Higher Power?

Recovery
#1

For all working 12 steps...how did you come to understand your higher power? I know there is one... conceptualizing, understanding, and personalizing it though.... a bit more difficult.

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#2

You are off to a great start with knowing there is one somewhere. Just talk/ pray and I believe you’re going to meet your higher power right where your at. Keep going!!

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#3

Thanks, Brian! Trying to not rush it, and just be grateful for these moments of exploration. I think this is where I've missed before. Appreciate your encouragement.

#4

Your welcome, my experience is those of us who rush it, miss out on a very strong personal relationship with your power of choice. Just BE and don’t pick up. Your worth this journey

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#5

For me it just kinda came to me as “it just is” that’s my HP… it just is. Knowing there is something bigger than my addiction, and me, was the point.

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#6

Thanks Tim! I think I get what you're saying, cause for me, just acknowledging that there is brings a level of comfort in itself.

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#7

I stopped trying to define God because he is beyond my understanding. I take note of everything happening around me and I see the work of a higher power. At first, I only saw it in other people’s lives. Now, I see His work in my life too.

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#8

I love that, Zanna! Makes so much sense.

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#9

It’s not the man in the white cloak staring down at us, as I was led to believe as a youth at church. For me it’s more of a universal connection, I can’t explain and sometimes I don’t want to. I just know Jason could never stop drinking or behaving like a selfish lunatic but since I humbled myself to be shown how to connect with this higher power, I have purpose and a plan for life. I focus the faith part, when I do, it has never let me down. Hope that helps and makes sense.

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#10

That does. Thanks Jason - the "humbling myself to be shown" is probably one of my biggest obstacles, as much as I don't want to admit it. Thanks for sharing!

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#11

Amen

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#12

Mine is simple, Jesus Christ, because I’m a Christian (but not a judgmental one—lol), but to each his or her own. One of my favorite singers is Justin Furstenfeld with Blue October fought addiction for decades and is now a decade clean through AA. His Higher Power is a bumble bee. If you want to know why, check out his recovery documentary, “Get Back Up.” It’s an eye opener. The whole concept is that we are helpless to overcome our addictions alone without the help of a power greater than us. Haven’t you proved that to yourself with relapses. I have. So what force or power do you suppose set the worlds in motion and can do things that you can’t such as stop using. Maybe the forces of nature or physics, IDK?

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#13

I really struggled with the higher power while in rehab, as did many others.

I believe that the higher power is part of AA to hit home the importance of re establishing values. It really doesn't matter what you believe in, you do not need it to be a physical person or thing, it can be an idea, nature, a tree, a frog.... Alcoholics are notoriously narcissistic and that is in direct conflict with the thought that the world doesn't revolve around us. In rebuilding all the relationships that you've damaged having those values to lean on can be very helpful

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#14

My sponsor made it pretty easy. As long as I know it’s not me, we can figure the rest out as we go.

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#15

Thank you all so much for sharing!

#16

I highly recommend checking out “Higher and Friendly Powers: Transforming Addiction and Suffering” (Wildhouse Publications, August 15, 2022), by Peg O’Connor, Phd. She is a recovering alcoholic and professor of philosophy specializing in addiction studies. She has been sober for 34 years. In her new book she examines and illuminates “higher power” in the 12-step context. Connect with Prof. O’Connor at https://pegoconnorauthor.com/

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#17

Thank you! I'll check this out.

#18

Beautifully stated, Jason. And the fact that you are asking about other’s concept of a higher power, Roman says a lot. Looks as though you are on the right path.

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#19

I like this. Not ‘me’

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#20

Thanks, Terri!