Step Three - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.
From: How Al-Anon Works - pg 50. (copyright 1995, by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Limited use by express written permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.)
We made a decision, a committment to take all of our concerns and feelings, worries, fears, resentments, loves, dreams, wiahes, thoughts, choices, and relationships - in short, our will and our lives - and place them in the care of the God of our understanding. We don't have to figure anything out, know what the results will be, or even feel comfortable letting go of our efforts to control. All we need do is make a decision. By making such a committment, we stop setting ourselves up for the failure we have known in the past when we've tried to manipulate people and events that were beyond our control. Instead, we make the decision to "turn it over".
Love in Recovery - Dot
dot said
Jun 11, 2005
Step three - Made a decision to turn our will and out lives over to the care of God as we understood him.
Not being a religious person, this step was a major stumbling block in my recovery. I struggled but my will kept getting in the way.
An AA friend suggested I kneel down and say the 3rd Step prayer from the AA Big Book and once I did that to go on with the Steps. Unless I knelt down and took my will and life back, my Higher Power had it.
This helped me understand that this Step was just a stepping stone to a better life. I had a lot of work to do and that meant going on with the action Steps (4 - 9) - will power alone wouldn't do it. I had to be willing to ask for help every morning and say thank you at night - and to make a lot of changes in me.
I began to feel that my Higher Power was always with me - was there to guide me as long as I asked for help and then got out of the way.
I can still get in the way but I ask for another day of serenity every morning and if I want that serenity it means I need to take the guidance my Higher Power is always willing to give me if I listen.
Love and hugs - Dot