FAITH

Definition of Faith:
Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

Synonyms of Faith:
Trust, belief, conviction, credence, reliance, dependence, etc

These notes are from recovery in AA and/or related 12 step programs.
Readers are encouraged to click external links for more detail.
We hope you find them helpful.

Love in fellowship.

Faith implies loyalty, trust and fidelity.

Faith is not belief without proof; it’s trust without reservation. –D. Elton Trueblood | More….

Before we can be cured we must want to be cured. Those who really wish for help will get it; but for many people even the wish is difficult. –CS Lewis | More…

The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God. –CS Lewis
You are not a son of God until you have faith in god, until then you are a child of God -Joseph Prince | More…

Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One Who is leading. — Oswald Chambers

The great point of Abraham’s faith in God was that he was prepared to do anything for God – Oswald Chambers | More….

 If faith without works is dead, then willingness without action is fantasy. –Pocket Sponsor

Better to go through life sober, thinking you’re an alcoholic, than go through life drunk thinking you’re not. –Heard at a Meeting | More…

True humility and an open mind can lead us to faith. I asked for God’s help.
His presence told me to believe. My obsession for alcohol was taken away and my paranoia has since been lifted. –Daily Reflections | More…

It took time to rekindle my faith, though I came to A.A. I kept coming back and gradually my faith was resurrected –Daily Reflections | More…

Feed your faith and starve your doubt. Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible. –Helen Keller | More…

Faith, fellowship, and service are cures for most of the ills of the world. There is nothing in the field of personal relationships that they cannot do. –24 Hours | More…

Each morning we have a quiet time. We ask God for the power to stay sober for the next twenty-four hours. And each night we thank Him for helping us to keep sober that day. –24Hours | More…

When I got sober I initially had faith only in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Desperation and fear kept me sober. Faith in a Higher Power came much later.  –Daily Reflections | More…

Faith is not knowing, and having that to be okay –Alan Watts
Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realizing you were the prisoner. –Unknown | More…

In recovery, we work at having more faith. Faith in a Higher Power. Faith in the Steps. Faith in our groups.  Faith that our lives will get better if we don’t use chemicals and we work an honest recovery program. Faith makes life a lot easier. –Keep It Simple |

In time, our faith will produce understanding.
We will begin to see the “bigger picture” of our lives. –Just for Today | More…

As our relationship with our Higher Power unfolds and deepens, acceptance becomes almost second-nature. –Just for Today | More…

As we walk through recovery, we rely on our faith in a loving Higher Power and continue onward. –Just for Today | More…

Faith is complete surrender to the will of God and acceptance of His plan for us. | More…

Without faith, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible. –Mary McLeod Bethune | More…

In twelfth-step work, the fifth thing is Continuance. Continuance means our staying with prospects after they have started on the new way of living.

We can only see God with the eyes of faith. This kind of seeing produces a great change in our way of living. –24Hours | More…

We must stick with them and not let them down.
We must encourage them to go to meetings regularly for fellowship and help.

They will learn that keeping sober is a lot easier in the fellowship of others who are trying to do the same thing. We must continue to help prospects by going to see them regularly or telephoning them or writing them so that they don’t get out of touch with A.A. Continuance means good sponsorship.–24Hours | More…

To see God with eyes of faith is to cause God’s power to manifest itself in the material world. In response to your belief, God can work a miracle in your personality.

All miracles happen in the realm of personality and all are caused by and based on belief in God’s never-failing power. But God’s power cannot manifest itself in personalities unless those personalities make His power available by their faith.

Faith gives you the strength to climb steadily the ladder of life. You should leave your security to God and trust Him not to let you fall. –24Hours | More…

In seeking things of the spirit and in our faith, we should try to become childlike.
Even as we grow older, the years of seeking can give us the attitude of the trusting child.
Not only for its simple trust should we have the childlike spirit, but also for its joy in life, its ready laughter, its lack of criticism, and its desire to share. –24Hours | More…

Only in the fullness of faith can the heart-sick and faint and weary be satisfied, healed, and rested.  Much of life is spiritually unexplored country.  Only to the consecrated and loving people who walk with God in spirit can these great spiritual discoveries be revealed. –24Hours | More…

We had become hopelessly sick people; spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
Painful as the present time may be; you will one day see the reason for it.

