"dif" in the Big Book

That the man who is making the approach has had the same difficulty, that he obviously knows what he is talking about, that his whole deportment shouts at the new prospect that he is a man with a real answer, that he has no attitude of Holier Than Thou, nothing whatever except the sincere desire to be helpful; that there are no fees to pay, no axes to grind, no people to please, no lectures to be endured—these are the condi­

If a sufficiently strong reason—ill health, falling in love, change of environment, or the warning of a doctor—becomes operative, this man can also stop or moderate, although he may find it difficult and troublesome and may even need medical attention.

Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life.

Notice that the word “fear’’ is bracketed alongside the difficulties with Mr. Brown, Mrs. Jones, the employer, and the wife.

This is perhaps difficult—especially discussing our defects with another person.

As we look over the list of business acquaintances and friends we have hurt, we may feel diffident about going to some of them on a spiritual basis.

Make it plain he is under no obligation to you, that you hope only that he will try to help other alcoholics when he escapes his own difficulties.

If he is not interested in your solution, if he expects you to act only as a banker for his financial difficulties or a nurse for his sprees, you may have to drop him until he changes his mind.

difficult thing to do, but it must be done if any results are to be expected.

The story of how you and your wife settled your difficulties is worth any amount of criticism.

We want to leave you with the feeling that no situation is too difficult and no unhappiness too great to be overcome.

Oddly enough, he is often difficult to deal with.

We know these suggestions are sometimes difficult to follow, but you will save many a heartbreak if you can succeed in observing them.

Still another difficulty is that you may become jealous of the attention he bestows on other people, especially alcoholics.

That is why we are anxious that you understand, and that you avoid these unnecessary difficulties.* So to you out there who may soon be with us—we say “Good luck and God bless you!”

We know there are difficult wives and families, but the man who is getting over alcoholism must remember he did much to make them so.

We do not know of many cases where this difficulty lasted long.

I pointed out that I had had nothing to drink whatever for three years, and this in the face of difficulties that would have made nine out of ten men drink their heads off.

If this presents difficulty, re-reading chapters two and three, where the alcoholic sickness is discussed at length might be worth while.

These juniors are often in a difficult position.