Step Nine

The Ninth Step In The Recovery Program

9. Whenever feasible, make direct amends to those people, unless doing so would cause harm to them or others

Up until now, we have been journeying alongside a recovered sponsor on the road to freedom. We've built a strong connection with another individual in the program and hold hope that this program will be effective for us as well. We've started to experience spiritual awakenings, but it's time to take steps that will launch us into the realm of the Spirit.

We have acknowledged our lack of power and accepted that God is all-encompassing. We've surrendered our will and conducted a sincere inventory of our lives. Those often painful truths have been shared with another person. We've listed our defects and requested God's intervention to eliminate them. Now, we have a list of those we've harmed and are ready to face each one to amend our wrongs. Achieving this on our own is impossible; we need God's assistance.

This is the step where we begin to walk alongside our higher power. From our experience, the amends demanding the greatest humility have provided the most liberation. We have lived in delusion for much of our lives. The steps illuminate that delusion, and the 9th step has released us from so much of it.

As we persist in seeking God on this journey towards freedom and truth, we pray for more release from delusion. This might involve more discomfort and a need for greater humility as our spirits continue to awaken, but we are grateful to God for such a gift. The more humble and willing we are to confront our peers and correct our wrongs, the more freedom we experience and the closer we become to our Creator.

– Anonymous