“I won’t always look to God to help me when I’m too lazy to do my share of thinking.” (ODAT, 26 December)
When I have a problem, I can ask myself:
Have I tried everything I have learned in the daily programme of Steps Ten and Eleven?
Have I applied my other, aggregate knowledge of what I have learned in Al-Anon?
Have I critically analysed my perception and interpretation of the situation to ensure it aligns with reality?
Have I prayed and meditated?
Have I leafed thought Al-Anon or other spiritual literature, asking God to point out a useful line to apply?
Have I turned it over and left it there, returning to the topic only once daily in Step Eleven to see if any ‘post’ has come from God on what my part is, if any, in the practical working out of the problem?
Have I looked at the situation from someone else’s point of view?
Have I given time the opportunity to resolve the problem all by itself?
Have I right-sized it?
Have I asked: Does this need to be solved? Does this need to be solved by me? Does this need to be solved right now?
Once I’ve tried all of the above, I might call someone else.
Or I might just go to God again.
What I don’t do is immediately pick up the problem and post it through someone else’s letterbox.