Growth comes when we stretch our peace and serenity
Today, we will add to our spiritual and emotional growth. How? By using the shortened version of the AA 3rd Step. This is done by simply saying “God, help me.” And then step aside and let Him! Simple but, admittedly, not easy.
So, how do we achieve growth after asking for help?
Step 3 states “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” Those who have seen our other articles know that the 3rd Step is a very basic, important part of the growth of my program of practicing these principles in all my affairs.
Recently, I was talking with a good friend who asked for my professional opinion on a topic that was personal to him. My first thought was the shortened version of the 3rd Step. So I said to myself “God help me” and asked what the question was.
I did not know in my head what the answer would be but absolutely feeling and knowing in my guts that the response would be proper. BTW, this is more growth on my part.
Does this mean that I always have the answers or actions that are factually correct? No! It means that I have spoken or acted as truthfully and correctly as I could have at the time.
“But how do I turn my will and life over to my Higher Power?” I completely surrender myself to the Power of the universe that created everything that is in it. So, how can this Creator guide me to growth or any way but correctly?
When I came into AA, I saw people who I had known in the past to be spiritually, emotionally, and morally bankrupt become happy, joyful persons who only wanted to share it with me so that I could be free too. This is growth for us all!
All it took was surrender. “I never surrendered or gave into anyone or anything willingly in my life so why do you think that I should, all of a sudden, do it now to an entity that I can not even see?”
Great question! This is where the opposite of fear enters. The opposite of fear is not bravery or guts or courage, it is FAITH.
What is Faith? It is the absolute KNOWING that the results are going to be ok. How do I know that the results are going to be ok? I look at, listen to, and copy people who I meet in AA who have BEEN THERE and personify the growth they have achieved.
How do I do this? I may have to fake it ‘till I make it for a while. But, if I do it with all of my heart, I will soon see that it works if I work it.
“How do I know that it will work for me? I have tried it before and it didn’t.” That is because, before, I did not completely surrender to this very simple program for very complicated folks.
As soon as I surrendered I was able to easily turn my will and life over to the care of my Higher Power. Because I am prone to dissecting EVERYTHING, I must remember to use this 3rd Step, not only before tough decisions, but also in ALL parts of my daily life.
Not just when I am attending a meeting and looking for something to say that might impress someone else.
“Wonderful, magical things can happen if you are willing to commit to putting yourself out there, stepping outside your comfort zones, playing at the game of risk. It feels like risk. It feels like playing without a net. But when you make a commitment, you’re never playing without a net — because God is your net.” Edwene Gaines
Now, what do I do? JUST DO IT! The choice is yours. Choose wisely! Thank You, God!
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