12 STEPS to Recovery — STEP #2
Focus on the Recovery Process
12 STEPS to Recovery — STEP #2
Who or what is the “power greater than ourselves” that can “restore us to sanity?” Many people in recovery find difficulty in deciding. Their experience with “powers” such as parents, spouses, church representatives and others who are addicted to power and control led them to distrust all powers greater than themselves. These “powers” weren’t safe. They were abusive. Their abuse took many forms. Whether the abuse was physical, verbal, sexual, financial, emotional, spiritual or neglect, it was all hurtful and harmful. As a result, a person’s ability to trust others, including God is limited or not possible.
This is a primary reason why those in recovery think of their group whether Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, Narcotics Anonymous, etc, as their “higher power.” They find true love and acceptance in the group such as they have never known.
A “power greater than ourselves” is able to withstand the power of our adversary who seeks to undermine our character.
The body is the only medium through which the mind and the soul are developed for the upbuilding of character. Hence it is that the adversary of souls directs his temptations to the enfeebling and degrading of the physical powers. His success here means the surrender to evil of the whole being. The tendencies of our physical nature, unless under the dominion of a higher power, will surely work ruin and death. Ministry of Healing, p. 130.
In reality, the God of heaven and earth who created us is the only 100% safe Higher Power. His love and acceptance is unconditional. He always has our best interest in mind. John clearly states that “God is love (agape)” 1 John 4:8. God’s very nature is to love with this never failing kind of love (see 1 Corinthians 13).
We don’t need to fear or be dismayed (disheartened) because God will strengthen (empower) and help with the strength of an outstretched hand of love and mercy (see Isaiah 41:10).
[The Editor]