Let Go and Let God!

“. . . praying only for knowledge of his will for us and the power to carry that out.” – Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 96, quoted in Daily Reflections, November 7, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services (“LET GO AND LET GOD”)

That short line is the whole practice in one breath. Ask for knowledge of God’s will. Ask for the power to carry it out. Then let go of the rest!

Let go of what you cannot carry

Today’s Daily Reflections puts it plainly. In paraphrase, the reading’s narrator says: When I “Let Go and Let God,” I think more clearly and wisely. Without having to think about it, I quickly let go of things that cause me immediate pain and discomfort. The harder part is letting go of worrisome thoughts and attitudes that cause immense anguish. In those moments, all I need to do is allow God, as I understand Him, to release them for me. Then, I let go of the thoughts, memories, and attitudes that trouble me.

With that help, I can live one day at a time and handle whatever challenges come my way. Only then can I live a life of victory over alcohol, in comfortable sobriety.

Scripture agrees: “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (ESV). Cast them. Do not clutch them. He cares for you!

Resentment is a poison you drink

Twenty-Four Hours a Day for November 7 names the poison: “I have lost many of my resentments. I have found that getting even with people doesn’t do any good. When we try to get revenge, instead of making us feel better, it leaves us frustrated and cheated. Instead of punishing our enemies, we’ve only hurt our own peace of mind. It does not pay to nurse a grudge, it hurts us more than anyone else. Hate causes frustration, inner conflict, and neurosis. If we give out hate, we will become hateful. If we are resentful, we will be resented. If we do not like people, we will not be liked by people. Revengefulness is a powerful poison in our systems. Have I lost my resentments?”

In Success-Full I wrote it in three words: “Resentment kills!” If you need a longer walk-through on releasing that grip, start with Throw a Blessing Instead and Resentment Has No Power. Letting go of a grudge is not weakness. It is self-rescue!

Feel God’s will, then take responsibility

Just for Today for November 7, “Feeling God’s Will,” quotes the Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text: “I sincerely believed that a Higher Power could restore my sanity and that I would stop trying to figure out what God’s will was, just accept things for what they were, and be grateful.” Knowledge of a Higher Power’s will becomes more of a feeling thing. Gut discomfort often signals that we are acting against God’s will. The Eleventh Step goal is conscious contact. Just for today: pray for knowledge of God’s will and the power to carry it out, pay attention to your feelings, and act when they feel right.

Letting go does not mean ignoring problems. Today’s theme from Daily Ponderables is Letting Go, Taking Responsibility. What can we let go of today, and what can we take responsibility for changing?

Courage to Change reminds families that alcoholism is a family disease. By showing up for recovery, a person commits to breaking unhealthy patterns. In the reading’s first-person reflection, when I give up worrying about everyone else and focus on my own health, I give others the freedom to consider their own recovery. Today’s Reminder: One person’s recovery can powerfully impact the whole family. “If one person gets well, the whole family situation improves.” (Living with Sobriety)

That is responsibility with love. You are not fixing everyone. You are cleaning your side of the street. For a practical reset, try Wipe It Clean.

Honesty, kindness, and what you love

Keep It Simple brings Thomas Wolfe this morning: “Telling the truth is a pretty hard thing.” Honesty is hard, and sobriety depends on it. In Recovery Thinking, I wrote, “That is not who you are that is what you have done!” Honesty names the past without turning it into a life sentence.

Og Mandino, in today’s Thought for Today, raises the bar on kindness: “Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster. Your life will never be the same again.” (The Greatest Miracle in the World) Esther Williams adds, “The wisdom you acquire with the passage of time is a useless gift unless you share it.”

St. Thomas Aquinas, via today’s Dynamic Catholic reflection, said, “The things that we love tell us what we are.” What you cling to and what you release both reveal who you are. After more than 40 years in human services since 1983, I still come back to the same pair: let go of what is not yours to carry, and take responsibility for what is.

Five ways to let go and take responsibility today

1. Pray the short ask. Ask for knowledge of God’s will and the power to carry it out. Then stop micromanaging the outcome.
2. Name one resentment and set it down. Write it once. Hand it over. Do not rehearse the revenge movie.
3. Tell one hard truth gently. Honesty without cruelty. Progress, not perfection!
4. Do one self-care act that frees the family. Your recovery is not selfish. One person getting well helps the whole system.
5. Offer one Mandino-level kindness. Care, understanding, and presence before midnight. Cast the anxiety. Keep the love.

Open hands, steady feet

Let go of the worrisome thoughts. Let go of the grudge. Feel for God’s will, then move your feet. Take responsibility for your honesty, kindness, and health. Cast your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.

Life is GOOOOOOOD!!!

Here’s my question for you: What one thing will you let go of today, and what one thing will you take responsibility for changing?

Go, Go, Go… Dan 🙂

Books quoted in this post:

• Daily Reflections: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0916856372?tag=happyrecove0e-20
• Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0916856291?tag=happyrecove0e-20
• Twenty-Four Hours a Day: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0894860127?tag=happyrecove0e-20
• ESV Holy Bible: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1433503832?tag=happyrecove0e-20
• Just for Today: Daily Meditations for Recovering Addicts: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1557761515?tag=happyrecove0e-20
• Courage to Change: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0910034796?tag=happyrecove0e-20
• Keep It Simple: Daily Meditations for Twelve-Step Beginnings and Renewal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0894866257?tag=happyrecove0e-20
• Recovery Thinking, 90-Days to Change Your Life!: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1467965359?tag=happyrecove0e-20
• Success-Full, Living Life with Purpose: Recovery Mode: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL5BQR7J?tag=happyrecove0e-20

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

A note on anonymity: Although I quote Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Al-Anon literature here, nothing in this post should be taken to imply my membership in any specific mutual support group, in keeping with Tradition Eleven.

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Reflection note: I wrote this from my own daily readings. Quotes belong to their original authors and sources (Daily Reflections, November 7, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, “LET GO AND LET GOD,” quoting Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 96, via Daily Ponderables; Twenty-Four Hours a Day, November 7, Hazelden; Just for Today, November 7, Narcotics Anonymous, quoting the Basic Text, p. 198 / meditation p. 325; Courage to Change, Al-Anon, including Living with Sobriety; Keep It Simple, November 7, Hazelden, including Thomas Wolfe; Og Mandino, The Greatest Miracle in the World; Esther Williams; St. Thomas Aquinas via the Dynamic Catholic Daily Reflection, November 7; 1 Peter 5:7, English Standard Version; Recovery Thinking; Success-Full). I used AI to help organize it and reviewed it before posting.