You will see that it was not only testing, but also a preparation for the life-work which you are to do.  Have faith that your prayers and aspirations will someday be answered.  –24Hours | More…

The answer was in not having to have the answers.  Today spirituality involves all the varied confusions and paradoxes of life that I have discovered in me and in others — and it’s okay. –Father Leo| More…

In carrying our message we attempt to explain the simple “how” of the spiritual life.
Faith in a Higher Power can help you to overcome loneliness, fear, and anxiety.

It can help you get along with other people.
It can make it possible for you to rise above pain, sorrow, and despondency.
It can help you to overcome your desires for the things that destroy. –24Hours | More…

Constantly expect better things.  Believe that what God has in store for you is better than anything you ever had before.

The way to grow old happily is to expect better things right up to the end of your life and even beyond that.  A good life is a growing expanding life, with ever-widening horizons, an ever-greater circle of friends and acquaintances, and an ever-greater opportunity for usefulness.  –24Hours | More…

We can believe that God is in His heaven and that He has a purpose for our lives, which will eventually work out as long as we try to live the way we believe He wants us to live.
It has been said that we should “wear the world like a loose garment.”
That means nothing should seriously upset us because we have a deep, abiding faith that God will always take care of us. –24Hours | More…

It is not the image we create of God which proves God.  It is the effort we make to create this image.

Our path for developing conscious contact with God makes God a familiar companion in our daily life.  Our thoughts of God can remind us that God cares and is in charge.

Exercising our mind in this way is not unlike exercising our body.  Our belief is strengthened into faith when we make the remembrance of God’s presence a daily practice. –In God’s Care/Karen Casey | More…

We were squarely confronted with the question of faith. We couldn’t duck the issue.
Some of us had already walked along the bridge of reason toward the desired shore of faith.

We were grateful that reason had brought us so far.  Yes, we had been faithful to the god of reason.  So, in one way or another, we discovered that faith had been involved all the time! –As Bill Sees It | More… (p.208)

Faith, to be sure, is necessary, but faith alone can avail nothing. My God has always been with me through faith, but it is my responsibility to have the willingness to accept His presence. I ask God to grant me the willingness to do His will. –Daily Reflections| More…

It gives me a chance to express my gratitude for your recovery in A.A. and especially for the demonstration of its principles you are now so inspiringly giving to us all. Certainly, He does not plan to save us from all troubles and adversity.

Nor, in the end, does He save us from so-called death–since this is but an opening of a door into a new life, where we shall dwell among His many mansions.  Touching these things I know you have a most confident faith –As Bill Sees It | More… (p.221)

My head was forever getting in the way of my heart.  It was much easier to me to think rather than to feel; my faith was smothered by logic.  My manipulating and controlling mind was stopping me experiencing the adventure of faith. –Father Leo | More…

A minister in Thailand wrote, “We took A.A.’s Twelve Steps to the largest Buddhist monastery in this province, and the head priest said, “Why, these Steps are fine! For us as Buddhists, it might be slightly more acceptable if you had inserted the word ‘good’ in your Steps instead of ‘God.’

Nevertheless, you say that it is God as you understand Him, and that must certainly include the good.  Yes, A.A.’s Twelve Steps will surely be accepted by the Buddhists around here. –As Bill Sees It | More… (p.223)

An obstacle to my understanding the spiritual life was my intellectualization; my head was forever getting in the way of my heart. It was much easier to me to think rather than to feel; my faith was smothered by logic.

My manipulating and controlling mind was stopping me experiencing the adventure of faith. As I began to trust others, God became alive in my confusion.

