Step 3: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives our to the care of God as we understood Him."
This is probably the biggest, most important decision I have made and will ever make in my life. I had admitted I was powerless over alcohol several times in the past, but I never got much further than that, would drop out of AA, and start drinking again. Hearing other people talk about their Higher Power in meetings was a turn-off for me and I thought that AA was a religious cult trying to brainwash people. I thought there was no way I was going to give my power and ability to think for myself away to those bunch of weaklings. I think I really had trouble believing in any HP because I had lost my faith over the years because of things which happened in my life and with the drinking, bad things kept happening, and I think I blamed God. Anyway, for me this step is a life saver and I actually felt a big sense of relief once I turned my will and my life over to my HP. I had made such a mess of my life and it was (is) comforting to know I have help and don't have to run the show in my own life anymore. For months I have been thanking my HP for keeping me sober the day before and asking for His help to keep me sober today. (Although I never have been a beauty contestant, I always pray for World Peace, too. )
A few months into my sobriety, I added to my daily prayers and asked for His help and to guide me throughout the day. I also just started saying the Third Step Prayer everyday, which we say in one of the meetings I attend and I still don't know all the words, but am learning. (I have always had horrible memorization skills, and I have to either write things down over and over or say them over and over before they sink in.) The Serenity Prayer, which we say in a lot of the meetings, is one I usually think of saying when I find myself getting upset at myself or someone else and I have found it has a very calming effect on me.
Anyway, for me this step is a life saver and I actually felt a big sense of relief once I turned my will and my life over to my HP. I had made such a mess of my life and it was (is) comforting to know I have help and don't have to run the show in my own life anymore.
This is a vital (absolutely necessary or important; essential.) and crucial (Extremely significant or important) step BTY....But the way I understand it....We've only made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God...As we understood Him. The way we actually do that...Is to face and remove what is blocking us from God. That we do in steps 4 through 9.
Though our decision was a vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once followed by a strenuous effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in ourselves which had been blocking us. Our liquor was but a symptom. So we had to get down to causes and conditions.
BB pg 64
-- Edited by Stepchild on Tuesday 21st of January 2014 10:16:28 AM
Hi BTY, ... sounds to me like you're right where you need to be for today ... BUT Stepman has made an excellent point here ... steps 4 thru 9 are in place to remove the barriers that keep us from getting close to our HP ... and for me, as I neared the end of these particular steps, THAT is when I had a striking and profound revelation ... call it an 'awakening' if you wish, but everything that was clouding my mind and my thoughts suddenly disappeared and things became crystal clear to me ... as I reflected on this revelation, I thought, 'damn', this thing really works ... hot dog-gone, I'm getting better AND I'm starting to enjoy life at last ... thank you Lord and AA for showing me 'the way' ... ... ...
Oh yeah, there's still a few pot holes in the road that I hit now-and-again, but I have my AA spiritual 'tool kit' with me to help get past the rough spots ... it's great ... it works if I work it ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Great posts, guys! I think I realize the importance of Step 4 and the rest that follow, but had I not believed in Step 3, I would never get to Step 4 and the rest of them and that is what I meant by it being so important to me for now. I think I will appreciate the rest of the steps more once I work each one.
Hi BTY, glad you finally got through Step 3. Those were words of surrender. Step Four is an act of surrender. Go for it! Don't hold anything back! Blessings to you, Mike D.
That's good to see BTY.....I'm not real sure what kind of relationship you have with your sponsor. You don't talk much about her....But if you have questions....Use the wealth of information you have here. It's like a pocketful of sponsors and it's open 24/7....You might as well take advantage of it.
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