STEP SIX: After discovering my sinful habits and attitudes and confessing them,
I am now willing to let God change me.
2 Corinthians 1:7 When we see that you’re just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you’re going to make it, no doubt about it.
KEEP MOVING FORWARD!
Psalms 19:13 Keep me also from the sins I want to commit. May they not be my master. Then I will be without blame. I will not be guilty of any great sin against your law.
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous talks about us trying to find an easier, softer way. Human nature is to always take the easy least troublesome way.
You will not forget your past, but you no longer have to live there. There will be things you think about doing but won’t do because you now know better.
Thinking it isn’t doing it. Step six is about behavioral change. Thought change can take longer. I have had people come to me in recovery and say “I had a dream about drinking last night.” It happens. If you have suffered from alcohol addiction your body is used to being driven by alcohol. The same for drugs etc. The important thing is under no circumstances pick up the first one.
WORRYING IS CHOOSING NOT TO TRUST GOD
When we focus on our problems we get anxious, angry and resentful. But when we focus God and His goodness we find peace.
WORRY CAN BECOME HARMFUL IN OUR LIVES
When we focus on our problems it can damage our health, cause our problems to dominate our thoughts, disrupt other things that are happening in our lives, affect the way we treat others and reduce our ability to trust God.
WE NEED TO KEEP OUR PROBLEMS IN PROPER PERSPECTIVE
Planning in our lives is important! When done well planning can alleviate worry. Worrying is letting our problems interfere with our relationship with God and His plan for our lives.
Hebrews 12:2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed–that exhilarating finish in and with God–he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.
PRAYER FIXES OUR FOCUS
Matthew 6:6 “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.”
LISTENING TO JESUS FIXES OUR FOCUS
Matthew 17:17 Jesus said, “What a generation! No sense of God! No focus to your lives! How many times do I have to go over these things? How.”
CONCENTRATING ON GOD’S WILL FIXES OUR FOCUS
Romans 3:31 By shifting our focus from what we do to what God does, don’t we cancel out all our careful keeping of the rules and ways God commanded? Not at all. What happens, in fact, is that by putting that entire way of life in its proper place, we confirm it.
PUTTING OUR FAITH IN JESUS FIXES OUT FOCUS
Galatians 3:1 Have you taken leave of your senses? Something crazy has happened, for it’s obvious that you no longer have the crucified Jesus in clear focus in your lives. His sacrifice on the Cross was certainly set before you clearly enough.
Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart! Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they’re bursting with health. Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust. Proverbs 4:21-27
Psalms 4:4 When you are angry, do not sin. When you are in bed, look deep down inside you and be silent.
Anger can stop us from seeing or following God’s direction of character change.
My recommendation to everyone reading this is, don’t make life-changing decisions when you are angry.
Learn at night when you are alone and rested to consider what you think God is directing you to do. And, ask Him to confirm it for you before you make any major decisions on your future path. A sponsor told me in A.A. not to make any major life decisions in the first two years of the recovery process. I don’t agree with that. I do suggest before you make any major decisions discuss them with someone you trust.
Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.”
Matthew 12:36-37
Philippians 3:15 So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision–you’ll see it yet!
KEEP MOVING FORWARD!
GOD IS WATCHING US: Philippians 1:27 Live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not. Your conduct must be the same whether I show up to see things for myself or hear of it from a distance. Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people’s trust in the Message, the good news.
