For every problem, there is a solution!
As time goes by and as happy, joyous, and free as I feel most of the time, occasionally crossroads come up in my life such as frustration, indecision, physical pain or trauma, and a host of other conditions that merely living in this human experience brings. For every Goliath, we need a David.
I have heard all of the advice that is given since joining AA and most of it is given lovingly and may work in some situations. The problems can either be a white-knuckle situation or suddenly jumping out of nowhere.
At these times and for every Goliath, I can not remember the words to The Serenity Prayer. Surely not even how to effectively use the AA 3rd Step. My sponsors told me a long time ago to use the shortened version of the 3rd Step and simply say “God Help Me.”
The beauty is that, when I do, He does! This might take a little getting used to but is well worth whatever it takes to make it an automatic response. Having an addictive personality, I am addicted to anything and everything that makes me feel good. And, when I say “God, help me,” HE DOES!
Don’t set a plate of cookies in front of me and expect it to stay. Don’t let me buy a gallon of ice cream expecting it to last very long. Offer me a pill and tell me that if I take it I will no longer be an alcoholic and my first thought will be “I wonder what two will do!”
This all leads to what happened when I first started saying “God Help Me!” He did and I felt better and wanted more. Simply because that is just what I do — want more. So, I soon said “God Help Me” for darn near everything.
“God help me to drive this stretch of the road safely.” “God help me to say the right thing to this child who is having a problem.” “God help me to eat this meal without spilling it.” “God help me to take a good whatever!”
Soon, I began adding “Thank you, God” after everything good that happened to me or those around me. Today my life is filled with many more “Thank you, God” than “God Help Me.”
In this way, I can work my program closer to 24/7/365. Not just when at meetings, church, or on my best behavior. Soon the next right thing is not something that I have to seek. It just appears. If it appears, it is right.
This leads us to the answer to how do I know if I am doing God’s will or my will? If I feel right, it is God’s will. If I am apprehensive at all, I step back and maybe reconsider.
This is a very simple program for very complicated folks. So when I remember this, my life is filled with happiness, joy, and freedom. Not every day is filled with laughs, but I am happy because I am not in the madness anymore.
Joyful because as situations arise, I can now deal effectively with them. And free because I am not under the influence of a mind-altering substance anymore.
All this comes by merely saying “God Help Me” and letting Him do just that by staying out of His way. Thank you, God!
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