Confused, Lonely, Hurting People Could Use a Hug

In yesterday's post, I wrote about positive interactions with people that make AA such an important part of alcoholics' recovery. Today I am finishing Enjoying God, by S. J. Hill (https://www.sjhillonline.com/) and came across a passage worth passing along to y'all. The book is preachy and heavily Biblical (for my taste, but maybe not yours). But in the last chapter, Hill provides a god-inspired reason why going through our alcoholism can be turned into a good thing. He isn't talking about addiction or AA, but he could be, Read it from the perspective of a person in recovery.

"One of the main reasons we experience the dark night of the soul is so we can relate to others in need.... When you're dealing with confused, lonely, hurting people, you can't touch their hearts with information alone. But when you get real with them and share your own pain, frustration, and feelings of failure, your honesty will motivate them to open up their hearts as well. Out of your own brokenness, you'll be able to impart life to them, because you're sharing a part of yourself and not just something you read in a book. You'll be able to leave them with hope, because the Father walked you through your dark night and took you deeper into His heart than you had ever been before.

"Sometimes all people need is a listening ear and a compassionate response. They need your friendship, a hug, an affirmation, a blessing, or a prayer. As you watch friends and family members pass through their dark night, you'll probably see them respond in some rather immature ways. That's OK. Give them grace. After all, how well did you handle your situation?"

All of which should bring to mind AA's Step Twelve: "Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs."