Why would a Loving HP Create a World Filled with Racism, “War, Brutality, Poverty and Disease?” Step 3

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Bodhi Baba

Step 3, Zonr Posts

From Simon Y. — “I see a higher power as my reality and not a singular event or thing.”

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How have the doors or ideas about your Higher Power evolved, lately?

If people can choose how they act, how can we help make the world kinder even when bad things happen?

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Knock, Knock – Mac Miller (3:52)

Khalil Gibran Brief Bio

Khalil Gibran’s Guided Meditation on God & Love (4:27)

Today’s SFZ explores a deep and challenging question: Why would a loving Higher Power (HP) allow suffering in the world? Many people struggle with the presence of racism, war, poverty, and disease while trying to believe in a loving HP. The authors in recovery literature, such as Life with Hope and Overeaters Anonymous, do not blame HP for the world’s pain. Instead, they emphasize human responsibility. People, through fear, selfishness, and separation, cause the world’s suffering—not HP.

The recovery programs offer a different way of seeing God or HP. They don’t force a specific belief. Instead, they invite individuals to define HP in their own way. This inclusive approach reflects Kahlil Gibran’s idea that Truth has many doors, each welcoming those who seek with an open heart. Gibran suggests that there isn’t just one correct path to understanding or connecting with a loving power.

In Step 3 of many 12-Step programs, individuals choose to turn their will and lives over to the care of a Higher Power. This step does not promise a pain-free world. Instead, it offers a way to find meaning and spiritual strength amid life’s difficulties. Trusting in a loving HP doesn’t erase evil, but it helps us respond to it with compassion, courage, and sanity.

Rather than asking why suffering exists, these teachings challenge us to ask how we respond. That shift, from blame to responsibility, builds spiritual maturity and emotional healing.

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Comments

9 responses to “Why would a Loving HP Create a World Filled with Racism, “War, Brutality, Poverty and Disease?” Step 3”

June 21, 2025

Eli🌱

I don’t resonate with the concept of a universal creator-power in the first place.

People are people, informed by our environment as much as anything else. I can change my own recursive routines, not control other’s actions.

My higher power is a collection of ideals, some feelings and impressions, but not a conscious/collective/sentient or sapient being.

Reconciling the world’s state with another being’s lovingness has nothing to do with my HP. That question has too many presuppositions for me! I idealize loving-kindness though. People can be pretty cool.

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June 20, 2025

Elexi W.S.A.

Well I think my Creator or O Great Spirit as I like to refer to my HP instead have been evolving in allowing me to see what assistance is so needed in this world with everything that goes on. I was given a very valuable learning tool – my mind to change, and evolve my thinking into something more pleasing upon the world, and O Great Spirit (Wellbriety term for HP)

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June 20, 2025

E- Dawg

I can’t imagine not believing in God in a world like this…he didn’t create a bunch of robots… he gave us free will to do what we choose. He also doesn’t ask much for me to get to heaven. There’s no Financial payment, there’s no daily ritual that I must do, but he does tell me that faith without works is dead… so my work down here is to do his will which can only happen if I’m 100% sober…

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June 20, 2025

Sabrina J

The way I view HP is that each of us are like nerve endings collecting experience and sending it back to our Higher Power. In other words, we are here to live. Through living we honor both our purpose and our Higher Power. I have no answer why part of our experience is suffering, and why some suffer more than others. It bothers me. Yet, if I trust my HP as we have discussed in previous posts, than I also must trust that which I do not understand and have faith that my HP has purpose. Thank you, I am grateful for the opportunity to share.

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June 11, 2019

Moe

My understanding of GOD and or a higher power has always been Jesus Christ. After being in treatment I’ve realized that GOD has manifested through N.A, A.A ,C.M.A etc.

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June 11, 2018

Simon Yebio

I see a higher power as my reality and not a singular event or thing

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June 11, 2013

Br. Buddha

Good morning everyone + Happy Tuesday. Being a minister, I am often asked the question of why. Why could God allow such violence, destruction, + chaos in this world. How can God allow him/her to die from addiction. I can only reassure people that it is not God who causes these things, but He is here with us in the rebuilding. He needs us as sober people to come + help Him in the rebuilding. Join us. Blessings. BB

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September 12, 2012

Adam

I think I am ready to accept that my HP is a positive force and not one that is completely indifferent. Although I’m not convinced that this is a conscious being outside of myself that I pray to and ask for things. I think that is western ego centric vision of God that I am averse to believing in. But I know that AA isn’t asking me to believe anything like that.

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June 13, 2012

JB jr.

I see my HP as being more deeply rooted in me as something I am in constant contact with and guides me in ways I’m not consciously aware.

Reply