God’s Power: Alcoholics Anonymous Step #6

STEP 6―

Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

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What does it take to be “entirely ready” to have God, the master surgeon, remove all our “defects of character” that are ruining our lives? No one likes the idea of surgery because even though the end result may be extremely beneficial, we all know there will be pain during the recovery period

I believe we become “entirely ready” when the hurtful pain of the past is greater than our fear of the healing pain in the future.

In the book, As Bill Sees It, on page 109 it states:

We admitted we couldn’t lick alcohol with our own remaining resources, and so we accepted the further fact that dependence upon a Higher Power (if only our A.A. group) could do this hitherto impossible job. … We neither ran nor fought. But accept we did. And then we began to be free.

Get ready. Get set. Go.

Be free.

Defects of Character

I can’t change myself,
It’s true.
So my defects of character
I now give to You.

You have the Power
To ease all my pain
To remove all the dirt
Erase all my shame.

You have the power
To make my wrongs right
To calm my broken heart
To give me new sight.

You have the power
To cleanse me from sin
To bring peace to my soul
To now help me win.

You have the power
To heal me with grace
To lift all my burdens
To grant me the race.

So, take me by the hand
And lead me along.
With You by my side,
I know I’ll be strong.

I can’t change myself,
It’s true.
But I know I can change—
With You.

(An excerpt from God’s Power— Embracing the 12 Steps)