Are These “Extravagant Promises” or Everyday Miracles Just within Our Reach – Step 3

“The miracle, or
the power, that ele-
vates the few is to be
found in their industry, ap-
plication, and persever-
ance under the prompt-
ing of a brave, deter-
mined spirit.”

– Mark Twain (1835 – 1910) U.S. author / satirist

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How have you successfully handled a situation that used to “baffle” you?

OR

What happens when we believe in something greater and keep trying, even when it’s hard?

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“Why, who makes much of a miracle?
As to me, I know of nothing else but miracles,
Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan,
Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky,
Or wade with naked feet along the beach just in the edge of the
water … ” – excerpt from Walt Whitman poem below

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How to Clear Your Mind (9:05)

The Most Holy Names of God Meditation II (6:44)

God – by Prince  (7:35)

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Today’s SFZ points to Life with Hope, where Step 3 reminds us that surrendering to a higher power unlocks unexpected strength. The text promises that we will “intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.” This is not blind optimism; it’s transformation through spiritual practice. William James, in The Varieties of Religious Experience, argued that true spiritual surrender often brings about a deep psychological change, allowing individuals to function beyond their past limits.

The Overeaters Anonymous quote reinforces this idea: aligning our thoughts with spiritual ideals sets us free. Carl Jung believed the psyche requires more than logic to heal. It needs the numinous, or a sense of the divine. When we ask God to do what we cannot, we activate that numinous force. This isn’t passive; it demands faith and intention.

Mark Twain’s quote grounds the concept in effort. He links success to “industry, application, and perseverance” ignited by a “brave, determined spirit.” This mirrors Angela Duckworth’s Grit, which champions perseverance over talent. These “miracles” occur not in a vacuum but when spiritual willingness meets determined effort.

These ideas also echo Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. He found that people survived unimaginable suffering by anchoring themselves in purpose and surrendering to something greater than themselves.

So, are these promises extravagant? Not if we understand miracles as shifts in perception, as Marianne Williamson suggested. They are within reach—for those who show up, surrender, and persevere.

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