Step 5: Freedom from the Past

After your Fourth Step is complete and you’ve filled out your resentments form, it’s time to schedule a meeting with a Fifth Step partner.

An accountability partner or trusted friend can walk with you through this process. As you go over your Fourth Step worksheet together, leave nothing out. Share honestly about your past — your hurts, your fears, and your struggles.

A trusted listener can help you identify patterns and gently see your part in them.

And once you begin to see your past more clearly, with greater understanding, it becomes much easier to forgive… and to move forward.

This is such a freeing step.

Freedom from the past — and freedom to move forward in recovery.

If you’d like more guidance on working through the 12 Steps in a Christ-centered way, my book 12 Steps to Recovery from Overeating walks you through each step in a practical, grace-filled process.