I can agree with this definition, as I stated before I believe that our spirit is a gift from God, and that we can either choose to build it up or tear it down.
The surrender that they talk about at AA in my area sounds more like giving up responsibility to God for our sobriety as something that is "out of our control". I reject that notion because I am in total control of whether I choose to poison myself, it is I who pours the drink and swallows it. God gives me that choice to make.
If surrender means to accept that God desires us to build ourselves up rather than destroy ourselves, then I can accept that definition. I have agreed with Him on this point and do not plan to ever drink again.
I know that if I allow myself to be in charge of moderating or controlling this substance, I will likely fail and it is not worth it. So I choose to remove all choice from myself, I am a non-drinker. I ask God to help me in carrying this out.
Another way that I look at it is that my license to drink alcohol has been revoked permanently due to reckless "driving". It was my own fault that I lost the privilege, not someone else.
"The surrender that they talk about at AA in my area sounds more like giving up responsibility to God for our sobriety as something that is "out of our control"."
Whoops. Sounds to me as though someone may be scrambling a couple of different AA beliefs. Haven't a clue about meetings in your area, but my understanding has always been:
-- I am powerless over alcohol. No argument there. Once I got really honest with myself, I had to admit that I had lost the ability to control my drinking, or predict my behavior, once I took a drink.
-- God, or a Higher Power (of my own choosing), can and will assist me if I ask for help. Belief isn't that He'll do it for me. The work is mine to do. He sure is nice backup though!
It was essential that I give up the idea that I could control my drinking. (Chapter 3 in "the Big Book" talks all about that.) NONE of the facts supported that I could, you understand. No one who knew me would have told you that I could "take it or leave it." But as an egotistical, practicing alcoholic, the last thing I wanted to admit was that "anything" could be stronger than my own will. I thought it would show weakness if I admitted that booze had me whipped, and that I needed help. Later learned the opposite is true. It takes courage to surrender any problem, and certainly one of that magnitude.
Hope this helps!
free will is certainly the gift that keeps on giving...'surrendering' my free will, for this alcoholic, is not akin to surrendering to an enemy...its a show of respect for myself as the creature that is dependant and willing to listen to the order of my Creator...
I pissed off an old timer one day when I said that my attitude is that 'I' dont want to drink today [or ever]...BUT if God needed for me to be an example for others and demonstrate His Glory, then I would gladly sacrifice 'my' spirit for 'His Spirit'...
pretty deep, but I am confident that He has removed the problem, so long as I desire to do the things He would have me do...