Step Seven – Humbly ask Him to remove our shortcomings

In step six we become ready for changes. In step seven we ask for help with these changes. We open ourselves to change asking for help from the Lord. We need to trust that God has this. We come to realize that we cannot control this anymore and the only way out is giving it over to God. To me it’s a very humbling experience.   Many of us probably experienced this when we stopped our choice of addiction, we could NOT stop on our own but through God’s strength we were able to keep going and stop using.  This helps us give up those patterns of addiction, we are now more aware of those triggers and we give them all up to the LOrd.  I love the word Humility – With humility comes Wisdom.  ” But He gives more grace. Therefore it says God opposed the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6  ” Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. ”  James 4:10  There are many great scriptures on humility. 

With humility we can say this is what we have done and we don’t judge ourselves for it. To me forgiveness was huge in my recovery. Not just forgiveness for others but for me forgiving myself. In step seven we humbly ask God to remove our shortcomings. In AA the seventh step prayer says ” Here I am, just as I am, in all my strength and limitations. I am ready and willing to change my old patterns when the time is right. I have done the footwork, and now I need your help to live differently. What can I do to cooperate with life and be the best I can be?”  I like this prayer but you can create your own prayer that fits for you.  I also like the serenity prayer ”  God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” This prayer helps us see that we cannot do this on our own. and some things don’t always go our way, but that with Him it gives me the courage to change the things I can do. 

Step seven is about acceptance.  Accepting ourselves for who we are now in recovery. This sets into motion change within ourselves. This is not the time to critize ourselves and find fault. Those are our old patterns of behaviour.  We humbly ask which means we practice acceptance and surrender.  We can use the HOW method this I read in my step book.  Honesty, openess and williness. We open ourselves to change and ask God to do the rest.  I love that when we do this, then we are ready for step eight.