I am new to the program and am working on recovery...one day at a time. I have seen subtle changes come about already.
My husband got laid off from his job yesterday. I have been unemployed since early July. We are being swallowed by debt. I pray for faith, courage and strength. I spoke with my sponsor today and told her that I am feeling very anxious and worried and she replied "worry is the absence of faith." I understand what she means but how can I NOT worry.....???? Yes, I have faith that things will eventually turn around but don't you think it's 'normal' to worry?
Pray for guidance, do everything you can do, leave the results up to your Higher Power. I agree with your sponsor worry is a lack of faith, and it's wasted energy. And results may not come as fast or be what we think we want, yet turn out to be what we need. That said growth and recovery is baby steps and usually takes time. Peace and serenity through a conscious contact with a Higher Power doesn't necessarily happen over night!
Hang in there. Keep putting one foot in front of another. Keep focused on your recovery while learning to deal with living. Try not to worry by focusing on other things instead of the problems, read something uplifting be it NA literature or something else. Take a walk and see, really see the beauty around you. Take a look around and see people more unfortunate than you to help put your challenges in perspective.
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Work the Steps or Die MF. (My Friend :) Clean One Day At a Time by The Grace of God through The Power of NA
No one has perfect faith. Everyone worries about things from time to time-that's just part of being human. As I work on building me faith, and turning things over to my higher power, I worry less. When I catch myself worrying, I try to pray about it and turn it over.
Your sponsor is technically correct. If one had complete and absolute faith then of course their would be no worries. I worry sometimes and I really don't know anyone who doesn't. the real question is "what do you do about it"? I used to worry so much it made me ill. Seriously. Worry ruined my health. Now when I start to worry, as soon as I recognize it, I pray. Prayer has gotten me through alot of tough times. You see Worry doesn't accomplish anything. It just keeps us in fear. If faith is the antidote to fear, which it is, then prayer in times of worry is a logical activity. It has worked for me. The other thing I do, is call my sponsor. He works a very spiritual program. He also knows me well enough to know how to calm me down, and re-focus me toward spirituality and away from fear (worry is fear right?). Anyway, that's what works for me. thanks for this post, please keep coming back.
I'm with Avid on this one. Worrying dosen't change anything it just upsets us. I try to separte from the emotion and just do what I can to change the situation with God showing us the way everything will be ok. Talking and writting about what's going on for me helps me to distance myself from the emotion.
