“Faith without works is dead.”
— Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 88
What simple action can I take today to align my faith with how I live—especially when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable?
This quote reminds me that my ACTION actually dictates my outcomes in all aspects of life. I can have all the faith in my heart and mind, but if I take no action-I won’t end up with results. My sponsor and others in the program remind me that this is a program of action for results, the rest of my life is the same. It’s not always easy, but the best results come when it’s not and I do the thing anyway.
During this process of learning more about humility, the most profound result of all was the change in our attitude toward God.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 75
Today my prayers consist mostly of saying thank you to my Higher Power for my sobriety and for the wonder of God’s abundance, but I need to ask also for help and the power to carry out His will for me. I no longer need God each minute to rescue me from the situations I get myself into by not doing His will. Now my gratitude seems to be directly linked to humility. As long as I have the humility to be grateful for what I have, God continues to provide for me.
“Our liquor was but a symptom. So we had to get down to causes and conditions.”
— Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 64
Am I willing today to look beneath the surface—to explore what’s really driving my discomfort, reactions, or habits?
I really thought in the beginning that if I just put down the drink, everything in life would sort itself out. Imagine my surprise when 2 years into my sobriety, I found myself in these repeating loops. Different faces & places, but same 'ol stuff. That’s when I prayed to whoever was listening to show me the way because clearly I was the problem and by divine intervention, the next morning I was brought to AA. This program is how I’ve been able to see what makes me tick. To work on the causes and conditions. Because the causes were what made me drink-alchol was truly but a symptom of my twisted thinking and unhealthy coping mechanisms. I still can have that twisted thinking today, but I stay in the program and continue to live life on life’s terms and work through the things that arise with my sponsor and by doing more step work around what comes up. Progress, not perfection is good with me. Each day I get to decide which direction I go in-up the steps to the light or down the steps into the darkness. I am grateful for this today.
Many of us who had thought ourselves religious awoke to the limitations of this attitude. Refusing to place God first, we had deprived ourselves of His help.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 75
Many false notions operate in false pride. The need for direction to live a decent life is satisfied by the hope experienced in the A.A. Fellowship. Those who have walked the way for years – a day at a time – say that a God-centered life has limitless possibilities for personal growth. This being so, much hope is transmitted by the elder A.A.s.
I thank my Higher Power for letting me know that He works through other people, and I thank Him for our trusted servants in the Fellowship who aid new members to reject their false ideals and to adopt those which lead to a life of compassion and trust. The elders in A.A. challenge the newcomers to “Come To” – so that they can “Come to Believe.” I ask my Higher Power to help my unbelief.
“We stood at the turning point.”
— Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 59
Is there a decision I’m facing today—big or small—where I can pause, ask for guidance, and choose a path rooted in faith instead of fear?
Every day I stand at that turning point. Do I get closer to my recovery, to my HP and what I am looking to achieve in life? Or do I get further away. The choice is mine. Often fears want to run the show, but if I do the steps and hold faith, anything is possible and I’m grateful to know this today.
But now the words “Of myself I am nothing, the Father doeth the works” began to carry bright promise and meaning.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 75
When I put the Seventh Step into action I must remember that there are no blanks to fill in. It doesn’t say, “Humbly asked Him to (fill in the blank) remove our shortcomings.” For years, I filled in the imaginary blank with “Help me!” “Give me the courage to,” and “Give me the strength,” etc. The Step says simply that God will remove my shortcomings. The only footwork I must do is “humbly ask,” which for me means asking with the knowledge that of myself I am nothing, the Father within “doeth the works.”
“If we were to live, we had to be free of anger.”
— Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 66
Is there anger—toward myself, others, or a situation—that I’m holding onto today? What would it feel like to let it go, even just a little?
I used to be SO angry at my dad for his alcholism. In working the steps, I was able to see that it had nothing to do with me. It’s the stinkin’ thinking and pain that runs in my family lines. This program allows me to have compassion and love for others who suffer instead of condemnation. I got word this morning my cousin’s ex husband is now in the hospital dying due to his addictions. Instead of being angry like some are, I totally get it and I have love and compassion for him and all who are impacted by it. If I find myself angry at something, I pray. I ask for insight and how to rid myself of that poison because it does no good. It reminds me of Mother Theresa saying she would not go to an anti-war rally, but she would go to one for peace. We have to build the good and cease fighting anything or anyone. I’m not always perfect at this, but I certainly feel more peace by fighting less things in life. Most times I never had any control over them anyway.
By this time in all probability we have gained some measure of release from our more devastating handicaps. We enjoy moments in which there is something like real peace of mind. To those of us who have hitherto known only excitement, depression, or anxiety – in other words, to all of us – this newfound peace is a priceless gift.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 74
I am learning to let go and let God, to have a mind that is open and a heart that is willing to receive God’s grace in all my affairs; in this way I can experience the peace and freedom that come as a result of surrender. It has been proven that an act of surrender, originating in desperation and defeat, can grow into an ongoing act of faith, and that faith means freedom and victory.
“Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God’s world by mistake.”
— Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 417 (4th Edition)
Can I trust that even the uncomfortable parts of today may hold purpose or growth? What would it feel like to accept life just as it is right now?
I’ve had to do a lot of that this weekend. Trusting in the divine plan. Knowing that there is a bigger picture that I can’t see, but God does. Believing all that happens is somehow for the highest & greatest good, even if I struggle to see it. And knowing that all will be ok. We don’t need to understand the why, sometimes we just need to go with the flow, accept what is and trust it’s the best course because God doesn’t make mistakes.
“My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad.”
