SESSION 11
Listen to Joe Hawk's eighth tape.
The fourth step - "Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves." | Fear Inventory
Stealing and fear go hand in hand. When I steal someone's words, money or thoughts we are attached and I can never be free from the guilt and shame. I am always wondering if I will be caught and brought to justice. So I live constantly in fear. Fear blocks me from God.
Lack of faith; lack of Power. Generated by the possibility of not getting what I want, or of losing what I have.
Finding a Power greater than ourselves and finding a faith that works under all conditions. The God of my understanding will help me find the strength to deal with all my problems. The solutions for each man and woman is within ourselves. There is a God Spot deep within ourselves. Finding it and maintaining it is our spiritual path of recovery. To finally face and be rid of those behaviors and attitudes discovered during the 4th to 9th step process that keep me apart from my God and other people. This is the key to my future and the inventory is mine, not the other persons.
This is not about justice, but about my God's mercy. I thank the God of my understanding I don't get what I really deserve for what I have done.
Fear is based on what I think I want or need. I manufacture fear in my head; I think I know the outcome before I start.
Contempt prior to investigation; see the Big Book page 568.
Review fears
Look at the 1st column > 2nd column > 3rd column, and then the 4th column. What was I afraid of?
Review fears not listed in Resentment List. Ask yourself "are there any other fears that I have not addressed?" Include them.
Then ask yourself for each case; "why was I afraid?"
Has not self-reliance failed in all these matters?
It is better to trust in an infinite God rather than my finite self.
Fear Prayer
God, please remove my fear and direct my attention to what You would have me be.