bedevilments
Canine Welfare Advocate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 10,962
I can't, but I wanted to welcome you to Sober Recovery.
We have a 12-step forum, perhaps someone there can help.
Alcoholism-12 Step Support - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information
Good luck in deconstructing the Big Book.
We have a 12-step forum, perhaps someone there can help.
Alcoholism-12 Step Support - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information
Good luck in deconstructing the Big Book.
SR Fan
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 7,910
Welcome, lights -
I'm not sure what you mean by bedevilment, unless you're talking about addiction(?)..... I assume it's a reference from the Big Book, since you mentioned the "promises."
I looked for an explanation for my alcoholism for years, thinking that if I could understand it, I could fix it. I think I was looking for a way to control my drinking instead of having to stop altogether.
In the end, I don't think it matters. We either get sober or we don't. The main thing, I think, is that we can't do it alone. We need help/support (and this is a great place to start!) Glad you're here!
I'm not sure what you mean by bedevilment, unless you're talking about addiction(?)..... I assume it's a reference from the Big Book, since you mentioned the "promises."
I looked for an explanation for my alcoholism for years, thinking that if I could understand it, I could fix it. I think I was looking for a way to control my drinking instead of having to stop altogether.
In the end, I don't think it matters. We either get sober or we don't. The main thing, I think, is that we can't do it alone. We need help/support (and this is a great place to start!) Glad you're here!
Fellow Traveler and Seeker
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 2,408
Originally Posted by lights 
can someone help with a full explanation of bedevilment and is it the opposite of the promises
'We were having trouble with personal relationships, we couldn't control our emotional natures, we were a prey to misery and depression, we couldn't make a living, we had a feeling of uselessness, we were full of fear, we were unhappy, we couldn't seem to be of real help to other people - was not a basic solution of these bedevilments more important than whether we should see newsreels of lunar flight? Of course it was.'
These are examples of what we call the unmanagability of our lives. Drunk, or just white-knuckling it, I am prone to show these traits.
To answer your question, in many ways yes they are the opposites of the promises, which come 31 pages later in the book.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Cleveland, OH
Posts: 1,191
Bedevilments p 52:
"We were having trouble with personal relationships, we couldn't control our emotional natures, we were a prey to misery and depression, we couldn't make a living, we had a feeling of uselessness, we were full of fear, we were unhappy, we couldn't seem to be of realhelp to other people -- was not a basic solution of these bedevilments more important than whether we should see newsreels of lunar flight? "
Compared to the 9th step promises on page 83 and 84
If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through.
We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.
We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.
No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.
That feeling of uselessness and self pity will disappear.
We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.
Self-seeking will slip away.
Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.
Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.
We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.
We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us—sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.
"We were having trouble with personal relationships, we couldn't control our emotional natures, we were a prey to misery and depression, we couldn't make a living, we had a feeling of uselessness, we were full of fear, we were unhappy, we couldn't seem to be of realhelp to other people -- was not a basic solution of these bedevilments more important than whether we should see newsreels of lunar flight? "
Compared to the 9th step promises on page 83 and 84
If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through.
We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.
We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.
No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.
That feeling of uselessness and self pity will disappear.
We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.
Self-seeking will slip away.
Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.
Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.
We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.
We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us—sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.
Guest
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,452
Originally Posted by lights
can someone help with a full explanation of bedevilment and is it the opposite of the promises
A.A. Recovery - The Missing Piece: The Spiritual Malady
It`s ok to stay sober
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Central NC
Posts: 20,903
bedevilment
the state of being vexatiously and bewilderingly disordered or confused
disordered ( to throw into confusion;to disturb the regular mental and physical functions )
yep,I would say those bedevilments examples qualify in my past life but not today
as a general rule
the state of being vexatiously and bewilderingly disordered or confused
disordered ( to throw into confusion;to disturb the regular mental and physical functions )
yep,I would say those bedevilments examples qualify in my past life but not today
as a general rule
Guest
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,452
"Originally Posted by lights
can someone help with a full explanation of bedevilment and is it the opposite of the promises"
Bedevilments vs. The Promises
can someone help with a full explanation of bedevilment and is it the opposite of the promises"
Bedevilments vs. The Promises
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