I don’t think we can do anything very well in this world unless we practice it.  Fear is often the force that prevents me from acquiring and cultivating the power of faith. –Daily Reflections | More…

Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark. —Sir Rabindranath Tagore. In the darkness of early morning, the bird outside the window begins to sing.

The bird continues singing until the first yellow rays warm its soft wings.  Then it flies away, not returning to the window until the next morning.

We can learn from the small bird how to have faith.  We don’t need to wait for something we want before having faith we’ll get it. Like the bird’s faith in the sunrise, we need only to have faith that God meant each day to enrich our lives. –Today’s Gift | More…

Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense. They are as different as the natural life and the spiritual — Oswald Chambers | More…

There is continual testing in the life of faith up to the point of our physical death, which is the last great test. Faith is absolute trust in God— trust that could never imagine that He would forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5-6) — Oswald Chambers | More…

This sober world is a pleasant place for an alcoholic to live in.
Our need is God’s opportunity. First we must recognize our need. –24Hours | More…

Confidence gives us the will to succeed. Without faith, we invite despair.

Faith lets us win by teaming us with love and hope. When things are going well, faith encourages growth. During hard times, faith falls upon trust for added strength and inspiration. –Today’s Gift | More…

There are two parts to recovery: getting clean, and staying clean.  Staying clean requires attention every day of our lives and draws power from faith.

We stay clean each day on faith.  Just for today, we surrender. Life may be too big for us to tackle on our own power.

When it is, we seek a Power greater than ourselves. By exercising and renewing our faith on a daily basis, we tap the resources we need to live clean, full lives. –Just For Today | More…

It gives me a chance to express my gratitude for your recovery in A.A. and especially for the demonstration of its principles you are now so inspiringly giving to us all. Certainly, He does not plan to save us from all troubles and adversity.

Nor, in the end, does He save us from so-called death–since this is but an opening of a door into a new life, where we shall dwell among His many mansions. Touching these things I know you have a most confident faith –As Bill Sees It | More… (p.221)

My head was forever getting in the way of my heart. It was much easier to me to think rather than to feel; my faith was smothered by logic. My manipulating and controlling mind was stopping me experiencing the adventure of faith. –Father Leo | More…

The way of A.A. is the way of faith. Happiness is a by-product of living the right kind of a life, of doing the right thing. Search for right living and happiness will be your reward.

Happiness will come again, as God’s smile of recognition of your faithfulness. True happiness is always the by-product of a life well lived. –24 Hours | More…

The way of faith is of course not confined to A.A. It is the way for everybody who wants to really live.  The laws of nature are unchangeable, otherwise we could not depend on them.

Spiritual laws are also made to be obeyed. On our choice of good or evil depends whether we go upward to true success and victory in life or downward to loss and defeat. –24 Hours | More…

Unless we have the key of faith to unlock the meaning of life, we are lost. We do not choose faith because it is one way for us, but because it is the only way.

Many have failed and will fail. For we cannot live victoriously without faith
Our souls are restless until they find rest in God.

Without faith, our lives are a meaningless succession of unrelated happenings, without rhyme or reason.  I pray that I may live as though my mind were a reflection of the Divine Mind. –24 Hours | More…

I am content to face the rest of my life without alcohol.  By having quiet times each morning, we start each day with a renewing of our faith, until it becomes almost a part of us and is a strong habit.  –24Hours | More…

It’s not dying faith that’s so hard, it’s living up to it. -William Thackeray
The main way we know that we have faith is by looking at our behavior. –Keep It Simple | More…

God has allowed me the right to be wrong in order for our Fellowship to exist as it does today. If I place God’s will first in my life, it is very likely that A.A. as I know it today will remain as it is. –Daily Reflections | More…

Rewards have come to me as a result of my new way of living. We can bow to God’s will in anticipation of the thing happening which will, in the long run, be the best for all concerned.

