Recognizing that we might need a little help getting back on track in our lives, we come to a weird place. In order to make our lives more manageable, and to have some control, we need to give up control. What a paradox!

“Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” Step 3 Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Of course, it is common for us to want to fight the turning of our will over. I mean what has God done for us? Is He going to be making our dentist appointments? I think not. I believed in God but really felt that God only helped those that helped themselves, That one should turn to God only when absolutely necessary. God was the last resort.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39 NIV

I was wrong. When we make the decision to turn our will and our lives over to God, we are not asking the Lord to be our secretary. It is up to us to live. We must make our appointments, decide what to eat, what job to take, and so on. The decision must be acted upon. What we can do is seek God’s will for us.

By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. – John 5:30 NIV

How do we know what God’s will is? When I indulged in Self-Will, what I want, when I want it, and how I want it, become more important than any other thing. Self-Will leaves a path of destruction without any consideration for those around us. When I spend time asking for the Lord’s will, when I pause for the answer, I find that my life becomes easier. It is easier to let go of what others are doing, I can accept all those things I have no control over, and it is easier to change those things I can. By letting Go and Letting God, life becomes manageable.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

God, I offer myself to Thee

To build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt.

Relieve me of the bondage of self,

that I may better do Thy will.

Take away my difficulties,

that victory over them

may bear witness to those I would help of

Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of Life.

3^rd Step prayer page 63 BB