Step Six was all about getting ready for God to remove our defects in order that He may help us to be all that He has created us to be. Step Seven now is simply and humbly coming before God in prayer and asking Him to remove every shortcoming that stands in the way between us and our God-Given Purpose.
Being a humble person is so important because without it it is pretty impossible to recognize our defects and to be people that can ask God to help us. I daily come to God in prayer in the morning and all throughout the day and ask God for His help now because I know that I know that I know that without Him I can do nothing. Within myself I am weak addicted and a total mess but In Christ I am strong confident courageous and an overcomer. I am set free from every attack that satan tries to bring against me because God is with me and for me.
Thank you to The Life Recovery Workbook by Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop for the following questions.
Clearing the Mess
Isaiah 57:12-191. Have I developed enough humility from my experiences in addiction to see that I need to let God work in my heart. Is there any doubt that self-reliance has kept God out.
2. Describe the difference between humiliation and humility.
Giving up Control
Jeremiah 18:1-61. Have I ever demanded to have circumstances changed for my benefit. When.
2. Have I ever become impatient with God’s timing in the process of changing my heart and character.
3. What keeps me from letting go so that God can shape my life better than I could ever imagine or create myself.
Pride Born of Hurt
Luke 11:5-13
1.Is it hard for me to ask anyone even God for help. What keeps me from sharing.
2. What experiences in my family of origin have brought about this self-sufficiency.
3. Have I held back from asking God for what I need because I am projecting my disappointments onto Him. Do I trust Him.
4. Am I willing to give up self-sufficiency and pride to persistently ask for God’s help in removing my shortcomings.
A Humble Heart
Luke 18:10-141. Have I ever compared my faults/problems/sins to blatant sins of others such as robbery/murder/adultery to justify avoiding deeper work on my own character defects. What does this do for me.
2. Have I ever justified myself because I attend church/sing in the choir/do service work. Do I judge others for their lack of participation or involvement.
3. After self-examination in Steps Four through Six have I been struggling with self-hatred and shame.
4. Do I realize that the “secret sins” of pride/judgement/comparison are just as serious as the more blatant ones.
5. Have addiction and adversities humbled me enough to open the door to God’s forgiveness.
Declared Not Guilty
Romans 3:23-28
1. Steps Six and Seven re one path to acceptance of this verse: all of us have fallen short not only of our own ideals but also of God’s glory. Have I been trying to “measure up” and show God that I can “be good” by doing good works. How have I tried to show him that I am okay.
2. Can I now trust in faith that Jesus will not only make up for my weaknesses but will also begin to remove shortcomings as I surrender humbly to his will. If not why.
Into the Open
Philippians 2:5-91. Have I disguised my addiction by covering it up with a good image. Have I hidden behind a good reputation.
2. Do I still fear that others will find out about my addiction. Will my pride be hurt if someone knows the extent of it. Am I willing to share it if it will help others.
3. Can I release to God my self-centered fears of being known and of losing my image. If so write a prayer to God expressing your desire to do so.
Eyes of Love
1 John 5:11-151. God already sees us as we will be when his work is done. Am I aware of any blocks that keep me from asking him into my heart to do that work. What are they.
2. Is my confidence in God’s willingness to remove my shortcomings renewed. How and why.
God Bless,
Nikki DuBose