The only suggested guidelines are that this Power be loving, caring, and greater than ourselves. We dont have to be religious to accept this idea. The point is that we open our minds to believe.
Basic Text, p. 24
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In a lifelong process of coming to believe, our understanding of God will change. The understanding we have when new in recovery will not be the same when we have a few months clean, nor will that understanding be the same when we have a few years clean.
Our initial understanding of a Power greater than ourselves will most likely be limited. That Power will keep us clean but, we may think, nothing more. We may hesitate to pray because we have placed conditions on what we will ask our Higher Power to do for us. Oh, this stuff is so awful, even God couldnt do anything, we might say, or Gods got a lot of people to take care of. Theres no time for me.
But, as we grow in recovery, so will our understanding. Well begin to see that the only limits to Gods love and grace are those we impose by refusing to step out of the way. The loving God we come to believe in is infinite, and the power and love we find in our belief is shared by nearly every recovering addict around the world.
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Just for today: The God I am coming to understand has a limitless capacity for love and care. I will trust that my God is bigger than any problem I may have.
I had no working concept of a higher power when I came into NA. The first important lesson I learned is that I'm not it! I need to be open to a power outside of myself.
The biggest miracle in my life is the gift of choosing a Higher power of MY understanding. What a brilliant concept!!. I have heard it said that the greatest spiritual idea of the 20th century was the 12 steps. I absolutely believe that. The God of my understanding....belief really, i don't even attempt to understand....anyway...My God is all loving, all caring, all protecting, and always available. All i ever need to is seek Him and he is there. How blessed is my life today!
From the time I was a small child my beliefs in God have remained the same.Through the years a relationship of love and caring has replaced the guilt and punitive relationship I once entertained. Focusing my life on my Higher Power first in all things and practicing spiritual principles has allowed me to "live" for God and in turn try and extend the love to those around me as I feel my God would ask of me.Whatever the concept of God is for anyone I truly believe"with God all things are possible"
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
