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The Twelve Steps:
A Guide for Living Faithfully
This is the twelth in a series of short essays by members of the
Faith Partners ministry at House of Hope on the Twelve
Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, how they serve as the basis
for recovery from many addictions, and their application to
people of faith.
The 12th Step of Alcoholics Anonymous is: "Having had a spiritual awakening, as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry the message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
"It is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
If you are working a 12-Step program, you have surrendered your notion of personal control of your life and you have turned your life and will over to God. For many of us, this act of surrender is a daily, sometimes hourly, decision because the human desire to control is immensely powerful. Even when control is a myth.
When I turn my life and will over to God, my higher self-Christ in me-is the director. I trust that all will be well, regardless of the upsets, challenges, and surprises of human life. God will not fail me.
Step 12 is all about reflecting my higher self by helping others, giving service and practicing the principles of the 12 Steps in my daily life. I won't do this perfectly, but-with God's help-I will make my best effort. Every day.
These 12 Step principles apply directly to recovery from addiction, but they are equally valuable in every aspect of life. They are a wise guide for living for anyone who desires a principled, spiritual life.
The founders and writers of the 12 Steps and the program of Alcoholics Anonymous were recovering alcoholics themselves. They knew how important it was to take their message to still-suffering alcoholics and they started this tradition of 12th Step service 70 years ago.
Those of us who have found recovery are God's walking miracles. We have a desire-and a responsibility-to carry the message of recovery to others. For some, this means volunteering at a detox unit. For others, it is telling their stories at treatment centers and AA meetings. For some, it is serving in a church ministry, such as Faith Partners at House of Hope.
"Give..and it will be given to you." Luke 6:38
—Carol Pine
House of Hope Faith Partners Team Ministry
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