The Big Book of AA describes the significance of our problem with selfishness in this way: "There often seems no way of entirely getting rid of self without His [God's] aid. Many of us had moral and philosophical convictions galore, but we could not live up to them even though we would have liked to. Neither could we reduce our self-centeredness much by wishing or trying on our own power. We had to have God's help." (Big Book pages 62-63)
The Big Book confirms what the Bible says about needing God to help us deal with the destructive problem of selfishness and other shortcomings we have. By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life … because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. (2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT)
The Big Book authors mirror this important truth for us as follows: "This is the how and why of it. First of all, we had to quit playing God. It didn't work. Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director. He is the Principal; we are His agents. He is the Father, and we are His children. Being all powerful, He provided what we needed, if we kept close to Him and performed His work well. Established on such a footing we became less and less interested in ourselves, our little plans and designs. More and more we became interested in seeing what we could contribute to life. (Big Book pages 62-63)
In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. (2 Peter 1:5-7 NLT)
Prayer: Thank you God for your help in dealing with our selfishness. We surrender. Be the director of our lives. Work your will in us and through us so that we might share in Your divine nature. Amen
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