Step Three...Decision - Will & Life...

….How can I turn MY will and MY life over to this God I really don’t understand fully ??? I need to keep in mind that this is not a religious program. However, if religion helps than I’m all for it. So back to that question..How ? For me its very simple. I’m known to complicate things so simplicity is the key. First this step calls for a DECISION. This means ACTION. What action? Well, make a commitment to work ALL 12 steps with a sponsor who has a good program themselves…Also I need to keep my mind OPEN to new ideas other than MY own.. Will and Life is simply my thinking and behavior….. Faith, willingness, and surrender are principles to practice…My sponsor once told me….”WE need to LIVE OUR way into better thinking” not think our way in better living…..So what is Gods Will ?…GO to a meeting, call someone, look for a job, get up early for school, GO to work, clean the house…lol ….You get the idea right !! SELF-WILL RUN RIOT does NOT WORK for me…So turn my will and life over to God as I really try to understand Him or Her if you like….This is a great journey and the first three steps will help me get through the rest of the steps…Hey…. you guys told me its not about perfection but progress…Action…that what this step calls for…However, I always seem to fall short…FEAR…always seems to creep in….
This step for me is my development and belief in my Higher Power which I choose to call G.O.D…If you like… Good Orderly Direction. This step can cause some of us to fall back into our old ways…ie addictions… because the word God and maybe our experiences with the self -righteous ones…You know the ones who have all the answers…Well, Im far from knowing anything other than what Ive learned and religion has nothing to do with these steps. You can be for or against any way. The thing is that we find a way that works for us…Prayer…. can be just thinking positive thoughts or kneeling down before The Almighty. My first sponsor was an atheist and he spoke to me about God…His God was written so simply that we can follow this Power in our daily life…Spiritual Principles was how he was living…Which are the steps. Keep in mind that this isnt the “ONLY WAY”…It just has helped me…So, with that being said…the 3rd step calls for belief and faith to work. I start with prayer to find out what it is that I believe God wants me to do next. The answers are simple. The third step principles are faith, willingness, surrender…etc..Now with my commitment in this step I move to step four…..

Neurontin - I applaud your efforts in challenging your addiction. Some do struggle with the 12 step program which has the basic core religious belief system and yes it works so well for some. If a person has personal issues from their past where they struggle with this concept, there are other programs that cater to this. Are you a member of the 12 step program? Here's a link for a good non secular group:

http://lifering.org/about-lifering/

my sponsor gave me these wise words when i couldn't decipher my will vs. my higher power's will for me. she said, "when in doubt, don't."
i am happy for you neurontin. you're on a great journey to a new life of sobriety. i hope my simplistic response may be of assistance to you. "easy does it."

First three Steps are the foundation to build our Recovery On...Just wanted to bring these threads back back to life....