Closer to God and People

Before Al-Anon I felt distant from everyone – from God from other people even from myself. I couldn't articulate what I needed or wanted or felt. I couldn't trust that God heard my prayers or cared about my pain. I couldn't believe people would accept me if they really knew me. The distance felt permanent and unbridgeable.

Step Five brings us closer to our Higher Power and helps us learn to trust both God and other people on our spiritual journey. This dual closeness is what I need – not just connection with God or just connection with people but both. They reinforce each other. When I trust a person enough to share my Fifth Step my trust in God deepens. When I trust God enough to do this scary thing my capacity to trust people grows.

The distance I felt wasn't permanent. It was maintained by secrets and shame and isolation. Step Five bridges the gap by breaking the isolation. I move closer to God by being honest with another person. I move closer to people by trusting God's guidance in choosing who to trust.

If I feel distant from God or from people, I can remember that Step Five is designed to bridge both gaps. Sharing honestly with one person I trust brings me closer to my Higher Power and builds my capacity to trust both. The closeness comes through the honesty.