12 Steps Series: Step Three

In this episode, we cover Step Three of the Twelve Steps Codependents’ Guide To The Twelve Steps, Melody Beattie STEP 3 - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God Quote #1 - “Many of us have confused ideas about what it means to surrender to the care of God. Anyone who has battled with control issues may have a hard time giving up, giving in, and letting go. Sometimes we surrender too much. We become victimized, we refuse to take care of ourselves, and we blame that on God.”(p46 Codependents’ Guide, M. Beattie) Quote #2 - “Before I began recovery, I was convinced my life was a mistake. Not only did I believe that I had little business being here, I didn’t believe there was any purpose for my life.”(p47 Codependents’ Guide, M. Beattie) Quote #3 - “We turn ourselves over to God’s care. Then we do our part by learning to take care of ourselves.”(p47 Codependents’ Guide, M. Beattie) Quote #4 - “If I am working my program, then I take the time to ask myself what I really feel, and what I really need.”(p48 Codependents’ Guide, M. Beattie) Quote #5 - “We can go to God as our source, our Creator, our inspiration, our guidance, our direction. And we hold ourselves responsible for our behavior and choices.”(p48 Codependents’ Guide, M. Beattie) Quote #6 - “God knows our hearts and God understands our healing needs. God understands the good that is waiting around the corner for us, the good that we can’t see yet. God sees the benefit in the lessons we’re learning, not just the turmoil, which is what we so often focus on. God can help us bring out the healer in ourselves.”(p49 Codependents’ Guide, M. Beattie) Quote #7 - “We do not have to look around us too long or too hard to find God’s will for us and our lives today. It is not hidden from the eye. God’s plan for us today is taking care of ourselves the way we want and choose, within the framework of what’s happening in our lives today... ”(p50 Codependents’ Guide, M. Beattie) Quote #8 - “Gratitude helps make things work out well. It helps us feel better while stressful things are happening. Then when things get good, it helps us enjoy the good. ”(p51 Codependents’ Guide, M. Beattie) Quote #9 - “Surrender doesn’t mean we’re helpless. It doesn’t mean we surrender to abuse or intolerable circumstances. It means we acknowledge these circumstances, then ask God to help us take care of ourselves in these circumstances.”(p52 Codependents’ Guide, M. Beattie) Quote #10 - “Things are being worked out in us. Things that we do not yet know about. Things we will see with the passage of time. Important changes are happening within us, as a result of our present circumstances...”(p54 Codependents’ Guide, M. Beattie) Quote #11 - “It does not mean we say yes to all that comes our way. It means we learn to trust when we want to say no, and then we say no. It also means we learn to trust when we want to say yes.”(p54 Codependents’ Guide, M. Beattie) Quote #12 - “This Step isn’t about mindlessness or selflessness. It’s about learning to trust my mind and trust that once I turn myself over to God, I will be guided by a Higher Power and Divine Wisdom. It’s about finding, valuing, loving, and trusting myself.”(p55 Codependents’ Guide, M. Beattie) Quote #13 - We let go. We say, “That’s it. I’m willing to let go of preconceived notions about what should happen. I’m willing to let go of my limitations, my agenda, my script, and my beliefs. I’m ready and willing to be open to what You have in mind for me. Now, just show me what that is. Let me know in a way I can understand.” (p55 Codependents’ Guide, M. Beattie) Quote #14 - “Trust this process. It will take us where we truly want and need to go - in Divine and perfect timing. Trust God’s plan, for it is better than ours. Trust ourselves...”(p57 Codependents’ Guide, M. Beattie)