In The Twelve Steps to Victory column, we’re reframing the traditional 12 Steps with a focus on victory vs continually looking back at our missteps and failures. Each Step aligns with the months on the yearly calendar. This series publishes on the first Friday of each month in 2025.
We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings, trusting that His help would lead us to victory. ~ Step Seven
When Change Feels Like Breaking
In 2004, early in my recovery journey, I wasn’t prepared for how hard—or how painful—the process of change would be, nor how long it would take.
There were so many layers that needed to be made new and clean. My victory didn’t begin with a quick breakthrough—it began with brokenness.
My Heart Had Turned to Stone
I can’t remember exactly when it happened, but sometime in 2004, God showed me a vision of my heart. It had turned to stone.
He showed me that in order for healing to take place, He had to throw my stone heart down and shatter it into pieces.
He told me this was the only way He could reshape me. The old had to be broken first before the new could be created.
It was a very painful process. Not long after this, I began a routine of getting on my face before the Lord each morning and asking Him to keep me soft and pliable in His loving hands.
Because I don’t ever want to go through that again.
I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. ~ Ezekiel 36:26
Trusting God in the Unfamiliar
This was a very humbling, confusing, and lonely time.
Thankfully, it wasn’t long before I found my first Life Recovery Bible. Once I got that Bible, everything began to make sense.
Through it, I began to understand God’s promises, and I felt less alone.
God totally used the Life Recovery Bible to shape my new heart and life by His Word!
He who began a good work in you will carry it out to completion. ~ Philippians 1:6
Humble Surrender
While most times we don’t even know what needs to be removed or reshaped within us until God reveals it, we can trust that as we humbly surrender to His sovereign will and purpose, that in the end, His work in us will lead to our good and His glory.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. ~ James 4:10
You Can Trust Him with the Process
Dear friend, if you are in the breaking process, know this—you are not being destroyed, you are being remade!
Trusting God for change means we must let go of what we think should happen and lean into what God knows we need.
This process to victory is one built through surrender, not striving.
A Prayer and a Promise
Friend, please pray this with me…
Lord, even when it hurts, I trust You to change me into what You want me to be. Break what needs breaking. Remove anything that hinders. Shape my heart for victory. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray! Amen.
Remember: While the process may be unfamiliar, you can trust the One who is leading you is faithful! His heart is for you!