July 8

“To work this step, we only need to be open-minded enough to try something new. For most of us, coming to believe is a gradual process. We don’t need to believe in any particular concept of a Higher Power in order to begin.”

Sex Addicts Anonymous, page 26

I considered myself an atheist, and when I saw “God” mentioned in the Steps, I thought this program wouldn’t work for me. I voiced my skepticism in meetings. Others shared having had similar reservations but finding a way to make it work for them. I was relieved to learn that I didn’t need to accept any particular concept of God, and I’m grateful that no one tried to push any personal religion on me. I was able to lower my defenses and take a fresh look at spirituality. I saw that I had been prejudiced and arrogant, and had closed my mind on the subject.

To take Step Two, I had to accept that maybe I didn’t have it all figured out. I focused on the word “could” in the step—“that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity,” meaning it was possible, that just maybe there was something to all this spiritual stuff. I didn’t have to instantly believe in God, I just had to be open to the possibility. When I stopped fighting and opened up to the idea, it got much easier. I didn’t have to figure it all out, I just had to keep coming back, keep an open mind, and be willing to let the program work.

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I may or may not understand what “God” means, but today I will keep an open mind and believe it is possible for that Power to help me.