Disempowerment In The Name Of God
February 14th 2007 13:52
There is a common theme that I encounter when working with addicts and others chemically involved. While many a recovering individual rightfully accepts responsibility for his or her ‘character flaws’ and actions, rarely if ever do they accept credit for their successes. The success always goes to God, “as we understand him”.
What’s that about? Wouldn’t it be empowering to identify success as something I had a hand in? And conversely, isn’t it disempowering to only get credit for the failures?
I remember thinking when I was a kid in trouble that all “they ever notice is when I screw up. I’m never acknowledged for doing good.” As I’ve grown up and matured, I have come to realize that indeed I can make a difference n my own life. And, I’m proud of that!
Can I share my success with God, as I understand him/her/it? Yes. And the failures and mistakes? Why not? Isn’t it all the same bowl of soup?
Now, I know that there are indoctrination regimens that require total self-effacement as a first and necessary step in the tearing down and then rebuilding of an individual. Often, a soldier in some war or information campaign.
Frankly, I find that demeaning and insulting. And, am I (or anyone else) really so bad that I cannot have an active hand in making constructive changes in my life? Is such thinking blasphemous, naïve, and downright self-centered?
SELF-EMPOWERMENT ANYONE?
deorre
What’s that about? Wouldn’t it be empowering to identify success as something I had a hand in? And conversely, isn’t it disempowering to only get credit for the failures?
I remember thinking when I was a kid in trouble that all “they ever notice is when I screw up. I’m never acknowledged for doing good.” As I’ve grown up and matured, I have come to realize that indeed I can make a difference n my own life. And, I’m proud of that!
Can I share my success with God, as I understand him/her/it? Yes. And the failures and mistakes? Why not? Isn’t it all the same bowl of soup?
Now, I know that there are indoctrination regimens that require total self-effacement as a first and necessary step in the tearing down and then rebuilding of an individual. Often, a soldier in some war or information campaign.
Frankly, I find that demeaning and insulting. And, am I (or anyone else) really so bad that I cannot have an active hand in making constructive changes in my life? Is such thinking blasphemous, naïve, and downright self-centered?
SELF-EMPOWERMENT ANYONE?
deorre
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Comment by Ash
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Flashes of memories
Comment by Deorre
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Comment by Ahmed
techy.Bytes
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I attribute my success and failures to God, if I fail I take it as a learning experience from God. heck, who am I to question what for me is success and failure? Maybe I really want something and if I get it I'd consider it a success, but maybe god will prevent me from getting that something because God knows best, and God knows that isn't good for me. Which is why I ask god to make that which is good for me easy to get, and vice versa.
I know theres the common view that people who get addicted to drugs would then as such be able to blame god for letting them go on drugs. That isn't true, they only have themselves to blame. God gave us the ability to do as we wish, it is up to us to make use of this privilidge god has given us to make the most of it, it will either help us, or destroy us, the choice is ours.
As such I thank god for my success and for my failures, I thank god for giving me success, and thank him for taking it away from me, because I may be wrong and failure might be the true success for me, and even if that isn't the case it is a learning experience none the less.
So yeah, pretty much win-win in my world
Still, don't do drugs, thats just wrong.
Comment by Deorre
Stress Alive
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Seems to me that one must at least accept a partnership with their version of God that embraces both success and failure. I think that would be called being alive.
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
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Hitler was the result of his own pride etc. So the difference between false pride and genuine pride was completely blured. People were being told what is wrong in order to correct their mistakes but were rarely told what they did right incase they got a big ego. Big egos were considered ugly and dangerous in some people. A person should be humble and modest in all things.
Biblical and religious examples were used because they were the most respected form of litrature at the time.
I think much of this attitude does reflect itself today in the Tall Poppy syndrome. Or friend pouring cold water on each other inspirations. They are trying to protect them from a run away ego if the succeed.
Comment by Deorre
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That would be, er...benevolent, I suppose.
Comment by Brenton
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Comment by Lilla
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...would have got here sooner, but there wasa wobble on da-Orble that prevented me from accessing 'anything!' ... you may have also noticed... anyhoo... I lost my original communique in the process and so am re-writing (again)...
When I was younger I used to believe that the two hardest things in life to deal with are : Failure and Success... *lol* I was wrong. I have since learned that Success is the hardest things to deal with for the many obvious reasons already stated ... I think humility is a good trait, but not when it becomes self defeating ... that contradicts the Biblical rhetoric on what God wants, for one thing, doesn't it?
Great post!
Thanks,
Lilla ...
Comment by Deorre
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