The Wall: A Moment of Reflection and Renewal

For the past few weeks, I have been waking up with little motivation. This is not common for me—to feel less than driven or without purpose. Then, a friend sent me a text with the quote:

"We feel free when we escape, even if it be from the frying pan into the fire." — Eric Hoffer

This made me wonder: Have I become too comfortable in my routine? Have I hit a wall in my recovery or in my daily expectations? Experience has taught me that when I reach this point, something in my life needs to change. But before jumping to conclusions, I turn to a core principle found in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous:

"And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation—some fact of my life—unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God’s world by mistake." (AA, p. 217)

So, now I must decide: Do I accept my present situation, or is it time to change? Either way, I take comfort in knowing that nothing happens in God’s world by mistake.

A Process for Moving Forward

Thankfully, the AA program provides a process for answering these questions. It begins with seeking guidance:

1. Start with Prayer – A prayer of willingness, asking in faith, knowing that God loves me and that through His grace, there is joy and completeness in all His works.

2. Take Inventory with Pen and Paper –

   • What is working in my life?

   • What is not working? Does it need to change?

   • If something is working smoothly without frustration, leave it alone.

   • For those things causing frustration, I must determine whether I can accept them as they are or if they must change.

3. Consider Alternatives – If I cannot adapt to a situation as exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment, then I must explore what changes are possible. This list must also consider my personal tolerance for change.

4. Develop an Action Plan – Once I select a course of action, I list the steps needed to implement it.

5. Move Forward with Gratitude – As I take each step, I maintain an attitude of gratitude, trusting that growth and renewal are part of God’s plan.

Biblical and Spiritual Guidance for Transformation

As I reflect on this process, I turn to scripture for wisdom:

• "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." — Ecclesiastes 3:1

  • Life has different phases, and recognizing the right time for change is part of God’s plan.

• "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." — Romans 12:2

  • Hitting a wall may signal that transformation is needed, that my mind needs renewal while I seek God's will.

• "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me." — Ether 12:27

  • Recognizing my frustrations and limitations helps me stay humble and allows God’s grace to work in my life.

• "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass." — Alma 37:6-7

  • Change does not have to be drastic; even small steps can lead to great transformation.

With this plan in mind, I now stand before The Wall—not with fear of change or uncertainty, but with readiness. I accept the challenge, knowing that whether I climb it, break through it, or walk around it, I do so with faith, gratitude, and purpose.