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 76
The joy of life is in the giving. Being freed of my shortcomings, that I may more freely be of service, allows humility to grow in me. My shortcomings can be humbly placed in God’s loving care and be removed. The essence of Step Seven is humility, and what better way to seek humility than by giving all of myself – good and bad – to God, so that He may remove the bad and return to me the good.
“We usually conclude the period of meditation with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be.”
— Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 87
Am I pausing today to ask for guidance instead of rushing to figure everything out myself? What might happen if I simply stayed willing and open?
This is a great reminder for me today to invite my HP in. I woke up late today and didn’t have time to shower before work and that’s usually when I have a good talk with God and amongst other things, I ask to be shown the next right thing to do throughout the day. I’m off my normal routine today so I am grateful for this reminder.
“I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows.”
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 76
Having admitted my powerlessness and made a decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of God, as I understand Him, I don’t decide which defects get removed, or the order in which defects get removed, or the time frame in which they get removed. I ask God to decide which defects stand in the way of my usefulness to Him and to others, and then I humbly ask Him to remove them.
“Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them.”
— Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 84
What’s showing up in me today that needs attention—resentment, fear, selfishness? Am I pausing long enough to hand it over and reset?
I will watch for opportunities to do more of this work today. Nothing is immediately coming to mind this morning, but the day is young lol.
Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant thought of others and how we may help meet their needs.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 20
Self-centeredness was my problem. All my life people had been doing things for me and I not only expected it, but I was ungrateful and resentful they didn’t do more. Why should I help others, when they were supposed to help me? If others had troubles, didn’t they deserve them? I was filled with self-pity, anger and resentment. Then I learned that by helping others, with no thought of return, I could overcome this obsession with selfishness, and if I understood humility, I would know peace and serenity. No longer do I need to drink.
Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant thought of others and how we may help meet their needs.~ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 20
For me, I actually had to get selfish when I got sober and again when I started working AA. As someone who had a tendency to lose myself in trying to help others, I had to begin saying no to them and yes to myself and my recovery. And that was one of the hardest things I’d ever done! I had to step back and focus on me for a while. While I didn’t realize how my alcoholism impacted others in a negative way and I admit I was selfish within that and was acting from a place of being full of fears & insecurities, I was also always stepping in to fix things for others I had no business fixing. It actually hurt both of us to do so in the long run. This program has taught me how to have more healthy boundaries. How to ACTUALLY help other people in a far more constructive way. There is a reason the steps are in order. When I first got sober, I wanted to shout it from the rooftops and have everyone all follow me in this new way of life. But I had to learn how to float before I could swim, and once I got pretty good at swimming, I could then begin to show others how it worked for me. And I am grateful this program allowed me to learn all of this today.
For us, if we neglect those who are still sick, there is unremitting danger to our own lives and sanity.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 151
I know the torment of drinking compulsively to quiet my nerves and my fears. I also know the pain of white-knuckled sobriety. Today, I do not forget the unknown person who suffers quietly, withdrawn and hiding in the desperate relief of drinking. I ask my Higher Power to give me His guidance and the courage to be willing to be His instrument to carry within me compassion and unselfish actions. Let the group continue to give me the strength to do with others what I cannot do alone.
“We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking.”
— Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 30
Am I staying grounded in the truth of my powerlessness today? How does that awareness help me stay connected to my Higher Power and my program?
For me, I tried to convince myself for years that I could “control” my drinking. The minute I thought I had to control my drinking, my drinking was actually already controlling me. So, naturally, while I carried the delusion of control my alcoholism just continued to progress. It’s a progressive disease. When I quit drinking, I thought it would be just for a little while to improve my health. Once my sober eyes got opened by connecting with other alcholics, I finally was able to see clearly that I would never be able to control my drinking. Today, I can admit I am powerless over the drink. If I have just one, the drink takes me to allllll kinds of places again without my permission. And I know where that leads. Since I am not ready to lie 6’ under beside my dad, my aunt and countless others I have lost to this disease, I will continue to do the work to keep me further from a drink today and do whatever it takes to end my day sober. I am grateful for this today.
Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 160
When I go shopping I look at the prices and if I need what I see, I buy it and pay. Now that I am supposed to be in rehabilitation, I have to straighten out my life. When I go to a meeting, I take a coffee with sugar and milk, sometimes more than one. But at the collection time, I am either too busy to take money out of my purse, or I do not have enough, but I am there because I need this meeting. I heard someone suggest dropping the price of a beer into the basket, and I thought, that’s too much! I almost never give one dollar. Like many others, I rely on the more generous members to finance the Fellowship. I forget that it takes money to rent the meeting room, buy my milk, sugar and cups. I will pay, without hesitation, ninety cents for a cup of coffee at a restaurant after the meeting; I always have money for that. So, how much is my sobriety and my inner peace worth?
“We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality—safe and protected.”
— Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 85
Am I remembering that recovery isn’t about constant struggle, but about spiritual alignment that brings peace? What helps me feel spiritually centered today?
In the beginning, I absolutely did have to avoid most situations where alcohol was involved. But, after working my recovery, having my network of people I could rely on and talk to, making plans to get out of there easily if I was tempted, etc I began to build my sober muscles. Now I live in a home where my old favorite drinks are always accessible and have been for 2 years as my partner is a normal drinker, but I’m not tempted and it doesn’t bother me at all. So long as I keep doing the work and keeping my spiritual self connected, I’m not fighting temptation. If I was, I would do whatever it takes to end my day sober and ditch it. But my mindset and being these days is one of peace and not fighting it. I’m grateful for this program for teaching me how to do this.
