Letting Go: Living in Surrender

March 17, 2025

Step Three of the 12-Step program invites us to make a decision: “to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” But what does that really mean in day-to-day life? How do we know if we’re “turning it over”? What does surrender look like when life feels complicated, uncertain, or overwhelming?

Step 3 in Daily Action

Living in surrender doesn’t mean giving up—it means giving over. It’s a choice to stop managing everything with self-will and to trust in something greater. In daily life, “turning it over” might look like:

Pausing to pray instead of reacting
Asking for guidance before making decisions
Letting go of outcomes and focusing on doing the next right thing
Releasing control when plans fall apart
Accepting that you don’t have all the answers, and that’s okay

Practical Tip: Step 3 Prayers & Affirmations

Incorporating short prayers or affirmations into your daily routine can help reinforce the principle of surrender. Try one of these throughout your day:

Third Step Prayer:
“God, I offer myself to Thee—to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of Life. May I do Thy will always!”
Simple Affirmations:
- “I turn this over.”
- “I am not in charge today.”
- “My Higher Power is guiding me.”
- “I trust the process of recovery.”
- “Help me get out of the way so I can be of service.”

Keep It Simple

Sometimes the most powerful way to live Step Three is to take a breath and say, “I can’t, God can, I think I’ll let Him.” The principle of surrender is built on a foundation of willingness, not perfection. You don’t need to know exactly what’s ahead—you just need to stay willing to let go and trust that your Higher Power is walking with you.