Ep. 8 Step study 12&12 - Facing the Boogeyman: How Step Four Lights the Way

Hey friend — welcome to Episode 8 of A Shot Glass of Recovery. We pick up in the 12&12 (page 48) and dive into Step Four: the fearless moral inventory. Lisa and the group keep it real — this is where we stop blaming everyone else, shine a flashlight on our own defects, and start doing the work that actually changes our lives.

We talk about the “self-imposed crisis” that got many of us here, and how Step Four teaches accountability: acceptance, setting boundaries, and taking responsibility for our side of the street. The reading walks through the old language (sin, immorality) and then translates it into what matters today — ego and fear, the seven human failings (the Paggles: pride, anger, greed, gluttony, lust, envy, sloth), and how those instincts gone astray fed our drinking.

If the idea of this inventory makes you freeze, you’re not alone. The group shares remind us that fear is just the boogeyman — once you bring willingness, shine the light, and put pen to paper (or set a short deadline like two weeks), relief shows up fast. Sponsors are there to guide, edit and hold your hand through the messy parts — you don’t have to be perfect, you just have to show up and be honest.

Listeners hear real examples: from parking-lot rants to the long list of petty resentments, and how the fourth step opened the door to emotional sobriety. The payoff is concrete — less anxiety, fewer resentments, new confidence, contentment, and practical tools (prayer/meditation, pausing before you react, daily spot checks with the four columns, and working Steps 10–12).

If you’re curious or terrified about Step Four, know this: it’s a beginning, not a punishment. It’s the gateway to a rebuilt life on bedrock, not quicksand. Tune in, bring willingness, grab your sponsor, and try it — the first fruits (peace, relief, a clearer sense of self) are worth it. See you next week as we keep finishing Step Four.