Do you fully embrace your faith tradition? Are you able to interact with others of different traditions who fully embrace theirs? Has this ever created tension for you? You can embrace your faith and this resulting tension at the same time. Being faithful to your own calling doesn’t require you to live in isolation from everyone else. Meeting people who disagree with you doesn’t make them your enemies. I got along just fine in a world with diverse faith practices and you can too. You are to be in the world but not of the world.

Have you heard it said that there are no atheists in foxholes? The same argument could be applied to AA meetings. Atheism is a luxury of those who can pretend they are self-sufficient. It doesn’t work for those who know they are at risk, in peril, and need help. But don’t these conditions apply to everyone? Yet not everyone is aware that they cannot make it on their own. I know the proud afar off, but I identify with the humble, and meek, and lowly of heart. Is it a mystery to you how the poor in spirit are blessed, and theirs is the Kingdom of God (now)?

How do you see yourself? In the fullness of the essence of your humanity or as the sum of your attachments? How do you see others? You can see them either way, and they can make the first way more difficult if they see themselves the second way and carefully craft an image to present themselves the second way. But the first way still exists for all people. Strive to see yourself the first way. This puts you in a position to see others that way even if they are alienated from themselves and do not see themselves that way.

Have you ever been in a severe crisis and prayed for relief, but did not get the outcome you desired? Have you been told by those in positions of spiritual authority that you did not have enough faith to get what you wanted? This is a form of spiritual abuse, and it is particularly egregious to add this level of condemnation to you in the midst of suffering your trial. Didn’t I chide people for their lack of faith and promise that if they believed they would have whatever they wanted?