Getting Free from Shame/Fear/Control

Getting free from the shame/fear/control stronghold we've been talking about this week generally takes help/ministry from a friend, pastor, counselor, or all of the above. That's just the way it is. We'd like to do it ourselves so we don't expose our shame about having shame. Doh! Do you see the cycle playing itself out even in trying to get free from it?

Opening up to another person about all this kicks fear in the head, because we're taking the risk. And without fear, shame has no power, and we have no need to control. Taking that risk is an act of faith; we're trusting God to keep us safe, rather than doing it ourselves.

And there's another key reason to involve someone else in our process of getting free. We got into the clutches of the shame/fear/control stronghold by believing lies, by being deceived. There's a funny thing about being deceived – we don't know we're deceived. By definition – think about what the word “deceived” means. So it's easy to think we've gotten free from it when we really haven't. We all need a trusted circle (at least one person but hopefully a few) who will tell us the truth that no one else will.

The big thing is praying to replace ungodly beliefs with godly ones. While you're praying, renounce the ungodly belief as a lie (out loud), and state the godly belief that you now believe (out loud). The person praying with you can pronounce freedom to you. (“Confess your sins one to another” James 5:16.)

This is very powerful stuff. It's not about saying magic words. It's about saying out-loud what you believe in your heart, and hearing someone else say out loud their blessing over us. Because we have governmental authority (see my post on this subject, here's the link: http://www.davewernli.com/2014/07/we-have-governmental-authority.html).

I cannot recommend this highly enough. It may seem a little strange at first – but trust me on this one. It is so much better to be free – you'll be so glad you did.