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Daily Reflections: False Pride

Here is the text from the Daily Reflection for July 19th, 2016:

Many of us who had thought ourselves religious awoke to the limitations of this attitude. Refusing to place God first, we had deprived ourselves of His help.
— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 75
Many false notions operate in false pride. The need for direction to live a decent life is satisfied by the hope experienced in the A.A. Fellowship. Those who have walked the way for years – a day at a time – say that a God-centered life has limitless possibilities for personal growth. This being so, much hope is transmitted by the elder A.A.s.
I thank my Higher Power for letting me know that He works through other people, and I thank Him for our trusted servants in the Fellowship who aid new members to reject their false ideals and to adopt those which lead to a life of compassion and trust. The elders in A.A. challenge the newcomers to "Come To" – so that they can "Come to Believe." I ask my Higher Power to help my unbelief.
I needed to read exactly this. I can't say I put God first in my life, then continue to feed my ego and my need for validation.  I have to wake up every morning and ask God to help me live today for my spirit; not my ego or my flesh.
The first time through AA I got about 5 months of sobriety before I stopped attending meetings.  I was able to stay sober for almost 2 years before my thinking turned sour and led me to a 4 hour drinking binge that crushed one of the most hopeful aspects of my life.  What I realize now is the truth of what is said in today's Daily Reflection: God works through others.  It has been my experience these last 4 months, just as it was the first time around, that when I am troubled, when I am asking God for answers, he speaks through people in meetings.  Someone will share their story, or just a response to whatever we read, and its shocking how directly they are answering the question I posed to God the night before or that morning.
Right now, all I know is I like going to these meetings. I like working the steps with my sponsor.  I'm excited and nervous to hit step 3 next week. I'm even more excited to see step 4 on the horizon.  I have hope that the things I am doing will make it possible to restore some friendships, but I'm learning that first and foremost I need to pray for God's will to take root in my life.
I can feel my sense of service-mindedness returning.  I am slowly regaining a sense of usefulness and uprooting the self-mindedness.

Comments

  1. UnknownJuly 19, 2016 at 7:15 PM

    Wow! What a great daily reflection! I've had a little time in this program now, and what I have come to learn is that my life can still be unmanageable at times despite the fact I no longer drink alcohol. There are moments when my pride block me from the sunshine of the spirit. My pride must be leveled on a daily basis and this is accomplished by turning over my will and my life over to the care of God as I understand him each and every day. There are times where a promotion opportunity comes open or there is an enticing job posting, and when it doesn't come through I find myself thinking, "why didn't I get it? I thought I deserved that job!" How foolish! My sole purpose in life is to accomplish two things on a daily basis: 1. Don't drink, 2. Help someone in need. That's it, plain and simple. I am the one who complicates my life, not my higher power, and this occurs when my alcoholic mind builds false pride. I deserve no "reward" for being sober. I did not say "God I will get sober, but you need to do this for me in return." Nope, that's not how this works! My higher power is in control now not me, and reminding myself of this is a daily task. When I go to meetings I am reminded that "for the grace of God, there go I." Good post my friend.

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