Unconditional Acceptance

Before recovery I approached self-improvement through willpower. I identified what was wrong with me and tried to fix it through determination. I made plans and set goals and resolved to do better. Sometimes it worked temporarily. But the changes never lasted because I was still relying entirely on myself.

Without true unconditional acceptance of Step Three the action of Step Six is impossible. This stopped me. I thought I'd done Step Three – I'd said the words turned things over made the decision. But had I truly accepted it unconditionally? Or was I still holding back trying to maintain control?

Step Six reveals whether my Step Three surrender was real. If I still believe I can remove my own character defects through willpower then I haven't truly accepted Step Three. If I'm still trying to control my own transformation then the surrender was conditional. But if I can become ready and trust God to do the removing – that's unconditional acceptance.

The Steps build on each other. Step Six can't work if Step Three was superficial. I need true unconditional acceptance of God's care before I can become entirely ready.

If I'm struggling with Step Six, I can revisit Step Three. Did I truly turn my will and life over unconditionally? Or am I still trying to control outcomes including the removal of my own defects? Genuine Step Three surrender makes Step Six possible.