3. I decide to turn my will and my life over to the care of God as I understand Him.

Recommended readings include:

- Once Again, Chapter 4 of the Big Book (We, the Doubters)
- Step 3 as described on pages 57-60 of the Big Book (even multiple times)
- Step 3 in our book *12 Steps and 12 Traditions* (pages 35-42)

In addition, I recommend that you:

- Talk to your sponsor about matters concerning God.
- Pay attention at meetings to what others say about their own God.
- Spend some time considering the concept of God in various religions.

3.1. I accept the world created by God as it is.

Write down (reflect on) whether:

- You have definitively accepted your life's unmanageability in Step 1?
- How are you practicing living in the present day? Is it working?
- Is the acceptance of the present moment as it is already working for you?
- In Step 2, have you become willing to believe that a Higher Power could exist?
- Have you started to think about what your God might be like?
- Do you tend to qualify or dramatize life situations?
- Do you label or judge people?

- Think of a situation that upset you recently. Try to reflect on:

  - What might have been good about it?
  - Why you received this experience from God?
  - What might be the “message” in it?
  - Could you look back at the events with gratitude now?
  
Practice the following (or something similar):

- I let go; I trust God!
- I won't dramatize; I won't complain!
- I won't criticize; I won't label!
- I accept that this is how it is!

3.2. I believe that God knows better than I do what is good for me.

Write down (reflect on) whether:

- Do you often receive satisfactory answers to your “why” questions?
- Is it necessary to always know why things happen?
- Does every event have one cause? Or more? How many more?
- Is it your job to decide what is good and what is bad in the world?
- Do you suffer because you think it is your job?
- Can you always decide what would be good for you?
  
Write down any experience that supports that:

- God knows better what is good (for you or anyone else).

Practice the following (or something similar):

- God, You know what is good for me!
- God, You know why this is good for me!

3.3. I am willing to place my will in alignment with God’s will.

Write down (reflect on) whether:

- What egocentric (self-centered) feelings exist?
- Which of these have you experienced?
- What egocentric (self-centered) thoughts tend to come up in your mind?
- What egocentric (self-centered) needs do you have towards your fellow humans?
- What are you “wanting” to achieve, realize, obtain, or control lately?

Write down any experience that supports that:

- The more willing you are to depend on a Higher Power, the more independent you are.
- You use your will correctly when you align it with God’s will.

Practice the following (or something similar):

- God! Let Your will be done, not mine!

3.4. I am willing to trust God with the course of my life (as I understand Him).

Write down (reflect on) whether:

- What is the image of God in your parents’ (religion)?
- What kind of God do people generally imagine?
- Can we shape our image of God ourselves?
- What kind of God would you like to imagine for yourself?
- Does our worldview depend on what kind of God we imagine?
- If you wanted to, could you completely entrust the course of your life to God?
- Do you want this? Or would you like to want it?

Write down any experience that supports that:

- Trusting in the God of our own conception is not an impossible endeavor.
- Trusting in God is just a matter of willingness.

3.5. I recognize that I cannot change the world. And I also recognize that it is not necessary.

Write down (reflect on) whether:

- What are the things in the world that need changing?
- What is your opinion about the weather?
- What is your opinion about the economic situation?
- What is your opinion about politics? About the government?
- Why should these things be changed? Who would benefit?
- How could these things be changed?
- Which of these things can you change yourself?
- What successes have you already achieved in this area?
- What are the things in the world that you cannot change at all?

Write down any experience that supports that:

- You cannot change the world.
- And it is not necessary.

3.6. I recognize that I cannot change others. And I also recognize that it is not necessary.

Write down (reflect on) whether:

- Who are the people you think should change?
- Why should they change? Who would benefit?
- How could they change?
- Who are the people you can change, and who are those you cannot?
- How have you tried to change others so far?
- Have you experienced disappointment, frustration, or suffering in the process?

Write down any experience that supports that:

- You cannot change others.
- And it is not necessary.

3.7. I recognize that I can only change my own thinking.

Write down (reflect on) whether:

- How can someone’s behavior be changed? And your own?
- How can someone’s habits be changed? And your own?
- How can someone’s mindset be improved? And your own?
- How can one get rid of egocentrism?

Write down any experience that supports that:

- Changing your attitude can bring change to your life.

3.8. And I also recognize that I only need to change my attitude (spiritual development).

Write down (reflect on) whether:

- Can you change your attitude towards the world?
- Can you change other things as well?
- Do you need to change your attitude?
- Do you need to change other things as well?
- What else do you need besides spiritual development?

Write down any experience that supports that:

- Spiritual development can solve every problem.

3.9. I will become grateful to God for these realizations. I will be grateful for everything.

Write down (reflect on) whether you can be grateful for:

- Being alive?
- Not having to drink?
- Finding AA?
- Being able to grow spiritually with the 12 Steps?

Write down any experience that supports that:

- Gratitude is a voluntarily chosen attitude.
- There are always things to be grateful for.
- Gratitude drives away bad moods and depression.

In the evenings, write a gratitude list and read it a few times:

- God! I am grateful for:

  - a
  - b
  - c

 
CHECKLIST QUESTIONS

For Step 3 of AA

- Do you accept the world created by God as it is?
- Do you believe that God knows better than you what is good for you?
- Are you willing to submit your will to God’s will?
- Are you willing to trust God with the course of your life (as you understand Him)?
- Have you recognized that you cannot change the world? And that it is not necessary?
- Have you recognized that you cannot change others? And that it is not necessary?
- Have you recognized that you can only change your own thinking?
- And that this is all you need (for spiritual development)?
- Are you grateful to God for this? Are you grateful for anything?