Topic for thought

Today we start the second of the last three steps. Having completed the first nine steps we are now in a much healthier place and in order to maintain our recovery we simply need to apply Steps 10, 11 and 12. Step 11 is all about deepening our relationship with God, discerning his will in our lives and, most importantly, receiving his power to live the life that both He and we deep down want to live.

The Issue

The purpose of Step 11 is to help us see how building a relationship with God is essential for our recovery to be complete and this close relationship is built on communication. Just as in our day-to-day lives communication isn’t a one-way street, so our relationship with God is a two-way thing. Just talking to God through prayer is not enough. Just reading the bible is not enough. God wants to hear from us and he wants us to hear from Him. So we pray AND read AND, in meditation, listen to Him.

The Goals

On completion of Step 11 we should be able to...

• Understand that complete recovery is possible

• Understand that putting God first is imperative if my life is to work properly

• Understand I also have to stick with the programme

• Understand the importance of accountability

• Understand the importance of a community who will support me at all times

• Understand that as a spiritual being I am in a spiritual battle and the devil wants me to fall and run away from God

• Understand that God is always there for me in the good times AND the bad

• Understand that God’s love for me is unconditional. Whether I am good or whether I am bad, God loves me and is for me!