12 Steps of AlAnon, a little rewritten for me (but I think these should be for everyone).
1. We admitted we were powerless over the things that consume our thoughts (conpulsive behaviors)-- that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to
sanity. Christ is greater than all of these things.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we
understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Still working on this.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature
of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make
amends to them all. Again, still working on this.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do
so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly
admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with
God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us
and the power to carry that out. Amen...
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to
carry this message to everyone, and to practice these principles in all our
lives each and every day.
as found and used from this site
And, this one incorporates scriptural references
I have been trying to write my own commentary on this for over an hour and a half. It's not going to happen tonight; it's kind of difficult. 12 Steps have always been appealing to me as a form of therapy and life "support". They are more than for recovering from substance abuse problems- they are for recovering from whatever consumes you in everyday life.I don't want to make light of this for people who use 12 Steps to make huge life changes, turn their life around, and are in major recovery. I am thinking on a basis of where we are at in our own lives. This is a serious program for making huge life changes. I do, however, think that we all have our thing, and none of us can be healthy mentally or physically on our own. We are powerless, and we need Christ. (Philippians 4:13)
What consumes your thoughts more than the important things in your life? What do you base your self-worth on? I wish we would talk about these things more. I know I'm not the only one, and I feel relatively normal. What do we let determine who we are?
2 comments:
Thanks Jen for opening your thoughts to us. I find those that post open, insightful blogs, that also aligh with the bible are usually servant leaders. I can see that in your life.
This strikes many chords with me, after attending 4, 12 step groups for addiction/grief/depression previously.
Sometimes when I read posts like this I think "12 steps again? I hate this stuff!" Other times I think "man I need to connect to a group again". Its the struggle within myself to see it as the "new age fad" or from the view point of the addicted men, who wanted to create a program from biblical principles to help themselves and others. I agree with you that with or without a group - God can change anyone.
I personally liked the group format, since it gave me a time to focus, connect, keep accountable to others and pray. Without this structure, I didn't have the self discipline to do all those on my own. I really think God provides the 12 steps as a tool - for those who are in serious need. And after attending those groups, I saw those that weren't serious or ready to see themselves in the mirror wouldn't stick around after step 4. It is hard and depressing though...but good..it is available to anyone too.
In reference to your comment on "people not talking about these things more". I can see that for our area. I noticed those who I do bring the "12 steps" up with, usually give me the "oh no you're one of those" look. And I don't blame them, I totally gave that look before I attended those groups! :) I do know tough from the women in my groups (CEO's, Dr.'s, students, pastor's wives,and day to day women) only people that have tried this program can truely understand & appreciate it. Some women (especially the older ones-surprisingly) really live clear lives and they continue to practice these principles from the bible. I admire these women & women who still practice biblical principles day to day that haven't done the 12 steps too.
wow...well this is WAY longer than the simple comment I expected to write :) Thanks for brining this up, it was helpful for me.
- Lisa :)
Arrggghgh....I wish we could TALK! I LOVE honesty...the gritty, dirty, shameful honesty that is SO LACKING in most fellowship circles. When you come home, girlfriend, we are going on a weekend getaway!
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