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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Third Step: an investigating of what it means to turn it over.
Post Info TOPIC: Third Step: an investigating of what it means to turn it over.
StarkRavingSober


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Third Step: an investigating of what it means to turn it over.
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Greetings!

I am new to this forum, and have joined because I'd like more perspective. Every time I do a third step, my sponsor gives me this assignment. "Ask as many people as it takes to accumulate 300 years how they know they're doing God's will."

As an alcoholic who has answered this question, it's a nice reminder of my daily recovery practices. As an alcoholic who has asked this question hundreds of times, I am unsure that God's will is simply " that gut feeling." So far I've gathered 280 years worth of responses.

I have been sober for 12 years, and here is how I would answer that question today: I can trust that doing God's will means acting and responding with love. If my actions are based off of fear, they are likely my will. It FEELS like I'm doing God's will when I am not fighting to make something work. 

So now I ask you, how long have you been sober? How do you know you're doing God's will?

I am very excited to read your responses. 

 

Thank you!

 

Sara



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Visionz


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God's Will to me is giving up my judgemental nature. When I put a conscious effort into stepping down off the throne of judgement, situations are a helluva lot easier to handle and the result is always less stressful. And you are correct. When coming from a place of love, the judgement machine that exists within me grinds to a screeching halt.

 

Awesome topic.

 



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Mystic Man


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Welcome to MiP Sara . Yes . Step 3 is one of those paradoxical thingee's.

It tells me to. Make a decision , to hand over . I DO that Everyday . My sponsor told me early.

If . I am not harming myself , if I am not harming anybody else , if I am not doing damage to anything.

Than it is probably ok to do it . For me . It was after I Started to develop a conscience & started to Wake,

from my unconsciousness . Yes , I started to feel too . So , if it felt right , if I was not harming me , if I was not

harming you , if I was not damaging anything . Then . It was probably ok to do what I had in mind.

He also told me this joke . "A man had promised his God he would faithfully follow his word & do whatever his

God wanted of him . For many years he had a fruitfull life . One day it started to rain , it kept raining & started to flood.

The water kept rising & the man knew his God would look after him . The water rose & the man climbed out onto his roof.

A rescue boat came . The man said no , go & help others . My God is going to look after me . The water rose more

A helicopter came , again the man said no , go and help others . The man drowned . When he got to heaven , he said

to his God . I followed you & did your will for me & this is what you did to me . God said to the man . I sent you a boat

& a helicopter . What else do you want" Even after 30yrs of sobriety I remember them & ask myself .

"What would Love do" & for Thirty years I have carried the 3rd ,7th , 11th & Serenity prayer card in my wallet & I read

them regularly. Sara I hope this Is of help.



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John R
MarcLacroix


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Only God knows Why God does What God does.
We are often reminded that God is always in control so we are doing His will whether we want to or not. :)
How do you like them apples?

Marc


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Fyne Spirit


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I only ever made the third step decision once, and then put it into effect by working the remaining steps. The practical aspect of seeking and trying to live by God's will is something I use step eleven for. I may seek guidance and inspiration as I face different situations during the day, but I also spend a few moments talking to God about the day ahead. In meditation, something I am not all that disciplined about, I find it good to write down any thoughts that come.

Then I can apply a simple test for each idea or thought. Is it loving, is it honest, is it selfless, is it pure? If it meets that standard, it is a good bet I am on the right track. On the other hand, if it is selfish, dishonest, lacks integrity, or is based on fear, then it is probably my will, and nothing good will come of it. 

These ideas I picked up reading about Back to Basics, and their little pamphlet How to Listen to God. Very useful I remember asking that very question in my first meetings. Pity that pamphlet had been lost at the time.



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Fyne Spirit

Walking with curiosity.
MarcLacroix


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I think I have a 'Back To Basics' piece somewhere in my pages.
Quite Possibly here: www.weekendwinnerworkshop.org/Litterature.php

Marc


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Afella


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"Word comes to me that you are making a magnificent stand in adversity. This adversity being the state of your health. It gives me a chance to ex press my gratitude for your recovery in A.A. and especially for the demonstration of its principles you are so inspirinigly giving to us all."

-A.B.S.I  p. 221

...then it is explained that the other steps of the program can be practiced with success only when Step Three is given a determined and persistent trial. To make this increasingly possible is the purpose of A.A.'s Twelve Step, and Step Three opens the door.

12x12 p. 40



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Afella


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MarcLacroix wrote:

I think I have a 'Back To Basics' piece somewhere in my pages.
Quite Possibly here: www.weekendwinnerworkshop.org/Litterature.php

Marc

 Hi,
Thank you for the link to "back to basics" I went in last night and read it...really good stuff. Thank you Marc Lacroix.



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