We only need to believe that if we trust Him and accept whatever happens as His will in a spirit of faith, everything will work out for the best in the end. –24Hours | More…

Tomorrow is beyond our immediate control. Tomorrow’s sun will rise, either in splendour or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise.

Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is as yet unborn. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

God’s grace is available to all who have faith-not seeing, but believing. With faith, life can be victorious and happy. –24Hours | More…

We had become hopelessly sick people; spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Painful as the present time may be; you will one day see the reason for it.

You will see that it was not only testing, but also a preparation for the life-work which you are to do. Have faith that your prayers and aspirations will someday be answered.  –24Hours | More…

Being faith-filled takes effort, not unlike becoming a good writer, tennis player, or pianist. Faith grows within our hearts, but we must devote time to foster this growth.

Daily discussions with God are required, frequent quiet times to hear God’s messages to us–just as practice on the court, hitting balls or sitting for extended periods at the typewriter or a piano are necessary to attainment of these goals. –Each Day A New Beginning/Karen Casey 29/11 | More…

Why is Love greater than faith?
Because the end is greater than the means.

What is the use of having faith?
It is to connect the soul with God.

What is the object of connecting man with God?
That he may become like God.

But God is Love.
Love, therefore, obviously is greater than faith.

Patience; kindness; generosity; humility; courtesy; unselfishness; good temper; guilelessness; sincerity. These make up the supreme gift. –Henry Drummond/The Greatest Thing In the World | More…

Faith begins with God’s promise and not with our desires. –Christian Fellowship Church.

Do you believe? And if you don’t yet: Are you willing to believe? The word that comes to mind is faith. So what exactly is faith? Faith is not a thought or feelings. Perhaps faith is simply a choice, a decision of our free will. Practicing the Here and Now/Being Intentional with Step 11 | More…

Peace of mind is based on a feeling that fundamentally all is well. Deep down in our hearts we know that everything is eventually going to be all right, now that we are living sober lives.

We have found that we have got rid of many of our fears, resentments, inferiority complexes, negative points of view, self-centeredness, inner conflicts, the habits of procrastination, undisciplined sex, wasting money, boredom, false perfectionism, and jealousy and envy of others.

Try to see how He has brought you safely through your past life so that now you can be of use in the world. With the eyes of faith you can see God’s care and purpose everywhere. –24 Hours | More…

Our faith in god’s power — at work in us and in our lives — doesn’t relieve us of responsibility. Instead, our faith strengthens our efforts, makes us confident and assured, and enables us to act decisively and wisely. –A Day At A Time | More…

Some of us come into recovery very frightened and insecure. We feel weak and alone.

We are told that if we find some faith in a Power greater than ourselves, we will find security and guidance. We want that feeling of safety and strength.

But faith doesn’t come overnight. It takes time and effort to grow.

The seed is planted when we ask our Higher Power for help and then acknowledge the source of our help when it comes. We nurture the tiny seed of faith with the sunlight of our prayers each day.

Our faith grows, a reward for living life on its own terms. One day we realize our faith has become like a huge spreading tree; it doesn’t stop the storms of life, but we know that we are safe in its shelter. –Just For today | More…

Faith is never a necessity for AA membership …
sobriety can be achieved with an easily acceptable minimum of it …

Our concepts of a higher power and God as we understand him afford everyone a nearly unlimited choice of spiritual belief and action. –AA Co-Founder, Bill W., The Language of the Heart/Grapevine

Loyalty to Jesus means I have to step out where I do not see anything (cf. Matt. 14:29); loyalty to my notions means that I clear the ground first by my intelligence. Faith is not intelligent understanding, faith is deliberate commitment to a Person where I see no way. –My Utmost for His Highest | More…

This sober world is a pleasant place for an alcoholic to live in. Our need is God’s opportunity. First we must recognize our need. –24Hours | More…

