I knew Him only through my afflictions. In my weakened state, all my ego & selfish pride disintergrated, & nothing was left but the wretched disease of alcoholism. In the abyss of this misery it seemed like heaven's doors were firmly shut, but my Creator knew what's best. The potter knew, but the creation did'nt.
Pain, that He designed for humans was the touchstone to progress. The most destructive force that I ever experienced in my life was the emotional pain of alcoholism. As the 12 steps was applied to this painful illness of alcoholism, a new beginning emerged, almost like the cracking of an eggshell as life emerges. I was going to know a new freedom & a happiness. A life beyond my human understanding. Pain, the terrible catalyst for human misery became an asset, to transform my ego into humility by the grace of a loving God.
I thank God for the pain in my life now, because it keeps me in fit spiritual condition.
Yes God will always allow us to encounter more than we can bear so we learn to rely on Gods strength but God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able, but with temptation will make the way of escape that we will be able to bear it. I truly believe I am who I am today because of who I was yesterday, a steady work of progress,continuing to seek that "fit spiritual condition"the daily reprieve practiced through our principles and guided by our God. Our Higher Power can bring great treasures out of the darkness in our lives,we do not want to waste our trials but strive to learn what God is teaching !As our friend and blessed supporter of the message of hope and the promise of freedom, MR. DAVID would say,'THANKS FOR THE INSIGHT GONEE!!!!
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
I have a friend who is sober and has a good "program". He is in horrible physical pain (bone-on-bone, needs two knee replacements and has no money/insurance and is having horrible mental/emotional pain due to other conditions that are not responsive to medication) and yet he remains humbly grateful for what he does have, and is always doing something nice for somebody else. I have to say, I am having a hard time with this situation--it hurts and it's scary-- and yet in my heart I believe there must be something that will see him through the pain, that will help my friend keep going and not lose hope.
Attended a funeral for a 42 year old mother of children ages 9 and 4 yesterday. My friend's wife. He shared with me that the spiritual foundation they had was enabling him to get through the pain of losing his spouse to cancer. Leaning on my higher power eases my pain. Thanks for the insight gonee----
