AA Creates the Problems it Claims to Cause

Selfishness - self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate. Sometimes they hurt us, seemingly without provocation, but we invariably find that at some time in the past we have made decisions based on self which later placed us in a position to be hurt. (AA, pg 62)

So, in order not to be self-centered, we should focus more on ourselves, and all the things that we can do to make ourselves less "self-centered."

Does anyone see a problem here?

Resentment is the "number one" offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else. From it stem all forms of spiritual disease, for we have been not only mentally and physically ill, we have been spiritually sick.  (AA, pg 64)

Not self-centeredness, then, but "resentment" is now the "number one offender".

So what is it, then?

Frankly, resentment is a product of thinking the that world revolves around you, or more importantly that the world must cater to you, or that your peace and prosperity depends on how the world treats you. Resentment is borne of our sentiment that we need something, that someone else can and must provide that something, and that since they do not deliver, we hold a grudge against them.

The solution is not to "not be bitter", or even resentful, or to distract oneself with busy work, or "doing good deeds", even.

The solution is "Life, and that more abundantly."

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10: 10)

Jesus Christ gives us everything that we need, and more:\

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8: 31-32)

Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of Faith (Hebrews 12: 2), and He is head of all creation, and of the Body of Christ, and everything was created by Him and for Him (Colossians 1: 15-20)

Whatever need we may have, we find it in Him:

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13: 8)

Men and women on this earth have knowledge of their Creator within themselves:

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them" (Romans 1: 18-19)

Notice that the word "fear" is bracketed alongside the difficulties with Mr. Brown, Mrs. Jones, the employer, and the wife. This short word somehow touches about every aspect of our lives. It was an evil and corroding thread; the fabric of our existence was shot through with it. It set in motion trains of circumstances which brought us misfortune we felt we didn't deserve.(AA, pg 67)

From self-centeredness, to resentment, to fear, people in AA jump from issue to another, trying to figure out what is the problem in our lives.

The solution is not to fix ourselves, but rather to fix our hearts on Himself (Psalm 110: 1), and let His love pour in (Ephesians 3: 17-20) and redefine us (1 John 3: 1; 1 John 4: 17), that we may in turn love others (1 John 4: 19)

While AA creates the very problems which it claims to solve, Jesus Christ as Savior provides us all things, from life to every other need through His righteousness (Matthew 6: 33)