THE TWELVE STEPS TO VICTORY™ || Step Three || Trusting God to Lead

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 made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him, trusting that He would lead us to victory. ~ Step Three

Step Three is where we begin to walk by faith as we learn to surrender control of our lives to God. For many of us, this can feel intimidating—but it can also be a freeing step toward an important spiritual victory. This step is about trust, humility, and letting go of the illusion that we can manage everything on our own.

Surrendering can be scary. It’s uncomfortable not knowing where we are going. We want to hold on to the illusion that we are in control even if that means drifting away from God’s purpose for our life.

Step Three is inviting us to let go and let God take the lead in our life.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. — Proverbs 3:5-6

We must remember that God will never take us where He won’t provide for us. Surrendering our control isn’t a loss–it’s actually a victory in disguise. By turning our lives and our will over to God’s care we step into the amazing life He has planned for us.

This week let’s give Him our plans, fears and desires. We can trust His guidance in all things for our life. Let’s let Him lead the way!

Be blessed by this inspiring song by Leeland: Lead The Way.

The 12 Principles of Recovery :: SPIRITUALITY ~ Love God and Others


MY RECOVERY WORK THIS YEAR IS FOCUSED ON THE PRINCIPLES BEHIND THE 12 STEPS, ASKING KEY QUESTIONS THAT WILL HELP TO LEARN THESE CORE VALUES AND PUT THEM INTO PRACTICE. 

STEP 3: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

PRINCIPLE 3: Spirituality

KEY QUESTION: Am I love-able to God and others?


In the resource I am using for this study (listed below) Dr. Patrick Carnes discusses the common elements most spiritual traditions include. Whether to ourself or others each of these areas require acts of love.

  • Sharing Pain: our pain connects us to the pain of others.
  • Serving others: go outside normal comfort zone and help another person.
  • Joining forces: in times of weakness reach out for help.
  • Making a leap: Even through difficulties keep going forward.


The answer to our key question shows up in how we are processing these steps walking out love. 


Am I afraid to share my pain with others?
 

Am I stepping out of my comfortable circle of friends and helping someone new? 

Am I too proud to ask for help when I’m feeling weak? 

Am I making progress each day, even if it is a baby step?


Over the last year God brought me a new girl friend. Someone with whom I’ve been able to process many of these areas with. I’m good at serving but not the best at reaching out for help when struggling. This is the area I need to work on most.  

It always comes back to loving myself as God does!



RESOURCES:
A Gentle Path through the Twelve Principles: Living the Values Behind the Steps by Patrick Carnes **