Step 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Step 5: Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Without doubt, the 4th and 5th Steps of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) are intimidating landmarks in one’s recovery process. This definitive work allows God to demolish the schemes of addiction and denial. Unfortunately, it is here that many people relapse — stumbling into landmines of shame, guilt, and remorse — they become overwhelmed by fear and doubt, crippling one’s recovery.
Facing one’s wrongs is not meant to be done alone. It takes effort and effectiveness to connect the dots and make sense of it all. Without personal direction and encouragement, it is easy to drift off course and lay in ruins.
Not knowing what to do, some people try to comfort their pain by the very methods that caused it. That’s why addiction is called “insanity,” which AA describes as, doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Deep inside they know their addiction is killing them — drinking, drugs, sex, gambling, pornography or whatever — doesn’t work. Yet they feel shamefully trapped and alone in these critical steps of recovery, and many relapse into despair.
We must constantly remind ourselves that God is ready and willing to forgive us of everything we’ve ever done. Only God can remove our character defects. This is where we “Hand our lives and our will over to a Power greater than ourselves,” and seek the help needed to accomplish self-forgiveness in the process. This comes by hard work and confidential, experienced ministry, such as offered by House of Seven Pillars.
God cares about you and your successful recovery.
If the Holy Spirit is impressing you to take the next step, and you know it, call Tom at 763-227-3431 for a confidential discussion.
Blessings to you on your journey.
Tom Berscheid