My Experience, Strength and Hope

[madison1101]

I have observed some debating, and tried to reply, but for some reason it got deleted, or disappeared. When I first started coming to AA, I was encouraged to share my experience, strength and hope.

Someone here said that they had not seen the cross mentioned in a thread. I do not need to mention the cross in sharing here, because my Jesus comes out of my sharing because the Holy Spirit is at work here. When I surrendered myself to the Lord in rehab in January, I gave everything to Him, and begged Him to make me teachable, openminded and willing to learn and change.

When I encourage someone to attend AA meetings, I am helping them find the solution to their drinking problem. My belief is that if a person is still drinking, they are not going to find a cross, or any other Christian message, and they are not going to get sober by simply telling them to go to the cross.

I tried the cross alone, and relapsed and spent years drinking. I need people in AA, and I need the guidance I get from the 12 steps, which take ME to the cross. I came to believe that a POWER GREATER THAN ME could restore me to sanity. That power is in the cross of Christ. I first had to realize I had a problem, and a need for that power to get sober. I can't do the second stop until I have done the first step.

In the meantime, I am sober 93 days, and I am working my program, making my phone calls, and attending my meetings. Making my phone calls and going to meetings helps me break the isolation I tend to do when I am tempted to stray from the program, and eventually drink. Making meetings helps me meet new people that are in the same situation as me, alcoholic and needing help.

 

[Hupomone10]

Congratulations on 93

Keep doing what works. I will return in a few days and share some of my experience, strength and hope. It has been a little different path; but it won't be contradictory, much of it complimentary, and maybe just something that someone needs.

In Christ,
Hupomone10

 

[sk8Joyful]

When I surrendered myself to the Lord in rehab in January,
I gave everything to Him, and
begged Him to make me teachable, openminded and willing to learn and change.

When I encourage someone to attend AA meetings,
I am helping them find the solution to their drinking problem. My belief is that

In the meantime, I am sober 93 days

Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you the same person
who told me yesterday, in another CF-forum, that
you are a "professional" counselor working with clients ??

Just wondering.
------------------
Usually, when I've worked with people, what STOPS, or causes them to de-rail, we first clear-out & heal...

(All done with no AA-mtgs. ever); and with this freedom, they have the Emotional & Physical-energies to work on their REAL-life goals,
the achievement of which blesses them with peace, Joy, & good health generally...

You might want to explore these God-blessed healing-ways. Take Care!

 

[madison1101]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you the same person
who told me yesterday, in another CF-forum, that
you are a "professional" counselor working with clients ??

Just wondering.
------------------
Usually, when I've worked with people, what STOPS, or causes them to de-rail, we first clear-out & heal...

(All done with no AA-mtgs. ever); and with this freedom, they have the Emotional & Physical-energies to work on their REAL-life goals,
the achievement of which blesses them with peace, Joy, & good health generally...

I am a licensed social worker, and previously worked in a psychiatric hospital with patients. I have resigned from that work, and hope to return to it someday.

I posted my experience, strength and hope because I shared what I am learning about myself from my participation in AA. Some people can do it without AA. Many cannot. Neither is better. It takes what it takes, and one should not judge another if they need AA. Just as one should not judge if someone is successful without AA.

I believe it takes what it takes for a person to get off alcohol, and for me, I need AA. I won't encourage someone to take a path I have not tried, and I won't try life without AA again, because I tried it without AA, and relapsed terribly.

 

[BobW188]

Thanks, sk8Joyful; but I'll stick to what's worked for me for 26 years; and for tens of millions since 1935. And looking at my "real life" I see no reason to yield to anyone in enjoying peace, joy and good health.

Keep it up, Trish. and don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[Hupomone10]

I was brought to recovery, now 2.5 yrs +, through support of AA, support of pastor, family (some family) and friends, of discipleship/accountability partners, and the scriptures.

AA revealed to me something I either hadn't learned in church or had forgotten: that we are essentially powerless over certain things in our lives. Without that revelation - that I was powerless NOW over alcohol and alcoholism - I would not have recovered. Prior to this, I would have thought "powerless over alcohol" was a cop-out. I now know it is facing reality and trusting in God to do what I in my own strength, self-effort, will-power, can't. It was a starting point.

Without that realization I just would have continued to stay off alcohol a while, feel better, conclude I could drink normally again, and be on a binge again. Tried that multiple times.

 

[madison1101]

I was brought to recovery, now 2.5 yrs +, through support of AA, support of pastor, family (some family) and friends, of discipleship/accountability partners, and the scriptures.

AA revealed to me something I either hadn't learned in church or had forgotten: that we are essentially powerless over certain things in our lives. Without that revelation - that I was powerless NOW over alcohol and alcoholism - I would not have recovered. Prior to this, I would have thought "powerless over alcohol" was a cop-out. I now know it is facing reality and trusting in God to do what I in my own strength, self-effort, will-power, can't. It was a starting point.

Without that realization I just would have continued to stay off alcohol a while, feel better, conclude I could drink normally again, and be on a binge again. Tried that multiple times.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Powerlessness is certainly not a cop-out. It is being honest about myself, and alcohol. Powerlessness means to me that once I start, I cannot stop, and unmanageability means that when I drink, bad things happen.

It takes a brave person to admit powerlessness over alcohol, and I am one who had denial that was thick. My last relapse was one where I was not going to drink, but was given a prescription of pain meds for legitimate pain, and I honestly thought I could handle it, because I had successfully dealt with that pain med before, after surgery. This time, I lost control after a week, and was abusing it, and drinking and out of control within three weeks of the pain med.

Getting honest with myself has been such a learning experience.

Thanks for your support here.

Trish

 

[sk8Joyful]

Thanks, sk8Joyful;

but I'll stick to what's worked for me for 26 years.
And looking at my "real life", I see no reason to yield to anyone in enjoying peace, joy and good health.

Hi Bob,
Congratulations!

GREAT! that for 26 yrs., from alcohol-poisoning , you have chosen to stay-AWAY
and
certainly as an outcome your Health can/does improve...

Congratulations! - also on enjoying in-God-*peace*.
---
(Personally, 'tasted' an alcoholic-drink less than a 10x in 50 yrs.; but
that Bitter-taste was not only obnoxious!,
why would anyone prematurely pickle themselves, makes absolutely no sense.)

Besides, GOD intended us to wholeheartedly LOVE LIFE, & continue joyfully... busy

God Bless!! you!

 

[BobW188]

Wish I'd found that bitter taste obnoxious! But I think God knew that on the road I walked (or staggered) I'd learn lessons I'd learn no other way.

Many thanks, Friend.

 

[madison1101]

Wish I'd found that bitter taste obnoxious! But I think God knew that on the road I walked (or staggered) I'd learn lessons I'd learn no other way.

Many thanks, Friend.

I have also found that there are lessons I have had to learn, and would not have learned had it not been for rehab, or AA. The 4th step has shown me where I have been bitter and resentful. In rehab I learned about my arrogance, and unwillingness to be openminded.

I have also made some wonderful friends I would not have met if I were not in recovery.

God does not waste anything. He uses my alcoholism to give me lessons and gifts I would not have otherwise.

 

[Hupomone10]

I have also found that there are lessons I have had to learn, and would not have learned had it not been for rehab, or AA. The 4th step has shown me where I have been bitter and resentful. In rehab I learned about my arrogance, and unwillingness to be openminded. I have also made some wonderful friends I would not have met if I were not in recovery.God does not waste anything. He uses my alcoholism to give me lessons and gifts I would not have otherwise.

I couldn't have said it better, madison.