I’m entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character
Are you ready? Entirely ready? This step sounds rather intimidating! I’ve worked hard to build up these defense mechanisms! God is just going to take them all away? How do I know I’ll be ok without them?
This step isn’t an action, it’s about a mindset change. We’ve already made a list of attributes that we don’t like or that are damaging to our relationships – but these things are learned behaviors. It took me 50 years to get here! I’m not going to just let it all go!
Every previous step has required us to take an action – admitting powerlessness, believing in a higher power, believing that higher power can help, taking a fearless look at ourselves, and admitting all these things to others. After recognizing our defects, we now have to come to an understanding that we are not alone in this process! We need help! And that’s where God comes in. We will feel great some days and the work seems easy. Other times, difficult relationships can make us feel like we are backsliding – and we can look to God for help. Understand that removal simply means a separation from something – that can be temporary! Be gentle with yourself and continue to turn struggles over to God.
When I find myself replaying conversations or interactions over and over again, I know I need help. When I find my anxiety ramping up because of anticipating a difficult conversation or meeting with someone I don’t want to meet with, I need help! When I find myself trying to control a situation or someone else’s behavior, I need help! I don’t need to obsess, worry or control anything.
Step 6 is not an action, it’s a mindset. Deciding what’s not serving you and deciding you need help is just that. You just decide. You will return to this step over and over.
