of the Author and Finisher of the journey as we now mistakenly begin to rely upon Him to accomplish our will with His power. A desperately destructive arrangement until we finally place the keys of our lives completely into His perfectly capable hands.
Simply put, This alcoholic is incapable of self-generating the actions that lead to the serenity spoken of in the Big Book. Never could, never will. The serenity that is a product of true humility is a gift of God only given when we "humble themselves and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, For then His eyes shall be open and His ears attentive to the prayers of this place." And thus, He says, "I shall grant you a time of refreshment". That, my brother, is serenity.
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic.
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
ReplyDeleteThe surrender of our nature must be Complete and absolute...Thank you...Armand