Al-Anon daily reflection ·

Acceptance in God's Time

Whether someone accepted or rejected my amends was none of my business.

Paths to Recovery, p. 99

I remember the overwhelming relief after making a particularly difficult financial amend. I wanted the immediate emotional reward of the other person saying, 'Thank you, I forgive you.' Instead, I got a cool, business-like receipt. My ego was crushed. I felt like the hard work hadn't counted.

I had to learn that whether someone accepted or rejected my amends was none of my business. My business was my integrity. Their acceptance comes in God’s time, not mine. The spiritual cost here is relinquishing the need for immediate gratification and external validation. The vulnerability is accepting that my best effort might still be met with skepticism. But when I let go of the result, I free myself from their reaction. My recovery rests on my action, not their response.

Practice

When I worry about a future conversation, I can write down three sentences: 'I will do my part. I cannot control their response. I leave the result to God.' I will read this before and after the interaction.

Today’s Reminder

True amends grant me freedom, whether or not they grant me forgiveness.

More on acceptance

Explore further

Written by people with lived experience of someone else’s drinking who practice the Twelve Step program of recovery. Published by Daily Growth, LLC.

The actual Daily Paths app: today’s reflection, journal, and daily tools

The Daily Paths app

Make room for yourself,
every day.

A daily reflection. A place for your thoughts. Small ways to bring the focus back to you.

Get the Daily Reflection in your inbox.

Sign up to receive a daily email with the Daily Reflection and a link to an article worth reading.

We’ll send a link to confirm your address. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy