"Our understanding of a Higher Power is up to us...We can call it the group, the program, or we can call it God."
Basic Text, p. 24
Many of us have a hard time with the idea of a Higher Power until we fully accept the depth of our own powerlessness over addiction. Once we do, most of us are at least willing to consider seeking the help of some Power greater than our disease. The first practical exposure many of us have to that kind of Power is in the NA group. Perhaps that's where we should start in developing our own understanding of God.
One evidence of the Power in the group is the unconditional love shown when NA members help one another without expectation of reward. The group's collective experience in recovery is itself a Power greater than our own, for the group has practical knowledge of what works and what doesn't And the fact that addicts keep coming to NA meetings, day after day, is a demonstration of the presence of a Higher Power, some attractive, caring force at work that helps addicts stay clean and grow.
All these things are evidence of a Power that can be found in NA groups. When we look around with an open mind, each of us will be able to identify other signs of that Power. It doesn't matter if we call it God, a Higher Power, or anything else-just as long as we find a way to incorporate that Power into our daily lives.
Just for Today: I will open my eyes and my mind to signs of a Power that exists in my NA group. I will call upon that Power to help me stay clean.
Many of us have a hard time with the idea of a Higher Power until we fully accept the depth of our own powerlessness over addiction
this was very true for me. Step one is a two parter...admitting powerlessness which i had a problem with and admitting that my life was unmanageable which was pretty clear even to me. As I steeped myself in NA I began to see how my disease of addiction had many faces. Drugs were only a part of it. Depression, anxiety, anger, resentment, jealousy, hate and other negative self destructive emotions were also aspects of my disease that I was powerless over. Through working, and living the program to the best of my ability, a power greater than myself has done for me what I could not do for myself. It has lifted much of these feelings from me. The biggest miracle is that I don't wake up with a knot in my stomach any longer. I needed to drug that feeling for many many years and now it's gone. There are other examples of a power greater than my disease working in my life but that is one I continually look to because it was such a force in my life. God bless Narcotics Anonymous, I'll keep coming back.
I remember a meeting at the early days of my recovery...had a lot of my mind but didn´t have courage to speak about it.As I listened others i heard word by word what was on my mind, but what i was`t ready to speak out.It was a powerfull feeling and it gave me a lot of support.It helped me to stast open my soul and hearth in the meetings.As I was working my 1 and 2 step the higher power for me was the NA and the program.Now As I continue working and living by the program my understanding of a Higher Power is changing and i allow it to change and grow as it helpes me to grow and change to be a better person.It helpes me to face reality as it is and to stay clean. greatful to God and NA
i have had an awareness of a higher power but never was spiritual until i started in na i like to think i have grown alot since i still have some doubts but i do believe in god these days
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some of us win some of us lose with god and this program i will be a winner
