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Spiritual
There is a significant difference between a
spiritual person and a religious person. Recovery provides a sense of spirituality as a
result of working the 12 Steps. Working with individuals who lack any significant
understanding of God, Jesus Christ, a Higher Power, or a Power Greater than Themselves can
cause many problems for recovering people. It has been my experience that each person
finds their own spiritual values and strengths in this Program.
They will usually find it through various avenues
which can include: The group, reading spiritual books, church, and sponsorship. The
newcomer to recovery has made their first spiritual decision by stepping out of their
comfort zone and admitting they have a problem. See below for some meaningful links in
this area.
Questions & Answers
QUESTION: What does it mean when someone says, "My Higher Power" or a
"Power Greater than Myself"?
ANSWER: Each person in recovery has a different concept of what this means. We
agree and understand when we hear it. We spend little time exploring what anyone's concept
really is. I use a simple method to explain this to people. I show them a small car and
ask them if they could lift it alone. Of course, they say no. I ask them if I found four
other people would it then be possible for all of us to pick it up. This is a Power
Greater than Me. The Higher Power concept is based on the Big Book of
Alcoholics Anonymous for those individuals who struggle with the concept of God.
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