Willingness and Being Entirely Ready: The Difference

At the beginning of my AA journey, I had the willingness to do whatever it took to change my destitute life. I could not quit drinking, and I had little hope of stopping on my own. Steps 1 to 5 were achieved out of sheer necessity. But when I arrived at Step 6, free from the clouded mind that addiction had imposed on me, I faced a new challenge—was I truly ready to have God remove all my character defects?

Some of my defects had become coping mechanisms. They helped me navigate fears of people, places, and financial instability. The idea of losing a part of myself seemed frightening rather than beneficial. However, what I have found in recovery is that these defects and habits were keeping me trapped in destructive cycles.

Step 6: Readiness, Not Perfection

Step 6 does not demand immediate transformation—only readiness. By faith, I needed only to become spiritually ready and trust in the clear evidence of success from those who had gone before me. Readiness is not about instant change but about opening the door for God’s grace to work in our lives.

This readiness can be fostered through therapy, self-reflection, and prayer. I would call this spiritual wisdom—the process of aligning our hearts and minds with the willingness to change.

Practical Steps for Creating an Environment of Readiness

1. Self-Reflection & Journaling – Writing about why certain defects are difficult to release can help uncover the attachments we have to them.

2. Seeking Guidance Through Prayer & Meditation – Developing a habit of quiet reflection strengthens our trust in God’s ability to transform us.

3. Accepting Imperfection – Readiness is not about becoming perfect overnight. It is about growing along spiritual lines, trusting that God will shape us in His time.

Scriptural Wisdom on Readiness and Transformation

• "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." – Psalm 51:10

• "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." – Proverbs 3:5

• "I give unto men weakness that they may be humble... for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." – Ether 12:27

Recognizing our defects and being ready to release them allows God’s grace to work in our lives. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland reminds us: "Christ is not waiting for us to be perfect before He will help us. He is helping us because we are not perfect." Recovery and spiritual progress go hand in hand as we become willing to let the Lord shape us.

Final Thoughts

Step 6 is not about instant transformation but about a willing heart. Becoming entirely ready is a process, one that deepens our connection to spiritual healing. As we embrace this willingness, we prepare ourselves for the freedom and growth that Step 7 will bring.