--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Were entirely ready to have God remove…" description: "\"“Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This is yet another step which invokes “God” and encourages dependence rather t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84d/charles-bufe-40675_first-step_were-entirely-ready-to-have-god-remove-a_2096373.jpg" --- # Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects… ![“Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This is yet another step which invokes “God” and encourages dependence rather than independence. It echoes the first three steps’ declarations of personal “powerlessness” (first step), personal “[in]sanity” (second step), and…” quote by Charles Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84d/charles-bufe-40675_first-step_were-entirely-ready-to-have-god-remove-a_2096373.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84d/charles-bufe-40675_first-step_were-entirely-ready-to-have-god-remove-a_2096373.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84d/charles-bufe-40675_first-step_were-entirely-ready-to-have-god-remove-a_2096373.jpg) > ““Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This is yet another step which invokes “God” and encourages dependence rather than independence. It echoes the first three steps’ declarations of personal “powerlessness” (first step), personal “\[in\]sanity” (second step), and the “decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God” (third step). (As an aside, it’s most interesting to speculate how those who chose doorknobs or bedpans as their “Higher Power” “work this step.”)”” [Charles Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bufe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The step urges surrender to a higher power, fostering reliance on divine help rather than self‑reliance. **In simple terms:** Rely on God to fix character flaws. Key Takeaway Embrace humility and seek spiritual aid. Themes humility spirituality dependence self‑improvement Mood reflective serious Type advice spiritual recovery When to use this quote - addiction recovery - spiritual counseling - group meetings - personal reflection Key Concepts AA 12‑Step program faith‑based recovery Questions to Reflect On - How does dependence on a higher power affect personal responsibility? - Can one balance reliance on God with self‑action? A Different Perspective May limit personal agency and hinder self‑empowerment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dependence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dependence/) [First step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-step/) [God Remove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-remove-425652/) [God Step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-step-579852/) [Higher power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher-power/) [Powerlessness Step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powerlessness-step-4168373/) [Ready God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ready-god-1454323/) ## Related quotes > [Have thy tools ready. God will find thee work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-kingsley/have-thy-tools-ready-god-will-find-thee-work/) [Charles Kingsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-kingsley/) > [“Everything depends upon your readiness and willingness to let go into the Unknown and live from that mysterious and precious condition. The question is:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adyashanti/everything-depends-upon-your-readiness-and-willingness-to-let-go-into/) [Adyashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adyashanti/) > [“More than ready...Because God's got this.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/more-than-ready-because-god-s-got-this/) [Robin Lee Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/) > [Just because I don't feel ready to for change in my life doesn't mean that I'm not ready. God is the head of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/just-because-i-don-t-feel-ready-to-for-change-in-my-life-doesn-t-mean/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [The more ready you are to give yourselves to God and to others, the more you will discover the authentic meaning of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-evert/the-more-ready-you-are-to-give-yourselves-to-god-and-to-others-the/) [Jason Evert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-evert/) > [“Are you ready for the God that dwells in your heart ?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxana-jones/are-you-ready-for-the-god-that-dwells-in-your-heart/) [Roxana Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxana-jones/) > [You can, when Time is ripe, swope to your feet - at your full height - at a single gesture. Ready to go where?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marita-bonner/you-can-when-time-is-ripe-swope-to-your-feet-at-your-full-height-at-a/) [Marita Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marita-bonner/) > [“disciplines, if they are void of the love of God, cannot remove a single sin from our lives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-davis/disciplines-if-they-are-void-of-the-love-of-god-cannot-remove-a/) [Marshall Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-davis/) > [Be silent, Only the Hand of God Can remove The burdens of your heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-silent-only-the-hand-of-god-can-remove-the-burdens-of-your-heart/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You say to me 'Show me your God.' I answer you, 'Everything you see in your heart that might sadden God, remove.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/you-say-to-me-show-me-your-god-i-answer-you-everything-you-see-in/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [Don't pray God not to remove problem, but pray to give strength totakle the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author-name/don-t-pray-god-not-to-remove-problem-but-pray-to-give-strength/) [Author Name](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/author-name/) > [God sometimes remove people from your life to protect you. Don't run after them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/god-sometimes-remove-people-from-your-life-to-protect-you-don-t-run/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If God were to remove all evil from our world (but somehow leave human beings on the planet), it would mean that the essence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/if-god-were-to-remove-all-evil-from-our-world-but-somehow-leave-human/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [“as much as we sometimes want God to remove us from our messes, more often He just gets in it with us—lifting our heads,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacey-thacker/as-much-as-we-sometimes-want-god-to-remove-us-from-our-messes-more/) [Stacey Thacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacey-thacker/) > [Go not to the temple to put flowers upon the feet of God, first fill your own house with the fragrance of love. Go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/go-not-to-the-temple-to-put-flowers-upon-the-feet-of-god-first-fill/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) ## More by Charles Bufe > [“God would reveal “Himself to anyone who would “listen,” and that “He” had a minutely detailed plan for every human life. The sheer chutzpah…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bufe/god-would-reveal-himself-to-anyone-who-would-listen-and-that-he-had-a/) [Charles Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bufe/) > [“There’s a huge difference between stating that you have a problem and are going to do something about it, and stating that you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bufe/there-s-a-huge-difference-between-stating-that-you-have-a-problem-and/) [Charles Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bufe/) > [“As Jack Trimpey, founder of Rational Recovery, has pointed out, steps 2 and 3 are a con—a classic “bait and switch.” Specifically, step 3…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bufe/as-jack-trimpey-founder-of-rational-recovery-has-pointed-out-steps-2/) [Charles Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bufe/) > [“INCEST, n. In many parts of the Bible Belt, the most popular form of dating”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bufe/incest-n-in-many-parts-of-the-bible-belt-the-most-popular-form-of/) [Charles Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bufe/) > [“On December 11,1934, Wilson’s drinking came to a screeching halt. On that day he was readmitted to Towns Hospital, sedated, and subjected to Dr.