The Times That Try Mens Souls
Is the title of a famous work/quote and has also woven itself into the fabric of our lives in sobriety.
I’ve seen them lately at JJ’s and at Mary Christine’s.
I’ve known them in my personal life again and again…
The Big Book offered me an answer. When it was the Third Edition, “Doctor, Addict, and Alcoholic” was a powerful story. Today “Acceptance Was The Answer” is no less powerful.
“If I focus on a problem, the problem increases; if I focus on the answer, the answer increases.”
I can keep my glasses on backwards or not.
What is the answer to live in when you’ve helped someone who, later, turns into someone intent on harming you beyond your imagination? How about those you’ve loved who spew half-truths to your friends behind your back? What about those we love who seem intent on reaching their death, which hurts us immensely? What principle works when I’ve been violated by those I’ve cared about?
2, 3, and 11.
Second Step - “A power greater than ourselves could restore them to sanity.”
Third Step - Turn our will and our lives over to the care of God.”
Eleventh Step - “Praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.”
Oh - and I might just be powerless too… ;-)
Tags: 11th-step, 2nd-step, 3rd-step, RecoveryRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Experience, Strength and Hope, Second Step, The Eleventh Step, The Third Step
2 opinions for The Times That Try Mens Souls
Gwen
Aug 15, 2006 at 7:10 pm
I have been there. I had to walk with the truth. I had to practice the principles. I had to Pray Hard. I had to talk to my sponsor ALOT. I had to seek to understand. In the end I grew. In the end I could sleep at night. In the end I like who I am and how I have conducted myself. In the end my side of the street is clean. In the end I know they are very sick.
markw
Aug 16, 2006 at 7:32 am
You and I certainly have walked in the same shoes (and still do :-))
Thanks Gwen…
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