Discovering a Loving Higher Power: How God and the 12 Steps Changed My Life

In the rooms of Al-Anon, I discovered something profound—a journey guided by a loving Higher Power. It all began when I admitted that I needed help beyond my own understanding. Through the 12 Steps and the support of my sponsor and fellow members, I found a path illuminated by God’s grace.

Step One: Admitting Powerlessness My journey began with admitting that I couldn’t control everything in my life. It was a humbling realization but also a freeing one. I learned that surrendering to a Higher Power meant letting go of my need to control outcomes and instead trusting in God’s plan for me.

Step Two: Believing in a Higher Power At first, believing in a Higher Power felt daunting. I wasn’t sure where to start or how to connect with something beyond myself. But as I listened to others’ stories and saw their faith in action, I began to believe that a loving God was there, guiding me through each step of recovery.

Step Three: Turning My Will Over to God Turning my will over to God was a pivotal moment. It meant releasing my fears and doubts and allowing God to lead the way. Through prayer and reflection, I started to see that God wasn’t just a distant figure but a loving presence actively involved in my life.

Step Four: Taking a Moral Inventory Taking a moral inventory allowed me to confront my past mistakes and shortcomings. It wasn’t easy to face my flaws, but with God’s guidance, I learned to forgive myself and others. I discovered that God’s love was unconditional, accepting me as I am and helping me grow.

Step Five: Admitting Wrongs Admitting my wrongs to God, myself, and another person was a transformative experience. It brought a sense of relief and liberation, knowing that I was no longer carrying the weight of my mistakes alone. Sharing my journey with a trusted friend or sponsor helped me see how far I’d come and gave me the courage to continue forward.

Step Six: Being Ready for God to Remove Defects Being ready for God to remove my defects of character required patience and faith. It wasn’t an overnight process, but with each step, I felt lighter and more aligned with God’s will. I realized that God’s timing was perfect and that true change came from surrendering to His guidance.

Step Seven: Humbly Asking God to Remove Shortcomings Humbly asking God to remove my shortcomings was an act of humility and trust. It meant acknowledging that I couldn’t fix everything on my own and accepting God’s help. Through prayer and meditation, I found strength in surrendering to God’s will and allowing Him to work in my life.

Step Eight: Making a List of Those I Harmed Making a list of people I had harmed was a step towards healing and reconciliation. It required courage to acknowledge the pain I had caused others and a willingness to make amends where possible. God’s love helped me approach this process with compassion and a genuine desire to repair relationships.

Step Nine: Making Direct Amends Making direct amends to those I had harmed was a deeply humbling experience. It allowed me to take responsibility for my actions and seek forgiveness with sincerity. God’s grace gave me the courage to face my past mistakes and make things right, restoring trust and healing wounds.

Step Ten: Continuing to Take Personal Inventory Continuing to take personal inventory and promptly admitting when I was wrong became a daily practice. It helped me stay accountable and aware of my actions, allowing God to guide me in making better choices. I learned that spiritual growth was an ongoing journey, requiring honesty and self-reflection.

Step Eleven: Seeking Through Prayer and Meditation Seeking through prayer and meditation deepened my connection with God. It became a source of comfort and guidance, especially during challenging times. I discovered that God’s presence was always available, offering wisdom and peace when I turned to Him in prayer.

Step Twelve: Carrying the Message to Others Carrying the message to others was a natural extension of my journey. By sharing my experience, strength, and hope, I found purpose in helping others find their own path to recovery. God’s love inspired me to be of service and show compassion to those who were still struggling.

Through the 12 Steps and my relationship with a loving Higher Power, I’ve come to believe that God is more interested in our development than our arrival. Each step has been a lesson in faith, humility, and the transformative power of God’s love. Today, I continue to walk this journey with gratitude, knowing that God’s guidance is always with me, helping me grow into the person He created me to be.

I love you I hope you are having the time of your life you deserve it - you gottawanna love and be at peace.