An Overview of Step Two
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Now, if we have become willing to admit to our innermost self that we were alcoholic and as a consequence of our disease our lives were unmanageable, we have completed Step 1. We have admitted that we are powerless over our addiction, now we must find a Power in which we can trust will return sanity to our lives. For many addicts this can be a tough step.
Step Two brings forth the first mention of the spiritual foundation upon which this program was built. Often, the idea of spirituality is confused with religion. When a newcomer hears the word God, or Higher Power it can be unsettling and a deterrent from the program. The beautiful thing about this step and those that follow, is we get to choose our own concept of a Higher Power. This conception does not have to be the same as anyone else’s. The most important part of Step Two is believing in something greater than yourself.
For some, experiencing a Higher Power may begin with that of the people in the rooms. This is often referred to as G.O.D. (Group of Drunks, or Good Orderly Direction). Others look at nature and all of its beauty as their Higher Power. And there are those for which God has always been a part of their lives and they can easily connect with a Higher Power.
Whether Atheist, Agnostic, or full of faith already, recovery is possible for all.
No matter what we decide our Higher Power to be we have to know that it can no longer be us. For too long we relied on ourselves. We thought that we could get “Us” out of the situations we often found ourselves in to no avail. When we begin to look at something other than ourselves for the answers, our climb from the bottom can commence.
If we are able to find the willingness and open-mindedness to adopt our own conception of a Power greater than ourselves, our spiritual roots can begin to take hold. From here the burden we place on ourselves to always find a way out can begin to be removed. We find ourselves more open to ask for help. A sense of freedom begins to settle within us. We gain our first glimpse of the spiritual nature of this program and the beauty it holds.
If we find ourselves at this point we have one question we must ask. “Do I now believe, or am I even willing to believe that there is a Power greater than myself?” If we can answer this question honestly with “yes”, than we have taken Step Two. We have now planted the spiritual seed and as we continue our journey we will have the pleasure of watching it grow.
