“Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.”
– Step 8
“Every A.A. has found that he can make little headway until he first makes an accurate and unsparing survey of the human wreckage he has left in his wake.”
– Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
There are two parts to Step 8.
1. Make a list of those you have hurt. Do this on paper. Take your time. Include yourself and include your God. Include those you can eventually go to and those you can’t.
2. Be willing to make amends to them all. This is a willingness step. Make yourself available to God – and others.
Jesus was a huge advocate of the 8th Step. He said, “If your brother or sister has something against you, go and be reconciled to them” (Matthew 5:23).
Recovery Step: Make a list of all persons you have harmed, and become willing to make amends to them all.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
