The biggest way we counsel those who doubt the relevance of Recovery is by how we live our lives. This includes those of us in Recovery and people who support us. How we live our lives is our expression of hope and commitment to healing. I facilitate a Virtual Peer Support Group on Thursday evenings from 6 to 7:00 p.m. https://superhumanbeing.net/thursday-zoom-event/. I participate as a member by sharing how Recovery is going for me and learn from the topic we are covering. This gives people a look behind the mirror of my Recovery and life.
How do we live a life of hope? Pam Sininek, in her talk about Pilgramage of Hope, says, “Be ready to answer these questions when we are asked. How do you stay so patient in times of trouble? How do you still have a smile on your face despite having a horrible week? What would you say to these questions? Most of us would say God and our faith.”
The 12-steps encourage us to counsel those unsure about their desire to Recover and to be kind with them. A theme I often hear in the support groups I participate in is how much Recoverees appreciate the nonjudgmental culture of the group. When we interact with each other, whether we are in active Recovery or supporting a person in Recovery, we refrain from judging the doubtful person and lend our heart to their healing journey.
Love is the second word of mercy, so we want to be loving. Pam Sininek says, “It may be tempting to say, I can’t believe you don’t believe this or I can’t believe you have doubts or I can’t believe you don’t come to church (support group). Remember to be loving and merciful with this spiritual act of mercy.”
Think about ourselves or a person we care about who had doubts. Do we see it as an act of Recovery to counsel them and show compassion toward ourselves? What was the feeling like? Would we be able to make changes in our lives to rectify our doubts or the doubts of another person?
Pam says, “It is important to think of these moments so we are prepared when the moment comes again.”
This practice of counseling the doubtful fits with the twelfth step #12. “We gain insight into our recovery through our Higher Power as we model these steps and share our journey toward hope, healing, and health with people.”
The next spiritual work of mercy is sharing knowledge, which will be part #11 in our series “Professing, Seeking, and Nurturing Hope” in our lives.
SuperHuman Being
Peace
Larry
email: ljw@superhumanbeing
website: https://superhumanbeing.net/