Comments from Web Sites and Publications
Step 2 is a step of hope,
faith and realization. It is a big step towards God. In spite of all of the
failures in my own life - all of the broken promises, hard feelings, disappointments,
failures, destructive behavior, hatred, anxiety, depression or guilt in my life
- there is still hope. There is hope because there is a Power greater than myself.
And this Power has the ability to restore my life to a life where there is freedom
from the insanity of addictive behaviors. I begin to realize that such a Power
exists and this Power is able to set me on the road to recovery and freedom.
- From 12Step.org
Therefore, Step Two is the rallying point for all of us. Whether agnostic, atheist, or former believer, we can
stand together on this Step. True humility and an open mind can lead us to faith, and every A.A.
meeting is an assurance that God will restore us to sanity if we rightly relate ourselves to Him.
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 33
Through believing that a Higher Power can help, a man or a woman formerly eaten up with raging fear, anger,
shame, doubt, guilt, and frustration may become calm and begin to grow spiritually by focusing on doing some
simple steps, going to meetings, reading the Big Book, and talking to a sponsor. This person is not alone; there
are other caring brothers and sisters who really do understand because they are dealing with the same problems
the newcomer has. The simple act of believing that a Higher Power can restore us to sanity leads us into a
family and into a new life where we can begin to see and experience a little sanity.
- A Hunger for Healing, p. 35
The process of coming to believe is something that we seem to experience in similar ways. One thing most
of us lacked was a working relationship with a Higher Power. We begin to develop this relationship by
simply admitting to the possibility of a Power greater than ourselves. Most of us have no trouble
admitting that addiction had become a destructive force in our lives. Our best efforts resulted in
ever greater destruction and despair. At some point we realized we needed the help of some Power
greater than our addiction. Our understanding of a Higher Power is up to us. No one is going to decide
for us. We can call it the group, the program, or we can call it God. The only suggested guidelines are
that this Power be loving, caring and greater than ourselves. We don't have to be religious to accept
this idea. The point is that we open our minds to believe. We may have difficulty with this, but by
keeping an open mind, sooner or later, we find the help we need.
- Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text, Chapter 4/Step 2
The Step 2 phrase "came to believe" suggests a process and a progression of faith that evolves over
time. A portion of A.A.'s oral tradition defines this as a three-part unfolding: First, we came,
that is, we showed up and stumbled in the door. Second, we came to, that is, we sobered up,
came to our senses, and began to experience emotional sobriety. Third, we came to believe.
We began our real recovery process and our spiritual growth.
- Serenity, A Companion for Twelve Step Recovery, p. 29
Here is an audio recording of Fred taking his second step before an A.A. meeting.
- BigBookStepStudy.com
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