Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves
could
restore us to sanity.
Step Two is a logical outgrowth of Step One because if in Step One
we have confessed our powerlessness to run our own lives, it then
becomes obvious to us that we must seek a new source of strength.
This source must be infinitely more powerful than any of the
resources we have used before which is what Step Two describes as a
progression of faith.
First, we "came” to the end of our resources and began, in humility,
to "turn around”. Secondly, we "came to”. Like the prodigal son who
"came to his senses”, we are awakened to our sick state of the soul
and began to experience sobriety of the mind, will and emotions.
Thirdly, we "came to believe”. Here our spiritual journey begins to
lead us out of self and into total dependence on a personal,
grace-filled deity.
For the Christian, this is the very beginning of the sanctification
process (Rom. 3:23) and where we must be willing to open our hearts
and lives to God. For some, the conversion process is a dramatic one
as in the conversion of St. Paul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9).
However, for most people, it is a very gradual process that requires
both spiritual and emotional maturity.
In order to achieve this level of maturity, we must eliminate all
toxic thinking, toxic attitudes, toxic relationships, toxic
behaviors, toxic faith and toxic substances from our world. We must
recognize that these toxic elements are objectives of our worship in
our former life and renounce them as idols.
We also must quit playing god ourselves. Addicts are notorious for
their self-centeredness and the Big Book is ruthless and clear about
the fact that this (narcissism, grandiosity, "Messianic” behavior)
is the very core of our problem. (BB p. 61)
We must renounce our placement of other people, religious leaders,
family members and human institutions on pedestals and in the role
of gods while asking God to begin healing us from any spiritual
addictions or abuses we may have experienced.
Although Alcoholics Anonymous was originally formed as a Christian
ministry, the 12 Steps by design do not tout doctrine. In regard to
spiritual maturity, the 12 Steps' self-imposed limitations present a
significant discipleship opportunity for Christians and the local
church.
While setting into context the biblically-faithful principles found
within the 12 Steps, it is important to add to our program the study
of Scriptures and other Christian reading and studies. Also, since
all healing comes in the context of community, it is critical to
regularly involve ourselves in a local grace-based Christian
fellowship as well as the fellowship of AA. Cultivating the
Christian disciplines in a program of recovery is essential to
spiritual, emotional, relational and physical healing.
As we prepare for action in Step Three, it is important to begin
opening our hearts and lives to this "Power greater than ourselves”
and look for signs of His involvement in our situations.
"But He has come to all who have honestly sought Him.
When we drew near to Him He disclosed Himself to us.” (BB p. 57, 22)
- Tom Thompson
This article is the third in a series to understand the origin of
the Big Book of Alcoholic's Anonymous and to empower recovery groups
and individuals seeking recovery from their dependencies to benefit
from the Christian principles found in it.
Pacific Hills Treatment Centers and Recovery Options Network provide
free resources that empower the Church and its members to
effectively address addiction and substance abuse issues through
Christ. We want to help you help others through treatment and
educational resources. Please visit us at
www.pachills.com or contact us
at (877) 722-4455 for more information.
Trademarks and Disclaimer: ALCOHOLICS
ANONYMOUS, A.A., and Big Book are registered trademarks of
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Our special thanks to:
Dick B., his published works and his web site,
www.dickb.com. Our gratitude for
the pioneering of Dr. Dale Ryan, founder of The National Association
of Christians in Recovery, and his website,
www.nacronline.com.
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