Build a bridge and get over it!

This is not a well-know slogan, but it works for me.

When I am troubled and leaning towards overwhelm, I need to practice the program and work the steps. That's when I hear God say to me, "Build a bridge and get over it."


Building a bridge for me is looking at the big picture...and typically looking beyond my fear and my pride to the facts. The negatives are in the swamp, where the devil wants to take me, but God wants me to build a bridge....and stay on dry land....and walk over the problem to the other side, holding His hand all along the way.

The 12-Step process is the bridge for me. I recognize a problem and my powerlessness (Step l), I know that God wants to love me through it (Step 2), and letting Him help me figure out how to get to the other side (Step 3). Step 3 is about faith, hope and trust.


Then in Step 4, I analysis what has happened and own my part in it.


Step 5, I talk about it to someone whom I trust with my secrets.



Step 6, I accept where I am in hopes of getting better.


Step 7, I ask God to remove that part of me that brought me to act as I did (the character flaw or flaws that robbed my peace--separated me from being God's willing servant.)

Step 8, I make a list of the people I have harmed or I make a list of how I can amend the situation and avoid similar situations in the future.

Step 9, I actually do the work... I not only apologize, if I need to, but I make a commitment to change my behavior in the future, trusting that God wants me to stay happy, joyous and free.

Step 10, I continue to reflect and remember what has happened in the past, so that I don't repeat negative behaviors that rob my peace in the days to come.

Step 11, I continue to pray and meditate...

Step 12, I tell others how the program works and how grateful I am for being able to build a bridge and get over whatever ails me on any given day.