Humility
True Humility
27/May/ Filed in: Humility
There is no real progress in recovery without humility. That confused me at first, and I stubbornly resisted. I was not about to become a slave to my situation and accept whatever came my way, however humiliating. But true humility is not meek surrender to a destructive way of life. It means surrender to God's will, and that's a different matter! Humility enables us to set aside our self-will and become more attuned to God's.
A truly humble attitude brings dignity and grace to us. It strengthens us.
[F]or God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
—Anonymous
Personal Jesus
06/April/ Filed in: 3rd Step
AA's wording of Step Three suggests that we turn "our will and our lives over to the care of God as we underst[an]d Him." This expresses a humble point of view, one that recognizes that no one of us is capable of fully understanding God and His will. While all of us in this recovery fellowship recognize Jesus as our Higher Power, no two of us have the same relationship with Him. He reaches out to us as individuals, loving each uniquely.
Chapter 4 of the Big Book closes with these words:
"Even so has God restored us all to our right minds. To this man, the revelation was sudden. Some of us grow into it more slowly. But He has come to all who have honestly sought Him.
"When we drew near to Him He disclosed Himself to us!"
Reach out and touch faith.
—Anonymous