WRITTEN ARTICLES ABOUT RECOVERY AND THE AA PROGRAM
Dr. Mike, in these essays, discusses different aspects of recovery including discussion of the steps and principles outlined in the big book. He also looks at topics commonly discussed in the fellowship and how he sees them applied to his own recovery.
In the posts below, Dr. Mike gives his thoughts on different topics related to recovery. Comments and discussion are welcome.
Thought on Recovery – No. 43 – Step 4 – Fear – The Great Promise
” Just to the extent that we do as we think He would have us, and humbly rely on Him, does He enable us to match calamity with serenity”- Page 68 in the big book. This powerful sentence was what I saw in my mind while holding the phone listening to the news my son had died. I believe this thought came from God. It is in the few paragraphs…
Read MoreThoughts on Recovery – No. 42 – Step 4 – Fear – We are in the World to play the role God assigns – Page 68
After telling me I need to trust God not my finite self there is a powerful statement of instruction. “We are in the world to play the role God assigns.” Wow. My assignment is to only play the role God has assigned me. Sounds very simple but is not easy. First I must know what is my role. I think they are not talking only about my actions but my…
Read MoreThoughts on Recovery – No. 41 – Step 4 – Fear – A Different Basis Relying and Trusting in God – Page 68
The instructions on fear are basically 2 paragraphs on page 68. They have changed my life. In this thought I will look at the first 3 sentences of the second paragraph on page 68. In the previous thought I focused on self centered fear and the effect it had on my life. It was an evil and corroding thread that destroyed the tapestry of my life. Self centered fear was…
Read MoreThoughts on Recovery – No. 40 – Step 4 – Fear – The Water I Swam In
The next several thoughts will look at the second manifestation of self, fear , which we inventory in step 4. The instructions are on pages 67-8. They point out that fear is bracketed alongside all the resentment examples on page 65. For me all my resentments were triggered by self centered fear. When I looked at my conduct inventory the actions I took that harmed others were almost always triggered…
Read MoreThoughts on Recovery – No. 39 – Step 4 – Resentment Inventory – Seeing the Truth
In the previous episodes on step 4 we looked at what are called the first 3 columns. I have reviewed and considered the first 3 columns. Hopefully the prayers on page 67 have produced a change in attitude to those on the list and the process of forgiveness has begun. My emotions should be changed from negative to positive. I am ready to see the exact nature of my wrong…
Read MoreThoughts on Recovery – No. 38 – Step 4 – Resentment Inventory – Freedom from Anger
This info on step 4 resentment on pages 66-7 has given me freedom from the bondage of anger. I reviewed how considering the first three columns gave me truth about my anger. They tell me now that this list of resentments holds the key to my future! Do you think they really mean the key to my future? If I am going to live I must be free of anger!…
Read MoreThoughts on Recovery – No. 37 -Step 4 – Resentments – Careful consideration of the first 3 columns
The authors suggest that I carefully consider the information contained in the first three columns. It is apparent how much anger or resentment I had as a result of a life run on self will. They suggest that the alcoholic only sees how others are wrong. We would only see how others had wronged us and justify our feelings. We blamed others. When I did the resentment inventory this became…
Read MoreThoughts on Recovery – No. 36 – Step 4 – Resentment – the first 3 columns
In the fourth step we inventory 3 things. They are resentment, fear, and sex. Resentment for me is anger, irritation, strong negative feelings for someone or something. The inventory is written. They instruct us to put down on paper those with whom we were angry. Why are we looking at resentment? As mentioned in the last thoughts resentment is a manifestation of a life run on self will. Resentments block…
Read MoreThoughts on Recovery – No. 35 – Step 4 – Self-will and how it relates to Step 4
Before I get into the specifics of step 4 I want to look at what is self-will . Why? Step 4 is where I take a truthful inventory of myself. It is a process to look at my thinking based on a life based on self will rather than God’s will. We are supposed to take stock of our life. The first thing they suggest is I search out the…
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