Chapter 14: Cultivating Willingness – Getting Ready for Change
Principle 5: Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects.
"Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires.” (Matthew 5:6)
Step 6: We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)
LEARNING POINT · 01Preparing for Inner Transformation: The Importance of Readiness
Having honestly examined our lives through the inventory (Chapters 7-11) and confessed our wrongs (Chapters 12-13), we arrive at Principle 5. This principle bridges the gap between understanding our need for change and actively seeking God's intervention. Step 6 specifically focuses on becoming "entirely ready" for God to remove the character defects we've identified. Readiness isn't just passive agreement; it's an active state of willingness and surrender that prepares our hearts for the deep work God wants to do.
LEARNING POINT · 02The Core Principle: Understanding True Readiness
What does it mean to be "entirely ready" for God to work? It involves several key elements:
Releasing Control: True readiness means genuinely welcoming God's transforming work into every area of our lives, not just the ones we find most problematic. God is a gentleman; He waits to be invited in. We consciously release our own agenda and desire for control, asking Him instead to lead us according to His good will (Psalm 143:10 TLB). This involves moving from mere contemplation about change into active preparation and willingness, key aspects of motivational readiness.
Embracing the Process ("Easy Does It"): These principles aren't quick fixes. Deeply ingrained character defects take time to reshape. Readiness involves accepting that this is a process requiring Patience (a vital life skill) and trusting God's timing. We need to allow Him the time He needs to work deeply (Psalm 37:5 TLB).
Actively Accepting Change: Recognising the need for change is different from truly accepting it when it comes. Readiness involves moving past our own self-will and stubbornness, preparing our minds for action and setting our hope firmly on God's work, rather than clinging to old, familiar (even if painful) ways (1 Peter 1:1314 GNB).
Replacing the Negative with the Positive: Habit formation research tells us that simply stopping a negative behaviour is less effective than actively replacing it with a positive one. When God removes a character defect, we need to intentionally fill that space with healthier thoughts, behaviours and spiritual practices (like recovery
meetings, service, prayer, fellowship) to prevent the old pattern (or worse) from returning (Matthew 12:43-45 GNB provides a cautionary illustration). This requires Goal Setting focused on positive replacements.
- Yielding to God's Growth: As God works, we will begin to see progress. Readiness includes accepting this growth, even if old self-doubts or feelings of unworthiness try to tell us we don't deserve it. We must yield to the Holy Spirit's work within us, trusting that the new life He has given us is real and powerful (1 John 3:9 TLB).
LEARNING POINT · 03Why It Matters: The Importance of Willingness
Becoming "entirely ready" is crucial because God typically works in cooperation with our will. While His power is infinite, He honours our freedom. If we are ambivalent, resistant, or only partially willing to change, we hinder the process. Step 6 is about cultivating that complete willingness, that wholehearted "Yes, Lord, change me as You see fit," which prepares the ground for the specific request we make in Step 7. It ensures we are active participants in our transformation, not just passive observers.