Fellowship 12

Alcoholics Anonymous Step 2.

^59:9 2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

The instructions for taking Step Two are found in the chapter We Agnostics, Page 47, Sentences 8-9:

 ^47:8"We needed to ask ourselves but one short question. ⁹“Do I now believe, or am I even willing to believe that there is a Power greater than myself?”

This is not difficult. If it is, we should reexamine Step One. We have tried every measure at our disposal to solve our problem. At this point we have admitted to ourselves that we are powerless over alcohol and that our lives are unmanageable. This admission helps to remove our resistance to this solution. Where else do we have to turn?

For now, all we need is willingness to believe. If the rest of the steps provide us the personal experience required to remove all doubt, all the better. If not, there is no additional harm done. Our admission of powerlessness provides us with the willingness to try.

Like us, Bill W. admitted that alcohol was his master (8:11). He became interested in this solution because he had to be, he was hopeless (10:1-3). Luckily for us, no blind leap of faith is necessary. For us, just as for Bill, it is only a matter of being willing to believe in a power greater than ourselves. Nothing more is required of us to make a beginning.” (12:14-15)

Let’s take a look at our situation. If our drinking is killing us and we are unable to abstain from drinking and medical opinion is that we are doomed.(xxx:21) If despite our best intentions and most sincere efforts we are losing, damaging or destroying everything worthwhile in life, our lives are clearly unmanageable. If we have tried everything we, those who care for us, and professional care givers can provide to no avail perhaps, we may be willing to give this solution a try.