In recovery, however, hope has a sound purpose. But those of us caught in the thicket of alcoholism and other addictions had much experience with hopes that turned out to be merely cruel illusions. Instead, we try to let Him demonstrate, through us, what He can do.Īs a great virtue, hope is ranked with faith and love. So we never apologize for our belief in Him. The verdict of the ages is that men of faith seldom lack courage. We have good reason to disbelieve those who think spirituality is the way of weakness. We need not apologize to anyone for depending upon the Creator. I pray that I may try to follow His guidance in all personal relationships. I pray that I may rely on God in dealing with people’s problems. You must rely on God to help you in these vital matters. You alone do not have the power or wisdom to put things right between people. You cannot accomplish much of value in dealing with people until God knows you are ready. You must try to be guided by God in all human relationships. In dealing with personalities, it is a mistake to step out too much on your own. In spiritual things, you cannot rely so much on your own wisdom as on God’s guidance. In material things, you must rely on your own wisdom and that of others. If we daydream too much, we’ll be in danger of slipping. But later on, we can practice self-discipline in other ways to keep a firm grip on our minds so that we don’t start any wishful thinking. At first, giving up liquor is a big enough job for all of us, even with God’s help. Using self-discipline and denying ourselves a few things is good for us. We alcoholics used so little self-control when we were drinking, we were so absolutely selfish, that it does us good to give up something once in a while. This spiritual experience helped me to see how willingness was the key to working the rest of the Twelve Steps to recovery. She said that since her husband had died she was deathly afraid of elevators. I asked for God’s help, entered the elevator, and there in the corner was a lady crying. One day I decided I must walk through this fear.
During the first three years of sobriety I had a fear of entering an elevator alone. In the Sixth Step I intensified the action I had taken in the first three Steps - meditating on the Step by saying it over and over, going to meetings, following my sponsor’s suggestions, reading and searching within myself. To use my will alone to work on them would have been trying obsessively to solve the problem. When I had taken my Fifth Step, I became aware that all my defects of character stemmed from my need to feel secure and loved. If we still cling to something we will not let go, we ask God to help us be willing.
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