Step 6 Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Newbie:
Thank you for listening to my 5th step last time, I did as it said in the book, and spent some quiet time praying and considering what I had written. I think that I am content that I have not omitted anything that is in my head right now - I do worry that I may have forgotten some things, but I am comforted by you saying that I can go back in Step 10’s in future if need be.
Sponsor:
Yes dear one - and we can go and do a step 4 at any time that we need to - my personal experience is that I still need to get out my list and put someone new on it from time to time - or to add something about someone already on my list. I find, the more I do this, the easier it becomes - it is almost automatic some times:)
Newbie:
Thank you dear Sponsor for sharing that, it helps to know that I am not terminally unique!
Sponsor:
OK Step 6 - this is what the Big Book says:
Big Book Page 76
If we can answer to our satisfaction, we then look at Step Six. We have emphasized willingness as being indispensable. Are we now ready to let God remove from us all the things which we have admitted are objectionable? Can He now take them all - every one? If we still cling to something we will not let go, we ask God to help us be willing.
Would you say you were ready?
Newbie:
I have looked at my list - selfishness, self seeking, controlling because of fear, dishonesty - yes I am ready to be rid of them!
Sponsor:
And what about "willingness" - are you willing that HP should remove them all - every one?
Newbie:
You ask hard questions sometimes dear sponsor!
Sponsor:
That’s my job:)
Newbie:
I am mostly willing, but the dishonesty thing - as we talked about, a lot of that was that I was dishonest by omission - sometimes trying to save myself from problems, and sometimes to keep from confronting others. Much of this was fear based - and that fear is still there! I can see now that the fear prayer is not as easy as I thought. I want to be willing! but it is sometimes hard!
Sponsor:
Remember what it says, in the Big Book just after the steps:
Big Book page 60:
Many of us exclaimed, "What an order! I can't go through with it." Do not be discouraged. No one among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence to these principles. We are not saints. The point is, that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines. The principles we have set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection.
Newbie:
Yes I see - thank you, yes I am not perfect, but I can do the best I can, where I am.
Sponsor:
And that is all any of us can do, one day at a time:) And we have another prayer here for step six don’t we?
Newbie:
Really? Oh I see - "
If we still cling to something we will not let go, we ask God to help us be willing." Yes, I can ask HP to help me to be willing!Sponsor:
Maybe we could say a prayer together? This is one I learnt from another fellowship...
Dear God,
I am ready for Your help
in removing from me the defects of character
which I now realise are an obstacle to my recovery.
Help me to continue being honest with myself &
guide me toward spiritual & mental health.
Newbie:
Thank you dear Sponsor, that is very helpful:)