Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.
Proverbs 24:16
Do you know the story of Bill Wilson? He’s the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. Bill and his sister were abandoned by their parents shortly after he was born and raised by his grandparents. Despite his rebellious nature and struggles with depression, he went to study at Norwich University where he met his wife Lois. Wilson was nearly expelled on several occasions for excessive drinking and a hazing incident gone wrong, but went on to graduate then enlisted in the army to fight in WW1. After he returned from the war, he married Lois and went to study in law school. He was never able to complete law school because he was too drunk to attend his own graduation. He went on to run his own business, but his constant drinking made it impossible for him to continue and permanently tarnished his reputation. Wilson had been committed to a New York hospital four times for his uncontrollable drinking, and it was during his fourth stay that he had a “religious experience” through the support of his former drinking buddy Ebby who overcame his drinking as a result of his faith and Christian small group. Wilson joined this small group that was his primary source of support and accountability to keep him sober. This small group eventually grew to be several small groups across the East Coast with hundreds of members, which evolved into the Alcoholics Anonymous we know today.
Through Bill’s failures, recovery, and faith, he was able to bring healing to millions of people. Thank God for Bill’s failures.
“In God’s economy, nothing is wasted. Through failure, we learn a lesson in humility which is probably needed, though painful it is.”
–Bill Wilson
