Step Three remained ineffective until getting unblocked from taking Steps Four through Nine.

When I was new in the Program and confronted with the need to turn my will and life over to the care of God as I understood Him, I felt I was doomed. I had already turned my life over to God in my early twenties, and I came into the Fellowship of SA at age 54. For over three decades, that decision—while providing great benefits in many areas of my life—had little to no effect in helping me overcome my obsession with lust. If that was really the answer to my problem, I feared I was hopeless.

Fortunately, I was directed to listen to the series of AA talks. That was where I learned that, when it came to my addiction, I was blocked from the power of God that could keep me stopped. That’s why my decision to turn my life over to God in my twenties was ineffective in dealing with lust, and why making another decision to do so at Step Three wouldn’t be any more effective until I was unblocked. I further learned that the only means of being unblocked was the thorough, effective work of Steps Four through Nine.

Having done just that, I can now say that I have at times been able to allow God to be in control of certain situations. More and more, I’m able to accept life on life’s terms, to accept that things are the way they’re supposed to be, and to be okay with that. But when I’m not able, I return to Step Two and look for the flaws in my concept of my Higher Power—God.

It does work when I choose to work it.