"Those who make it through these times show a courage not their own."
Basic Text, p. 86
Before coming to NA, many of us thought we were brave simply because we had never experienced fear. We had drugged all our feelings, fear among them, until we had convinced ourselves that we were tough, courageous people who wouldn't crack under any circumstances.
But finding our courage in drugs has nothing to do with the way we live our lives today. Clean and in recovery, we are bound to feel frightened at times. When we first realize we are feeling frightened, we may think we are cowards. Were afraid to pick up the phone because the person on the other end might not understand. We're afraid to ask someone to sponsor us because they might say no. We're afraid to look for a job. We're afraid to be honest with our friends. But all of these fears are natural, even healthy. What's not healthy is allowing fear to paralyze us.
When we permit our fear to stop our growth, we will be defeated. True courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the willingness to walk through it.
Just for Today: I will be courageous today. When I'm afraid, I'll do what I need to do to grow in recovery.
There isn't a day in my life where I don't experience fear. It used to be pretty paralyzing at times. Today, by the grace of God and the program of Narcotics Anonymous, I experience less fear, than ever before. It is the greatest gift the program has given me.
