Al-Anon Meeting Topic: Restoration to Sanity

I Must Believe It First

The first time someone gave me some Al-Anon literature, trying to 12-step me into the program, I read the part where it said that we work the 12 steps ourselves, which included believing a higher power could restore us to sanity!

I have to tell you, that I was totally offended! I tossed the pamphlet across the room in disgust. After all, there was nothing wrong with me!!!

It would be another 4 or 5 years before I would make it back into the rooms. By then there was no denial left in me. I was crazy as hell and I knew I needed help!

Putting Limitations on God

The way I see Step 2 today is my higher power, whom I choose to call God, is capable of not only restoring me to sanity but also giving me much, much more as he cares for my life. But the secret is, I have to believe it will happen first. That's why Step 2 is before Step 3.

If I put limitations on what my God is capable of doing for me, I am thereby putting limits what I am able to receive -- because I have simply not yet "come to believe" it can happen.

I have to believe it to receive it!

-- BuddyT

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