12 Steps to SerenitySýnishorn

STEP 9

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

David was the beloved psalmist and shepherd whom God elevated to king of Israel. One important reason David was able to fellowship so closely with God throughout his life was that he was willing to humble himself before God and others. Humility is an attitude that God has been building in us throughout our recovery program, and it is a key ingredient to the successful completion of Step 9.

David’s words “broken and contrite” are very close in idea to the attitude underlying Step 9. In the same way David asked God to help him “open his lips,” we should depend on God to bring a new power and grace to our lives as we correct past wrongs and achieve healthy ways of relating to the people around us.

As we turn to God for the willingness to make amends, we release ourselves from the power of old resentments, which have held us in bondage.