Faith and courage walk hand in hand. Courage empowers us to act in favor of what we believe, but cannot know. Courage is animated by the vision of faith. It doesn't take any faith to perform an action that doesn't require a risk. Only when the outcome is uncertain, and the effort itself a feat of daring, must faith and courage come on the scene together to get the job done.
To reach out to another, if we have known frequent rejection, is to act courageously in spite of an uncertain outcome. To stand firm in a decision, if we have always given in and given up, is to back our faith in a most daring and courageous way.
Many recovering people, who never think of themselves as spiritual, are excellent models of faith because they continually reach out for what is not common in their lives. Because they believe, they're willing and able to take the risk.
Today, I can do what I believe I can do.
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Every day, from my Step 11 practice, I write down my daily lessons/revelations. A few days ago I wrote the following:
'Fear stops me from being humble. Courage to face my fears also humbles me because both require faith.'
As long as my ego is active, I will always find 'facing my fears, and to be humble' a risky business.
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"... unless this person can experience an entire psychic change there is very little hope of recovery." Dr. Silkworth. (Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd Ed. p.xxix)
