Step Two
Step 2: I came to believe that a Power greater than myself could restore me to sanity.
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In order to understand the second step of recovery, I think it's important to realize that the second step does not necessarily refer to sanity as it pertains to mental health. Indeed the obvious distinction of the restoration of mental sanity can be drawn here. The standard definition of insanity can be applied appropriately to addictive behavior as addiction can become a repetition of a behavior with the expectation of a different result. However, most times an addict continues using with the intention of achieving the same results he had in prior instances, thus nullifying the relevance of addressing mental sanity in the second step.
In actuality, the original intention behind the second step is to focus on a restoration of wholeness. In referring to sanity in this step, there is the intention to address the significant incompleteness of the individual engaging in addictive behavior. While counseling at Bridgeway I speak with the clients about their addiction as a symptom of a deeper and more significant problem. Indeed addiction is the most obvious symptom of a spiritual deficiency. The addict relies upon his own behaviors and his own ability to self-medicate for the avoidance of pain. Unresolved personal relationships play a great role in the perpetuation of addiction.
With the recognition of the addiction as being a sign that points to more profound underlying issues, the addict is then able to realize that he needs a power greater than himself to deliver him from the ditch he has dug for himself. This power is able to restore him to sanity (wholeness/completeness). For my part, I am certain that the only power that is able to restore anyone to sanity is Jesus Christ. No other thing or person in heaven or earth has the power to fulfill this task. However, God is the One who first created and thus is also the One who is able to make all things new again. This is the very responsibility that Jesus took upon himself through his death and resurrection. You could say that Jesus burdened himself with our insanity in order to provide for the restoration of sanity to those who believe.
Any attempt to place trust in any other higher power will surely fail. There is a difference between sobriety and recovery. Sobriety is often frustrated and tense as it relies upon the strength of human will. Recovery is blessed with joy and peace as it relies upon the will of our Father in heaven.
As an account of my personal walk through the Twelve Steps I will state the following: Until recently I did not have a complete understanding of hope. As I prayerfully have pursued God through these steps I came to realize that I hadn't ever felt hopeless in my life. Before I became a committed follower of Jesus Christ, I thought I was a follower of Jesus Christ. The feelings of hopelessness associated with an eternal separation from God had never registered in my mind because I was always convinced that I was going to heaven. As I sat with my friend Matt and discussed the second step over some cups of coffee, (yes, multiple cups of coffee) I came to understand that feelings of despair and uncertainty within my heart and mind concerning my future have been related to a form of circumstantial hopelessness. My hopeless tendencies are related to my fears concerning anxiety over finding someone to share my life with, somewhere to put down roots and start a career, and some way to fulfill the calling that God has placed on my life as a minister of His Gospel. In each of these situations I have battled the deep-seated fear that I will never be able to experience the joys associated with them. I have the fear that I am not enough or that I have missed my opportunity or that God has decided to withdraw His blessing.
This is a hopelessness. And in the realization of this hopelessness, I rejoice.
Yes! I rejoice!
Because I can now turn to God and see the hope that resides in His being and His Word.
I may not be enough, but God is more than enough.
He is my hope.
I may have missed opportunities, but God's plans are never thwarted. He will bring new opportunities.
I indeed have sinned and perceived distance between me and God, but He is always with me and has the power to restore me to completeness... sanity.
---------------------------------------------------
In order to understand the second step of recovery, I think it's important to realize that the second step does not necessarily refer to sanity as it pertains to mental health. Indeed the obvious distinction of the restoration of mental sanity can be drawn here. The standard definition of insanity can be applied appropriately to addictive behavior as addiction can become a repetition of a behavior with the expectation of a different result. However, most times an addict continues using with the intention of achieving the same results he had in prior instances, thus nullifying the relevance of addressing mental sanity in the second step.
In actuality, the original intention behind the second step is to focus on a restoration of wholeness. In referring to sanity in this step, there is the intention to address the significant incompleteness of the individual engaging in addictive behavior. While counseling at Bridgeway I speak with the clients about their addiction as a symptom of a deeper and more significant problem. Indeed addiction is the most obvious symptom of a spiritual deficiency. The addict relies upon his own behaviors and his own ability to self-medicate for the avoidance of pain. Unresolved personal relationships play a great role in the perpetuation of addiction.
With the recognition of the addiction as being a sign that points to more profound underlying issues, the addict is then able to realize that he needs a power greater than himself to deliver him from the ditch he has dug for himself. This power is able to restore him to sanity (wholeness/completeness). For my part, I am certain that the only power that is able to restore anyone to sanity is Jesus Christ. No other thing or person in heaven or earth has the power to fulfill this task. However, God is the One who first created and thus is also the One who is able to make all things new again. This is the very responsibility that Jesus took upon himself through his death and resurrection. You could say that Jesus burdened himself with our insanity in order to provide for the restoration of sanity to those who believe.
Any attempt to place trust in any other higher power will surely fail. There is a difference between sobriety and recovery. Sobriety is often frustrated and tense as it relies upon the strength of human will. Recovery is blessed with joy and peace as it relies upon the will of our Father in heaven.
As an account of my personal walk through the Twelve Steps I will state the following: Until recently I did not have a complete understanding of hope. As I prayerfully have pursued God through these steps I came to realize that I hadn't ever felt hopeless in my life. Before I became a committed follower of Jesus Christ, I thought I was a follower of Jesus Christ. The feelings of hopelessness associated with an eternal separation from God had never registered in my mind because I was always convinced that I was going to heaven. As I sat with my friend Matt and discussed the second step over some cups of coffee, (yes, multiple cups of coffee) I came to understand that feelings of despair and uncertainty within my heart and mind concerning my future have been related to a form of circumstantial hopelessness. My hopeless tendencies are related to my fears concerning anxiety over finding someone to share my life with, somewhere to put down roots and start a career, and some way to fulfill the calling that God has placed on my life as a minister of His Gospel. In each of these situations I have battled the deep-seated fear that I will never be able to experience the joys associated with them. I have the fear that I am not enough or that I have missed my opportunity or that God has decided to withdraw His blessing.
This is a hopelessness. And in the realization of this hopelessness, I rejoice.
Yes! I rejoice!
Because I can now turn to God and see the hope that resides in His being and His Word.
I may not be enough, but God is more than enough.
He is my hope.
I may have missed opportunities, but God's plans are never thwarted. He will bring new opportunities.
I indeed have sinned and perceived distance between me and God, but He is always with me and has the power to restore me to completeness... sanity.
posted by Gregg @ 1:00 PM
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