We plant a garden with faith, never knowing exactly what the harvest will bring. With this same sort of faith we can tend to ourselves. –Today’s Gift | More…

Coming to believe that our Higher Power has only the best in store for us is one way we can combat that fear. We hear in meetings that our Higher Power won’t give us more than we can handle in one day. And we know from experience that, if we ask, we stay clean through adverse situations by practicing our faith in the care of a Power greater than ourselves. Each time we do, we become less fearful of “what if” and more comfortable with what is. –Just For Today | More…

As soon as you begin to live the life of faith in God, fascinating and luxurious prospects will open up before you, and these things are yours by right; but if you are living the life of faith you will exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God choose for you. Whenever right is made the guidance in the life, it will blunt the spiritual insight. –My Utmost for His Highest | More…

There is a relationship between thought and reality. Every thought is alive, and as soon as you think it, a result occurs immediately. This occurs because the Laws of the Great Spirit act immediately. When you tell a lie, you immediately experience fear. When you tell the truth, you immediately experience freedom. To the Creator, there is no time. For us to experience the meaning of this requires us to act on faith. Faith is belief without evidence. –Elders Meditations | More…

In twelfth-step work, the fifth thing is Continuance. Continuance means our staying with prospects after they have started on the new way of living. We must stick with them and not let them down. We must encourage them to go to meetings regularly for fellowship and help. They will learn that keeping sober is a lot easier in the fellowship of others who are trying to do the same thing. We must continue to help prospects by going to see them regularly or telephoning them or writing them so that they don’t get out of touch with A.A. Continuance means good sponsorship.–24Hours | More…

You must retain faith that you can prevail to greatness in the end, while retaining the discipline to confront the brutal facts of your current reality. –Jim Collins

Faith supplies staying power… Anyone can keep going when the going is good, but some extra ingredient is needed to keep you fighting when it seems that everything is against you. –Norman Vincent Peale

We have the idea that God rewards us for our faith, it may be so in the initial stages; but we do not earn anything by faith. Faith brings us into right relationship with God and gives God His opportunity. Faith by its very nature must be tried, and the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God’s character has to be cleared in our own minds. Faith in its actual working out has to go through spells of unsyllabled isolation. Never confound the trial of faith with the ordinary discipline of life. Much that we call the trial of faith is the inevitable result of being alive. –My Utmost for His Highest | More…

Faith must be tried before the reality of faith is actual. “We know that all things work together for good,” then no matter what happens, the alchemy of God’s providence transfigures the ideal faith into actual reality. –My Utmost for His Highest | More…

Faith must be tried before the reality of faith is actual. “We know that all things work together for good,” then no matter what happens, the alchemy of God’s providence transfigures the ideal faith into actual reality. –My Utmost for His Highest | More…

Defenders of the faith are inclined to be bitter until they learn to walk in the light of the Lord. When you have learned to walk in the light of the Lord, bitterness and contention are impossible –Oswald Chambers

“When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” We all have faith in good principles, in good management, in good common sense, but who amongst us has faith in Jesus Christ? Physical courage is grand, moral courage is grander, but the man who trusts Jesus Christ in the face of the terrific problems of life is worth a whole crowd of heroes. — Oswald Chambers

Faith without works is Dead: In order for me to have faith, I have to take action, and after I have taken action that waiting period is when I experience faith. Imagine you’re in a boat, God will steer and you will have to row and if you say, God I want to row, he’ll let you but he will not row and you won’t get anywhere. –America K.

Our calling is not primarily to be holy men and women, but to be proclaimers of the Gospel of God. –My Utmost for His Highest | More…

Faith is never a necessity for AA membership … sobriety can be achieved with an easily acceptable minimum of it … our concepts of a higher power and God as we understand him afford everyone a nearly unlimited choice of spiritual belief and action. –Grapevine, The Language of the Heart, Bill W., April 1961

As your faith is strengthened, you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will and that you will flow with them to your great delight and benefit. –Emmanuel Teney