Overcoming Fear of the Future

How Step Two Can Restore Sanity Through Faith in Action

This year brings hope that the year of the pandemic with all of its dismal conditions will somehow evaporate; that the world will now become happy, joyous, and free — probably not!

The stage may be set for deep apprehension or even that great sobriety nemesis: FEAR! At the onset of this coming year, I may well look ahead and make decisions (resolutions) with prayer, good common sense, plus the use of my sponsor. However, irrational fear—that great friend of mental obsession—will doubtlessly continue its attack mode. What to do?

Page 68 of the Big Book offers suggestions. To paraphrase: First, to realize that I cannot be rid of the powerful fear-devil with my good-keen-intellectual-mind, nor with willpower. Self cannot rid self of self with self—consequently I need help from a power greater than me. But how? The Big Book advises: “We ask Him to remove our fear and direct our attention to what He would have us be.” (p. 68).

But how can I be as God would have me? How can I be different tomorrow than I am today? The answer is to live in the spirit of Steps Ten, Eleven and Twelve. “Fear of people and economic insecurity will leave us” (p. 84).

PS — The two “Ghosts” are from the fear-movie: “The Shining.”

By Bob S.