"That God could and would if He were sought." AA book pg 60. Whenever I struggle with something that I find I cannot resolve despite using the best resources available, this short bit from the AA book resolves it for me. I have got to be honest though. Firstly I ask myself, Gonee do you really and truly believe that God could? Does He have the resources or is He inadequate to deal with this problem? Do you think that man has more resources than God? I look around and I find that all men have deserted me. They have given up on this sick alcoholic. They have discarded me to the rubbish dump. Even the best of men. My sickness has overwhelmed them, despite their noble promise to help me. I have to cry out to a God whom I don't understand and I don't know. Secondly I ask myself, Gonee do you really and truly believe that God would? Does He want to have any dealings with a person like me? The AA book says He is a Father. Do I honestly believe that statement?
I have found always that God always wants to. He is a loving Father. I am a human father with many failings, but when it comes to my children I always want to.
The only requirement is that I seek Him. No qualification. But self gets in the way. That's what the steps are there for. To get rid of self so that I may seek Him. Self tells me that I can and God cannot. Once self is removed only God is left and He delights to see the prodigal son has returned to Him. What a joyous occasion it is and He calls for a celebration for one who was once lost but now I am found.
Yes. My higher power of the tree in my front yard really helps me too. I'm mostly joking gonee and I am really glad your ultra-dogmatic take on AA works for you. Please be careful that your message is going out to people who are judging the whole of AA off your posts. While there are quotes from the big book in your post, they are spun with your interpretations and serious Christian overtones. The AA book is my general "bible" for sobriety too and I buy into just about all of it, but I am also smart enough to realize that it was written during specific period of time and it was written by Bill W. who was a great man but NOT GOD. His belief in the father image of God was just that....HIS belief. Over time it has become widely accepted and is written in the steps that a HP is "as we understand" So to anyone new reading this, just know that AA is encompassing of all types and the only requirement is a desire to stop drinking.
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
