August 31: A New Heart for the Next Step
The list is written. Some names say “willing.” Some still say “not ready.” Is that enough to move on?
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
God promised through Ezekiel to give His people a new heart and a new spirit. He would take out the heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. A stone heart can’t feel. It can’t bend. A heart of flesh is soft enough to care.
That’s the work God has been doing in you this month. Every prayer for someone you resented. Every name you added. Every bit of willingness that grew. A stone heart is slowly becoming flesh.
Step Eight is done when the list is complete and you’re willing to make all of the amends, even if you’re not ready to do them all yet. Look at your list honestly. Is it complete? Did you include the emotional harms, the money harms, the family names, the ones who hurt you too? Are you willing, at least in principle, to make them all?
If yes, you’re ready for Step Nine. If there are still names you’re unwilling about, that’s okay. Keep praying for willingness while you begin with the others. The book doesn’t ask you to wait until every name is easy.
Step Nine will ask for discipline. Going to people, one at a time. Making things right where you can. Being careful not to hurt anyone in the process. Talking over the hard ones with a sponsor or pastor first. It’s real work. It’s also where many people find the deepest freedom of all.
Take today to rest and give thanks. You did something hard this month. You looked at the people you hurt and became willing. That’s no small thing.
One thing today
Sit down with your list and your sponsor or a trusted friend in recovery. Go through every name. Mark which ones you’ll start with in Step Nine.
A prayer
Lord, thank You for this new heart You’re giving me. Thank You for the willingness that has grown. Lead me into Step Nine with courage and good judgment. Amen.
Look ahead to Step Nine, and review the Step Eight list once more before you go.
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