The right to a God of your understanding is total and without any catches. Because we have this right, it is necessary to be honest about our belief if we are to grow spiritually.
Basic Text, pp. 25-26
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In meetings, over refreshments, in talks with our sponsor, we hear our NA friends talking about the way they understand their Higher Power. It would be easy to go with the flow, adopting someone elses beliefs. But just as no one else can recover for us, so no one elses spirituality can substitute for our own. We must honestly search for an understanding of God that truly works for us.
Many of us begin that search with prayer and meditation, and continue with our experiences in recovery. Have there been instances where we have been given power beyond our own to face lifes challenges? When we have quietly sought direction in times of trouble, have we found it? What kind of Power do we believe has guided and strengthened us? What kind of Power do we seek? With the answers to these questions, we will understand our Higher Power well enough to feel safe and confident about asking it to care for our will and lives.
A borrowed understanding of God may do on a short haul. But in the long run, we must come to our own understanding of a Higher Power, for it is that Power which will carry us through our recovery.
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Just for today: I seek a Power greater than myself that can help me grow spiritually. Today, I will examine my beliefs honestly and come to my own understanding of God.
-- Edited by Dave R on Friday 15th of February 2013 06:33:48 AM
This is the heart of all twelve step programs IMHO. The freedom to search for my own personal spiritual center has proven to be one of the most powerful gifts I have ever received.
It took me many years to form a loving relationship with the same God I have always had. I drifted very far away from my early indoctrination but was never left forsaken. It is always and each day, to the best of my ability ,to put the God of my understanding first above all things. 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.