Step 6: The Moment I Surrendered... (And Learned to Chill)
The Struggle with “Entirely Ready”
So, we’ve made it to Step 6: Were entirely ready to have God, as we know our higher power, remove all these defects of character. Seems simple enough, right? Just be entirely ready to hand over all your character defects like you’re returning a bad Amazon purchase. But let me tell you, I was not entirely ready. If anything, I was partially ready—or maybe ready-ish. Ready-adjacent, at best.
I mean, who’s actually entirely ready to give up all their quirks and flaws? Sure, I’d love for my Higher power to take away my fear of squirrels, my habit of stress-eating cookies at 2 a.m., or my tendency to yell at inanimate objects when they don’t work. But some of my so-called "defects" have been around a long time—like an old pair of sweatpants you keep wearing because, let’s face it, they’re comfortable.
Ready for What, Exactly?
I asked myself, “What does being entirely ready even mean?” Is it like waiting for a lightbulb moment where I suddenly shout, “I’m healed! Take it all, Beyonce!” Or do I just wake up one morning with a strong urge to stop being a control freak? (Spoiler: I’m still waiting for that one.)
For me, being entirely ready was about something bigger. It wasn’t just about giving up my defects; it was about being ready for more. More growth. More peace. More trust in the process. Basically, I needed to let go of the whole “I have to figure everything out on my own” mindset. Newsflash: I don’t. And thank goodness for that!
Trusting That My Defects Have a Purpose
Here’s the kicker: I realized I didn’t have to decide which of my defects were worthy of sticking around and which ones needed the boot. Turns out, my Higher power’s already got that part covered. All I had to do was be ready to trust that everything, (yes, even my flaws) has a purpose. If my Higher power gave me these defects, maybe they’re here to teach me something... or at least give me some comic relief.
So, instead of beating myself up about my imperfections, I started meditation for openness. I asked my Higher power to open my heart, fill it with love, and remove the stuff that’s holding me back—like fear, self-doubt, and, occasionally, my inability to let someone else win an argument (still working on that one).
Surrendering Control (Well, Sort Of)
Let’s be real: surrendering control is not my strong suit. I’m the person who rewrites to-do lists just to feel productive. But this step taught me that surrendering isn’t about giving up—it’s about making room for something better. It’s about letting God take the wheel (yes, like that Carrie Underwood song, but with fewer dramatic highway scenes) and trusting that I don’t have to drive this car all by myself.
When the Old Me Isn’t Cutting It Anymore
I knew I was ready for Step 6 when the old me just wasn’t cutting it anymore. When the pain of staying stuck in my old ways was worse than the discomfort of changing. When I got so sick of my limiting beliefs that I was practically begging for something—anything—new. That’s when I knew I was entirely ready.
Takeaway: Your Higher power’s Got This (And You)
If you’re at Step 6, wondering when you’ll be entirely ready to hand over your defects, here’s a tip: you don’t need to have it all figured out. You don’t need to be perfect, polished, or even close to having your life together. All you need is a little willingness, a willingness to let go of the need to control everything and to trust that your Higher Power has got this.
It’s messy, it’s hard, and yeah, you’ll probably still want to yell at the occasional malfunctioning printer. But with some patience, prayer, and maybe a good laugh along the way, you’ll find yourself moving forward in ways you never expected. So, put on those metaphorical (or actual) sweatpants, let go, and let your Higher power do the heavy lifting.
Now, if only surrendering meant I could get out of doing laundry...
