“As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action.” (Page 86, Big Book)
When I’m agitated or doubtful (in other words, in any mental distress whatsoever, or in any uncertainty), I need two things: right thought and right action.
I ask God.
And if I set my mind to looking at the situation constructively rather than destructively, I will be given the right thought(s) and right action(s).
It’s important to take God’s side against the ego rather than taking the ego’s side against God.
If the situation is simple and the distress is minor, then the problem can often be dealt with straight away with a single thought or a single action.
If the situation is complex or the distress is great, a more robust approach is needed.
First I write out, using simple phrases, the precise nature of the difficulty: frightened of this; angry at that; guilty about the other (those are the only three negative emotions), or the specific questions I’m facing practically.
Then, having asked God for the right thought or action, I write out the solution, again using simple phrases.
I usually find that I already know the answers. I’m retrieving and applying existing ideas rather than inventing new ones.
I write out the right thoughts and actions until all of the difficulties have been addressed.
If there is something that will not yield, and I cannot see how something is OK or what can be done, I call someone.
What won’t do is appraising the situation from the point of view of complaint, fear, or artificial helplessness.
In that position, no one can help me, not me, not others, not God.
I have to be the one to take the initiative to look at the situation rationally and constructively and in an adult, detached way.
Once I’ve written it out, my job is to forget about it and get on with the day, taking whatever the indicated action is, if any.
If God needs to input, He will, but in His time.
God’s there not to wave a magic want but to double my investment in the solution and to strengthen me in my resolve not to be overwhelmed by the ego.