I don’t know where all of this came from, but today I was thinking about the word disappointment. When it popped up I suddenly remembered something I was reading last night. Faith. And it could also lead to thoughts about hope.
One of the things I learned in here from my sponsor and others was to grow along lines in faith. To strengthen my belief in my Higher Power and come to depend upon him. After all that’s how my sobriety began. It was a gift from my Higher Power. And that was dependent on the gift of hope I was given, which led me to finally ask for help from the God of my understanding.
What I was thinking about was the effect of disappointment could have on my faith. It definitely could begin to weaken my faith and definitely begin to make hope disappear. And then where would I be with my staying sober? I would begin to lose the strength I attained from my Higher Power. I’d probably find myself walking the other way.
Disappointments are so easy to come by. Losing a job is one. Losing a loved one. Losing money. Losing something we had hoped for. And the list can go on. All of this can get in the way of our day in sobriety. Not something to take lightly.
I know from experiences I have had and that of others, who have shared with me, that these can lead to emotional troubles. Anger, resentments, worry, anxiety, and on and on. And sometimes to a drink. Like I said, I have seen this happen.
And that’s where meetings and sharing with others comes to the surface for someone like me. I know that I cannot stay sober by myself. My old sponsor helped me so much in getting through these bumps on this road to sobriety. One of those was learning to get out of myself and to help others, rather than sit and stew over whatever it is. I learned from my sponsor and those old timers the truth to the saying “This too shall pass”.
I also learned to try to get out of my own way and ask my Higher Power for the strength I did not have to deal with things which might pull me down into the dumps and darkness within. I have hit these before and got help from my Higher Power and friends in here.
Anyway I had to stop today and think about these things. It reminded me of why I am here. To stay sober and to continue to grow along spiritual lines. That’s what I need to remember. And to be grateful for all the changes I have been able to go through. I know that I’m not done. There’s more ahead of me. That too I learned from my sponsor and others. Their experience, strength, and hope which they handed to me.