REZ

April 18


"I understand"

“We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.”

Step Seven

––––=––––

Once we are entirely ready to have our character defects removed, many of us are entirely ready! Ironically, that’s when the trouble really starts. The more we struggle to rid ourselves of a particular defect, the stronger that shortcoming seems to become. It is truly humbling to realize that not only are we powerless over our addiction, but even over our own defects of character.

Finally, it clicks. The Seventh Step doesn’t suggest that we rid ourselves of our shortcomings, but that we ask our Higher Power to rid us of them. The focus of our daily prayers begins to shift. Admitting our inability to perfect ourselves, we plead with our Higher Power to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. And we wait.

For many days, our program may stay on Step Seven. We may experience no sudden, total relief from defects—but we often do experience a subtle shift in our perceptions of ourselves and others. Through the eyes of the Seventh Step, we begin to see those around us in a less critical way. We know that, just like us, many of them are struggling with shortcomings they would dearly love to be rid of. We know that, just like us, they are powerless over their own defects. We wonder if they, too, humbly pray to have their defects removed.

We begin evaluating others as we have learned to evaluate ourselves, with an empathy born of humility. As we watch others, and as we keep watch on ourselves, we can finally say, “I understand.”

––––=––––

Just for today: God, help me see through the eyes of Step Seven. Help me understand.

REZ

Humility comes from trying to change myself without any help. Doesn't work.

Gmoney

The 7th step, at first glance, can appear to be a tricky one. Like the reading says, this step doesn't tell us to get rid of our defects on our own, but simply to ask our HP to do it for us. Yet...our responsibility of "practicing the program" allows us the opportunity to make subtle changes in our ideas, attitudes and behaviors.

It's kinda like the Serenity Prayer says: accept the things I cannot change and courage to change the things that I can...and there are things that I can change. The reading talks about how we experience a "shift in our perceptions of ourselves and others." This can only occur through practicing honesty, open-mindedness and willingness. Gradually, as our ideas (perceptions) change, so does our attitudes and the behaviors that result from them. As we continue to practice the prnciples of the program, over time they become second nature and require little or no thought to apply. Our character assets shine and our defects become arrested.

Somewhere in the literature it talks about how our character assets do not void out our character defects. For me, this is true because there have been numerous times when I've realized that a defect I thought was gone...wasn't. Although only our HP can remove our defects, we have the responsibility to arrest them through practicing spiritual principles.