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Finding Power in Powerlessness
Contributor: Nikki DuBose, for Eating Disorder Hope
Coming to terms with ourselves and admitting that we are powerless is the first step in gaining any type of recovery. What does it mean to be powerless? According to The Life Recovery Workbook (Arterburn, Stoop), when we no longer have control over our lives, we are powerless.
When someone or something is more powerful than our own will, we must surrender and act in a humble manner. However if we cannot see where we are behaving poorly and continue to live the way that we always have, then the thing or person continues to execute control over us, and we repeatedly act out in our pride, addiction or dependency (Arterburn,Stoop).
Refusing to See the Problem
In my own life I went around and around the same mountains, refusing to see that I had an eating disorder and problem with drugs and alcohol. I could see where everyone else had the problems, and I thought that the world was one big messed up place.
But I had no clue what an eating disorder was, or that I was an alcoholic or drug addict until almost the end of my seventeen year battle came to a close. I wasn’t familiar with the word powerlessness because I was in denial. When we are in denial we state that something is not true2, therefore it has the ability to hold power over our lives because the truth has not been released.
Finding Power in Powerlessness
Where does the power lie in powerlessness? When we finally come to the end of ourselves, we might think that we don’t have any strength, however this is where our true power begins. Power starts in humility and grows in knowing that we can’t do anything without our Higher Power’s help.
A light switch cannot operate on its own. It needs someone to flip it. In the same way, we need to be turned on by our Creator. But we cannot do that if we are trying to run on our own terms day in and day out.
The Gift of Humility
Humility is crucial to success in recovery. Every great leader has the gift of humility mixed with knowing when to execute authority. True humility knows its limitations3, accepts them graciously and surrenders.
Our destructive tendencies desires to be in control all the time, however in order to be effective, we must understand when to release that control and trust our Higher Power. Thankfully because of recovery, we have the choice to accept the free flowing help that is available to us, to gain back the power in seemingly hopeless situations.
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!
How long did it take you to realize that you were in denial with your eating disorder? Did you also struggle with addiction, if so, how long were you in denial about your addiction?
References:
- Arterburn, Stephen & Stoop, David. The Life Recovery Workbook: A Biblical Guide through the Twelve Steps. Colorado Springs: Tyndale, 2007. Print.
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denial
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humility
About the Author:
Nikki DuBose is a former model, host, and actress who has recently turned her career focus towards writing, public speaking, and mental health advocacy. She is a passionate dynamic voice in the mental health field and seeks to encourage others to develop a strong sense of their intrinsic value and self-worth.
Nikki grew up in charming Charleston, South Carolina and currently splits her time between Los Angeles, California and Seattle, Washington. After traveling the globe and working as a fashion model and commercial actress in exciting destinations such as the Middle East, Paris, Barcelona, and London, she was inspired to leave the industry to pursue writing full time.
Her writing is focused on encouraging others to overcome the deadly grip of eating disorders that affect millions. She draws firsthand experience from a long-standing battle with bulimia, anorexia, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, drug and alcohol addictions, and a wide range of mental health issues.
Her first book is set to be released next year and recounts her life struggles and ultimate triumph over the mental disorders that plagued her for most of her life. She has been published in multiple articles for The National Eating Disorders Association for her hope, strength, and community outreach initiatives.
She continues to write and advocate for NEDA, connect with people around the world through her website, and speak and assist with various other organizations covering various mental health issues, body image, and self-esteem.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on May 15th, 2015
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
The EatingDisorderHope.com editorial team comprises experienced writers, editors, and medical reviewers specializing in eating disorders, treatment, and mental and behavioral health.
