“Character defects are, by their very nature, expressions of self-will.”

– Life with Hope, first edition, page 25

When I am acting in my character defects, when I am gossiping, when I am nasty, when I am unsympathetic or unkind (even when I’ve asked God to remove these same defects of character); it is often because I am unsatisfied in some way. When I closely examine that feeling of irritability, I am able to see how my will is misaligned with that of my Higher Power’s.

Once I have that realization, my next step is to accept that which I am currently finding unacceptable. How do I do that? I turn to God for help. Even though I may not initially make the connection between my own bad behavior and my lack of comfort in a given situation, it is that very connection that must be made in order to rid myself of those character defects.

As soon as I’m able to see that connection, I need to ask God to direct my thinking and to help me to be of service. Oftentimes, as if by magic, I am able to not act on those defects. Going forward, if I remember to align my will with God’s, I find that I do a better job in managing my character defects.

Final thought: Today, I ask God to help my will be aligned with my Higher Power’s so I can be free of my character defects.