The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Working Step 3: The reading discusses that sometimes Step 3, turning our will over to God as we understood Him, is repeated over and over. The writer says there is a reluctance to give in and as such problems are held on to for too long. The writer developed awareness that without HP, things may not work out so well. The writer would like to accept God's will sooner, Let Go and Let God, for a more fulfilling life.
Reminder: The writer asks if there is a situation in his/her life that should be turned over to HP instead of trying to control things by himself? Why not get help now?
Quote by Martin Luther: I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess.
In my present life circumstances, I am dealing with a family situation that brings me sadness, pain, and frustration. I find I start obsessing about it, until I remember that things will be resolved on God's time, not mine. I feel some relief when I turn it over. I can't control my family, only me. I can get re-focused on myself and that is the point after all. Lyne
Hi Lyne Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this important reading. The 3rd Step was a challenge to my recovery until, I finally accepted the fact that I was powerless over people places and things and that my best action was to let go of control and trust that HP had my my best interest in mind.
I have had to repeat the first 3 Steps often during my recovery journey as I could not force solutions ,control the uncontrollable when my son relapsed ,or my husband passed from cancer. Acceptance of life on life's terms was crucial to my working this step . I have come to accept that no matter what i will be given the courage, serenity and wisdom to handle life.
The third step was a big challenge for me, and I continue to come back to it when I feel stressed. I tend to struggle with wanting to be at my next phase before I am done with the current one. Lots of impatience, lots of forcing solutions. Thanks to my work in AlAnon, most of the time I can stop myself from actually forcing solutions with the desire to force a solution, which I recognize, acknowledge, and try to let go before I spring into action. repeating the third step is helpful to me, and a good reminder to follow the path that opens in front of me, instead of trying to power my way through an obstacle. I've started to ask myself: "does this feel hard?" and if it does, I take that a sign that I need a third step and I need to turn things over to HP.
Thanks for your service, and I hope you have a wonderful day!
__________________
Skorpi
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. - Lao Tzu
One of the prayers/helpful sayings that I use all the time is, "I can't, You can, I'll let you". 1st step, 2nd step and 3rd step. It feels lazy to not get so involved with fixing the issue/person, but with patience I can see that my HP was there all along.
