Day 15 – Step Work
When we realized our powerlessness over our addictions, most of us felt stripped of any hope. Those of us who had grown up with no concept of God were certain we had exhausted every avenue of help. Meanwhile, those of us who believed in God were convinced He was too disappointed in us to help. Either way, step 2 presented us with an answer we had either never considered or else had discarded—to turn to God and find hope in the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Describe your “concept” of God at this time.
My concept of God at this time is that He is real, He exists, He is my Father in Heaven, He loves me, He’s extremely patient with me, and He wants me to succeed and have a happy marriage and life. Sometimes it’s hard to believe this, especially when I’ve been so rebellious and not willing to do what He suggests, but I really feel today that He is there and He does hear and answer my prayers in His own time.
Do you feel He is too disappointed in you to help you overcome your addiction? Explain.
I’ve felt that before, definitely, but today I don’t feel that. Today I feel I can turn to Him at any time for anything and He will be there to help. I feel the more I submit to Him and rely on Him, the more my faith and confidence will grow. I feel one thing I’d like to be better at is personal prayer – both morning and evening and throughout the day.
Has step 2 provided you with an answer on how to remain abstinent? Explain.
Yes, I feel step 2 has helped. I do have hope; I do feel that there is a way to move past my addictive actions and to work with God in my life.
I’ve been in the program off and on since 2007 so I am familiar with the other steps too – this makes it a bit more difficult to just feel like step 2 is providing me with the answer on how to remain abstinent, but each step is essential to full recovery; I’m glad I’m working on this step today.
Are you willing to turn to God and find hope in the Atonement of Jesus Christ, hope to be able to abstain AND to fully recover from addiction? Explain.
Yes, for sure! Today is day 304 in my recovery from my addiction to lust, pornography, masturbation, and other inappropriate sexual relationships. I know that this has only been possible because of my willingness to turn to God and find hope in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. There is no other way this could have happened. I do feel at times that Satan tries to tempt me to believe that this is all me, this is all due to my will power or due to the fact that I know what I’ll lose if I continue. But I don’t believe that. I feel that yes, I have to be willing to submit, and yes, it does help to understand and see what the consequences will be if I continue in my addiction, but ultimately I can’t overcome this on my own. I need the help of a higher power, and I’m grateful the Atonement is there to rely on and use every moment of my life.
Finally humbled, we reached out for help. Following what felt to us like the tiniest ray of hope, we began to attend recovery meetings. When we first came to meetings, we were filled with doubts and fears. We were frightened and possibly even cynical, but at least we came. There we heard men and women honestly describe what their lives had been like, what happened to change them, and what it was like to live in recovery from addiction. We discovered that many of the people we met in the meetings had once felt as hopeless as we felt. But now they were laughing, talking, smiling, attending meetings, praying, reading scriptures, and writing in their recovery journals.
How has meeting attendance given you hope?
Meeting attendance, both when I started the program, and since I came back, has been such a great provider of hope. It’s been great to see people like Alan, who I met when he first came into the program, now have over 1,400 days in recovery from his addictions. It’s been helpful to talk to other recovering addicts and hear their stories. Due to Spencer, one of my friends in recovery, I was able to find the sponsorship program which I’m really grateful for too.
I plan to continue attending recovery meetings indefinitely, not only for support from my own addiction, but to be able to help others who are working on recovery.
Does the living example of those who have recovered help you believe that recovery is possible for you too? Explain.
Yes. I’m grateful for what each recovering addict talks about at the meetings. I’m grateful for the Spirit that is felt there. I’m grateful to be part of a brotherhood of latter-day saints trying to escape from the chains of Satan. I’m grateful I’m not alone.
It’s great to be able to sit by a facilitator and others who have quite a bit of sobriety and recovery. It’s great to hear how they all went through the recovery process just like I am – one day at a time.
I look forward to this weeks recovery meeting.
I’m excited to be working on Step 2 this week. Hope is a key part of recovery and being willing to submit to God is essential for long-term recovery.
I didn’t get to study as much as I wanted to over the weekend so I will take some time today to read over the article titled “The Empowerment of Humility” by Richard C. Edgley. Without reading it yet, it seems I may have seen it before. I guess we’ll see.
Yes, the strength of the Church is in the millions of humble members striving every day to do the will of the Savior—day by day, one step at a time.
I really like that quote – both because it talks about strength and humility and one step (or day) at a time. I also like how it mentions the will of the Savior. This is what recovery and living with God is all about: being humble, which leads to having strength, taking things one step at a time, and submitting one’s will to the Savior and letting Him lead your path.
As I have pondered these faithful members, I am struck by two qualities they all seem to have. First, regardless of social or economic status or position, their humility leads to submissiveness to the Lord’s will. And second, in spite of the difficulties and trials of life, they are able to maintain a sense of gratitude for God’s blessings and life’s goodness. Humility and gratitude are truly the twin characteristics of happiness.
The two qualities that I want:
- Humility, which leads to submissiveness to the Lord’s will.
- Gratitude to God for the blessings He gives them.
I like the end quote too: “Humility and gratitude are truly the twin characteristics of happiness.”
In the kingdom of God, greatness begins with humility and submissiveness..Humility and submissiveness to the Lord, coupled with a grateful heart, are our strength and our hope.
This was a good talk. I think I’d started reading it before but may have never finished it.
I’m grateful for the desires I have to be humble. I will continue to pray for these desires to grow and progress.
I’m grateful for the desires I have to be submissive to God. I will continue to pray for these desires too.
Today is going to be a great day. Today we are headed to the doctor to see the ultrasound of our little Tyson. I’m hopeful that everything is well and that he is healthy and happy.
I’m grateful fro recovery. I’m grateful today is day 304 in my recovery.
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