Although the two terms are often used interchangeably, belief and faith are quite different. Belief is a necessary precursor to faith, but there is more to it than that. Here’s what you need to know about the distinction between the two and how you can use both of them to live a life in recovery and achieve sober living.
Belief
Belief refers to a set of ideas that you hold to be true. In the 12-step program, belief in a higher power is one of the cornerstones. This means that you believe in God or another higher power that makes sense to you. You also believe that the ideals and tenets of your chosen religion are true as well. Belief is a starting point, but it does not paint the complete picture, and is always evolving as you grow. For that, you’ll need faith.
Faith
Faith goes much deeper than belief. Belief in a higher power will only get you so far; you also have to have faith that your higher power will help you have the strength to achieve recovery. True faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something that you feel to the very core of your soul, while belief is a product of your mind. Faith gives you the courage to press on, even when times get tough. When you hit a rough patch, it is your faith in your higher power that will give you the strength to get through it.
Incorporating Belief and Faith into Your Recovery from Addiction
When you first begin a 12-step program towards recovery, step 2 is confirming your belief in a higher power. Step 3 then asks you to give yourself over into the care of that higher power, which requires faith. Throughout the 12 steps, as you deepen your understanding of your higher power, your faith will increase exponentially. Of course, you will have the inevitable setbacks that all recovering addicts go through, but your faith will help you get through them without falling back into addiction.
My 12-Step Store has everything you need to build your belief and harness your faith to help you beat your addiction for good. Browse through our selection of 12-step materials and associated gifts to help you on the road to recovery.