trusting in a higher power

 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and its foundational text, the Big Book, have a strong spiritual underpinning that aligns closely with the themes found in Proverbs 3:5-6, particularly the ideas of trusting in a higher power, surrendering self-reliance, and seeking guidance for a straightened path. While the Big Book does not directly quote Proverbs 3:5-6, its principles echo throughout AA’s philosophy and the Twelve Steps, especially in how members are encouraged to rely on a "Power greater than ourselves" to overcome alcoholism and find a new way of living.

In the Big Book, this connection is most evident in Step 3: "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him." This step reflects the essence of Proverbs 3:5-6—trusting in a higher power ("the Lord" or "God as we understood Him") rather than depending solely on personal understanding or willpower. The Big Book emphasizes that alcoholics often fail when relying on their own strength, as seen in Chapter 5, "How It Works," where it states, "Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. We asked His protection and care with complete abandon." This mirrors the call in Proverbs to trust fully and not lean on one’s own limited insight.

Additionally, the Big Book repeatedly stresses surrendering self-will and acknowledging a higher power in all aspects of life, much like "in all your ways acknowledge him." For example, in Chapter 4, "We Agnostics," it addresses those skeptical of religion, encouraging them to find a personal conception of God and to let go of the delusion that they can manage their lives alone: "We had to quit playing God. It didn’t work." This surrender paves the way for a straightened path—recovery and a life of sobriety—which aligns with the promise in Proverbs that God "will make straight your paths."

The personal stories in the Big Book also illustrate this. In "Bill’s Story" (Chapter 1), co-founder Bill W. describes his moment of desperation and subsequent spiritual awakening, where he relinquished control and trusted in a higher power, leading to a transformed life. This narrative reflects the process of trusting and acknowledging God to find a new direction, akin to the straightened path in Proverbs.

While AA is intentionally broad in its spiritual approach—allowing members to define "God" in their own terms—the core idea of relying on something greater than oneself to overcome a seemingly hopeless condition resonates deeply with Proverbs 3:5-6. The Big Book doesn’t cite this verse explicitly, but its message of faith, surrender, and guidance permeates the text, making it a foundational parallel to AA’s approach to recovery.