The Sixth Step of Alcoholics Anonymous is, "Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character". The original draft of the Big Book used the word "willing" instead of the words "entirely ready". I found it helpful to incorporate both into my Sixth Step, so that I had the willingness to be entirely ready. As an alcoholic, giving up control is awkward and strenuous - I would rather apply some sort of cognitive therapy or behavioral modification to control my defects. But practicing that method is like applying a band-aid to a festering infection, it does nothing. Control of defects is not the snag, but rather that our human defects are not to exist in our behavior, as it is our defects that are keeping us from the perfection that God seeks in us. God seeks for us to be the human being that He created us to be, thereby able to maximize our human potential.
When we are in the will of God our human character defects, which exist only in our human nature, cannot possibly manifest themselves in our behavior.
Yes, I am willing to be entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character
Written By Armand
In the program of recovery, I learned that prior to understanding the intent and process of Steps Six and Seven, I was, in actuality, willing but not ready. As you point out, I had to somehow discern the difference. That discernment effort became available to me only by integrating all Twelve Steps into my life in such a way that I grew to understand. Letting go of fear is paradoxical as it is fear that kept me in bondage. Nonetheless, I hung on to it until I understood. If I can't let go of fear, I will never be ready. The awareness of The Power Within me provides the solution but I must do the work.
ReplyDeleteMichael the change in attitude necessary to surrender our defects is a gift from God provided to us through the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous...Thank you...Armand
ReplyDeleteArmand,
ReplyDeleteIn Step 5 we have admitted to God that our complete 'bucket list", both checked and unchecked, good and bad was ultimately inspired by a self centered reprobate mind immersed in insatiable appetites. Step 6 isn't so much an action that we perform but an awareness and witness to the deep and unspeakable change that has occurred in our heart, mind and spirit during the ongoing revelation of God's presence, mercy and love brought about by the previous Steps. The obsession is gone, the prison doors have been opened. Step 6 confirms our abandoned plans as we continue the ongoing surrender of our will and our lives to the One who has all power.
And, as said in a previous post, "We discover that the heretofore insurmountable and mysterious wall that once concealed the "Simple" in the "Program of AA" has been removed, completely swept away by the unseen Hand of God who created us to experience this very moment and ( in Step 7) many more yet to be discovered.” Almighty God, You have promised that if Your people will humble themselves and pray and seek Your face, You will answer our prayers and heal our land. You have called us to be salt in any bland neglect of our spiritual heritage and light in in the darkness of what contradicts Your vision for our lives and our nation. Give us courage to be accountable to You and Your Commandments. Help us to repent of the pride, selfishness and prejudice that so often contradict Your justice and righteousness in our society.
We all need a great and continual spiritual awakening. May this day be the beginning of that awakening and may that hunger for You sweep across this nation and the world.
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic a humbling of Ourselves to God in a complete and absolute way is necessary if we are to recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body...Thank you...Armand
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