Questions to ask yourself while working Step 6

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Step Six ~ Part 1: Questions

"Became entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character."




In Steps 4 and 5, we learned that we have many defects of character, many traits that harm us in our relations with ourselves, other people, and our Higher Power. Hopefully, we have also discovered and listed our many assets, traits that help us in these relationships. Often, a character defect is an asset running wild or in the wrong direction. For example, a strong sense of justice can become self-righteousness or resentment at what seems unfair but may sometimes just be things not going our way. Kindness can turn to excessive people pleasing.

It is important to recognize that we can't get rid of our character defects on our own. This may take us some time and effort to recognize.

1. Do I believe I can overcome and remove my character defects by myself? Why or why not?

2. Do I like certain of my character defects, find them useful or necessary? If so, which defects and why? What purpose do they serve?

3. If it is too daunting to consider living without what may seem to be protective character defects, can I be willing this week to consider what life might be like without one of them? More than one? Is it not knowing what I will be like without them that makes it hard to be ready to have them removed?


4. Ask yourself: Do I trust the process? Do I trust that Higher Power can and will remove my character defects in a loving, healing way?

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Step Six ~ Part 2: Questions

"Became entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character."


1. Do I frequently sabotage my attempts to examine defects of character? so, why?

2. Do my character defects bother me enough to want to let them go?

3. Could I become willing to have a Higher Power control my behaviors, lovingly guide me to choose loving, life-giving behaviors? Can I imagine who I might be without the character defects that hold me back and get in my way?

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Step Six ~ Part 3: Questions

"Became entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character."




1. When I was younger I fantasized future goals, qualities I wanted to be mine. How close am I to realizing them? What particular defects might be preventing me from achieving my goals? While these defects may have helped me deal with intolerable past situations, they may no longer be appropriate today.

2. Now that I am beginning to live in freedom from active alcoholism, do I start to see that I can live out my dearest dreams and receive more, much more waiting to be given to me by my Higher Power? Am I willing to trust that, just as Higher Power can and does and will relieve my alcoholism, so can Higher Power remove my character defects? Am I beginning to see the grandeur of Higher Power's plan for my life?

3. Do I recognize that it is in Higher Power's time, not mine, to remove my defects? That most likely it will not happen overnight?

4. Am I willing to do the recovery work that makes me receptive to Higher Power's guidance?

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Step Six ~ Part 4: Questions

"Became entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character."




1. Am I willing to change, to be changed, the essence of step six? Am I willing not to cling to the past, not to chose past behaviors, to be instead like a pioneer, a voyager in inner space?

2. As we move toward the end of this focus on step 6, where are we now? Are we entirely ready to have God remove all our character defects? If not, what blocks us today, right now?

3. Do I recognise and accept the value of trying to achieve the perfection implied in this step? Of realizing God is a power greater than I am who can remove my defects each day, yet will not unless asked?

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