The Power in the group
“Our understanding of a Higher Power is up to us…. We can call it the group, the
program,
or we can call it God.”
Basic Text, p.24
Many of us have a hard time with the idea of a Higher Power until we fully accept the
depth of our own powerlessness over addiction. Once we do, most of us are at least
willing to consider seeking the help of some Power greater than our disease. The first
practical exposure many of us have to that kind of Power is in the NA group. Perhaps
that’s where we should start in developing our own understanding of God.
One evidence of the Power in the group is the unconditional love shown when NA
members help one another without expectation of reward. The group’s collective
experience in recovery is itself a Power greater than our own, for the group has
practical knowledge of what works and what doesn’t. And the fact that addicts keep
coming to NA meetings, day after day, is a demonstration of the presence of a
Higher Power, some attractive, caring force at work that helps addicts stay clean and
grow.
All these things are evidence of a Power that can be found in NA groups. When we
look around with an open mind, each of us will be able to identify other signs of that
Power. It doesn’t matter if we call it God, a Higher Power, or anything else-just as
long as we find a way to incorporate that Power into our daily lives.
Just for today: I will open my eyes and my mind to signs of a Power that exists in
my NA group. I will call upon that Power to help me stay clean.