October 2: Spiritual Principle a Day, read by Sabina

Spiritual Principle a Day for October 2, read by Sabina

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October 2

Trust Is a Conscious Decision

"Even though we do not know how our lives will change as we work this step, we can learn to trust that our Higher Power will care for us better than we could."

—It Works, Step Three

––––=––––

As newcomers, many of us struggle with the aspects of twelve-step recovery that we don’t easily understand. Sure, spirituality is practical around here, but that doesn’t mean it’s straightforward. We describe our spiritual awakenings to newer members, but the explanations often make for more head-scratching. With most things in life—and count Step Three among these—we can’t know the outcome before having the experience. The meaning of our decision to turn our will over to a caring Higher Power is lost on many of us.

Instead of applying our brainpower, we need to nurture hope, faith, and trust.

Hearing about the changes in the lives of other addicts gives us something to go on as we begin to develop some trust in NA. We listen to other members talk about trusting in a Higher Power they don’t completely understand. We hear from people of faith, people who eschew religion, and everyone in between. According to one member, “Working Step Three is a decision to open a door. I may not know what’s on the other side, but I’ve gained a measure of trust in that decision because I know my life hasn’t fallen apart whenever I’ve cracked open that door.”

Trust is a conscious decision we put into action daily in some way or another by sidelining fear and taking a risk. We do our best, but some days acting as if we trust in a Higher Power is all we have to go on. Lots of us abide by a “fake it ’til ya make it” attitude. Along with faith, we take a leap of trust. Sometimes we fly; sometimes we flop. Growth can be a bruising process. We experience rejection or not getting what we’d planned for so carefully.

“Sometimes the gifts we receive in recovery come wrapped in dirt,” a member teased. But we’re okay because we’re learning to trust the process. We’ll turn it over again tomorrow.

––––=––––

Spiritual Principle:

I don’t have to rely on what I think I know because I am learning to trust. Whatever happens today, I’ll practice loosening my grip on results and muster some faith that I’ll be okay.

––––=––––

© NA World Services

This podcast is not affiliated with Narcotics Anonymous, and is an independent production of the Works of Wisdom

Episode Transcript

(00:03):
Welcome to the Voices of Recovery podcast.
This is your Spiritual Principleof the Day episode featuring a
recovering addict. Hi, my name is Sabina.

(00:24):
My clean date is September 9th, 2000.
You're listening to the Voices of Recovery podcast.
This is the spiritual principle of the day for October 2nd.
Trust is a conscious decision. Even though we do not know how
our lives will change as we workthis step, we can learn to trust

(00:48):
that our Higher Power will care for us better than we could.
It works. Step 3 As newcomers, many of us
struggle with the aspects of 12 step recovery that we don't
easily understand. Sure, spirituality is practical
around here, but that doesn't mean it's straightforward.

(01:11):
We describe our spiritual awakenings to newer members, but
the explanations often make for more head scratching.
With most things in life and count step three among these, We
can't know the outcome before having the experience.
The meaning of our decision to turn our will over to a caring

(01:31):
higher power is lost on many of us.
Instead of applying our brain power, we need to nurture hope,
faith and trust. Hearing about the changes in the
lives of other addicts gives us something to go on as we begin
to develop some trust in NA, We listen to other members talk

(01:53):
about trusting in a higher powerthey don't completely
understand. We hear from people of faith,
people who have skew religion, and everyone in between.
According to one member, workingStep 3 is a decision to open a
door. I may not know what's on the
other side, but I've gained a measure of trust in that

(02:16):
decision because I know my life hasn't fallen apart whenever
I've cracked open that door. Trust is a conscious decision we
put into action daily in some way or another by sidelining
fear and taking a risk. We do our best, but some days

(02:37):
acting as if we trust in a higher power is all we have to
go on. Lots of us abide by a fake it
till you make it attitude along with faith.
We take a leap of trust. Sometimes we fly, sometimes we
flop. Growth can be a bruising
process. We experience rejection.

(03:01):
We're not getting what we planned for so carefully.
Sometimes the gifts we receive in recovery come wrapped in
dirt. A member teased.
But we're OK because we're learning to trust the process.
We'll turn it over again tomorrow.
Spiritual principle. I don't have to rely on what I

(03:23):
think I know because I'm learning to trust.
Whatever happens Today, I'll practice loosening my grip on
results and muster some faith that I'll be OK.
The Voices of Recovery Podcast is an independent production of
the works of Wisdom. We welcome your questions and

(03:43):
donations via PayPal at [e-mail].
This podcast is an independent production and is not affiliated
with, associated with, authorized by, endorsed by, or
in any way officially connected with Narcotics Anonymous or any
of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
While any literature may be readduring episodes for the purpose

(04:04):
of supporting recovery, such usedoes not constitute an official
endorsement or representation byNarcotics Anonymous.
In accordance with any tradition, the NA name is not to
be used to endorse or be affiliated with any outside
enterprise, and no such endorsement or affiliation is
implied. Music is by Sage.
Thanks for listening to the Voices of Recovery podcast.