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bufe/on-december-11-1934-wilson-s-drinking-came-to-a-screeching-halt-on/) [Charles Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bufe/) > [“As well, the very religiosity of step 2 is a major problem for many persons. Like steps 3, 5, 6, 7 and 11, step…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bufe/as-well-the-very-religiosity-of-step-2-is-a-major-problem-for-many/) [Charles Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bufe/) > [“In sum, the 12 steps are not a road to recovery, let alone the road to recovery. They are, instead, a road to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bufe/in-sum-the-12-steps-are-not-a-road-to-recovery-let-alone-the-road-to/) [Charles Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bufe/) > [“11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bufe/11-sought-through-prayer-and-meditation-to-improve-our-conscious/) [Charles Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bufe/) > [“In short, the first step leads to low self-esteem, learned helplessness, personal irresponsibility, and binge drinking. The first step is a step toward disaster;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bufe/in-short-the-first-step-leads-to-low-self-esteem-learned-helplessness/) [Charles Bufe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bufe/) [Explore all 10 Charles Bufe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bufe/) ## More Dependence quotes > [On Thanksgiving Day we acknowledge our dependence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/on-thanksgiving-day-we-acknowledge-our-dependence/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [God's power under us, in us, surging through us, is exactly what turns dependence into unforgettable experiences of completeness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-wilkinson/god-s-power-under-us-in-us-surging-through-us-is-exactly-what-turns/) [Bruce Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-wilkinson/) > [Love is . . . Knowing that the other person will always be with you regardless of what happens, Missing the other person when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/love-is-knowing-that-the-other-person-will-always-be-with-you/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [It is not inequality which is the real misfortune, it is dependence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/it-is-not-inequality-which-is-the-real-misfortune-it-is-dependence/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [Never depend on anyone else's strength but God's strength to help you through and nor expect from anyone except God to be with you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/never-depend-on-anyone-else-s-strength-but-god-s-strength-to-help-you/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [The strongest reason for giving woman all the opportunities of higher education, for the full development of her faculties, forces of mind and body;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/the-strongest-reason-for-giving-woman-all-the-opportunities-of-higher/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [ They \[leaders in Western Europe\] do not misuse financial instruments, financial injections, but, first of all, seek structural change. This is urgent for our… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/they-leaders-in-western-europe-do-not-misuse-financial-instruments/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [Religion, in its most general view, is such a Sense of God in the soul, and such a conviction of our obligations to him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-doddridge/religion-in-its-most-general-view-is-such-a-sense-of-god-in-the-soul/) [Philip Doddridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-doddridge/) > [By reducing our dependence of foreign oil and increasing alternative energy sources such as ethanol, we can begin to bring down prices at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-ryun/by-reducing-our-dependence-of-foreign-oil-and-increasing-alternative/) [Jim Ryun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-ryun/) > [A faith which we follow upon orders imposed from outside is no faith, and a community which puts its dependence upon such a pseudo-faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norbert-wiener/a-faith-which-we-follow-upon-orders-imposed-from-outside-is-no-faith/) [Norbert Wiener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norbert-wiener/) > [We need to exert ourselves that much more, and break out of the vicious cycle of dependence imposed on us by the financially powerful:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/we-need-to-exert-ourselves-that-much-more-and-break-out-of-the/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [ The heart becomes sick, as the body becomes sick, and its remedy is al-Tawbah (repentance) and protection \[from transgression\]. It becomes rusty as a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ibn-qayyim-al-jawziyya/the-heart-becomes-sick-as-the-body-becomes-sick-and-its-remedy-is-al/) [Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ibn-qayyim-al-jawziyya/) > [The safest hands to entrust all things is in the hands of the Almighty God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/the-safest-hands-to-entrust-all-things-is-in-the-hands-of-the/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [Civilization is in no immediate danger of running out of energy or even just out of oil. But we are running out of environment-that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-v-vaitheeswaran/civilization-is-in-no-immediate-danger-of-running-out-of-energy-or/) [Vijay V. Vaitheeswaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-v-vaitheeswaran/) > [If women be educated for dependence; that is, to act according to the will of another fallible being, and submit, right or wrong, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft/if-women-be-educated-for-dependence-that-is-to-act-according-to-the/) [Mary Wollstonecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft/) [Browse all 618 Dependence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dependence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This is yet another step which invokes “God” and encourages dependence rather than independence. It echoes the first three steps’ declarations of personal “powerlessness” (first step), personal “[in]sanity” (second step), and the “decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God” (third step). 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