November 1st

From Wisdom for Today:

Surrender is more than simply understanding that I can’t run the show my way anymore. Understanding that I am an addict and an alcoholic and that my way doesn’t work does not produce change. Insight, knowledge and understanding do nothing if I don’t change my behavior. Surrender is something I must do behaviorally. Simply saying I give up is not enough. I must become willing, open and honest in my surrender to a Higher Power.

What this means is that I constantly must seek out advice and suggestions from others in the program and then evaluate each of the ideas I receive. I must ask myself, “What would God want me to do?” I must become willing to let go and follow the suggestions I get. When my behavior and thinking are in line with God’s will for me, then I know that I have truly surrendered. Sometimes this means doing things and making choices that go against what I want. Yet what I want cannot be important if it goes against what my Higher Power would want for me. Does my behavior show that I have really surrendered?

Meditations for the Heart

Spirit power comes from spending quiet time in prayer and meditation. I always need to ask God, “What do you want me to do?” I need to listen to my head and heart to find this answer. When my head and heart both agree with what I know God would want me to do, then I know that I have the answer I need. Particularly early on in my recovery, I found that many of the answers I got were not the answers I wanted to hear. But if I was going to really surrender my will, I needed to put these answers into action. I have always been amazed when I do this.
The outcome of surrender has always been positive for me. This does not mean the process was easy; in fact, often times it was very hard. But each time I let go and turn my will and my life over to the care of God, I find that I am made stronger. I find that I am able to handle the things that used to baffle me. Do I spend time each day seeking to be Spirit-powered?

Petitions to my Higher Power

God,
It is so easy for me to get off track when I don’t listen for Your direction in my life? Today give me ears to hear Your “still, small voice” and the willingness to follow Your instruction. Help me to understand that the only way that I can find freedom is to surrender to Your will.
Amen.