HEALING TREE HOPE 1.2

Are you captive to some powerful behavior which will not release you? Are you surrendering your freedom to this controlling power?

There is hope for those in captivity to oppressive forces. Hope arrives when we consider ourselves in different ways on the pathway to being released from oppression. One way to consider the self is to identify the "mask" concealing fear, shame, and guilt. These menacing oppressors will rise up and require dominion! Usually, their control demands aid in temporary relief, but this control is of long-term harm. Once the "aid" is no longer aiding in improving feelings, fear, shame and guilt are still present.

Those created in the image of God have capacities more powerful than fear, shame, and guilt! Image bearers of God who have accepted their freedom in Christ do not have to be captive to the power of oppressive forces. Fear, shame, and guilt are forces of oppression.

Fear keeps us stuck in self-denial and stifles our potential. Shame hampers us from aspiring and causes under achievement. Guilt hinders self-development and holds us in limitation.

You are invited to pursue freedom from the chains of fear, shame, and guilt this month.

"Let's break the chains that hold us back and throw off the ropes that tie us down (Psalm 2:3).

Consider the following question: Were you responsible for the event that's holding you captive in fear, shame, and guilt? When you make peace with the answer to the question, practice the liberation steps below.

• Intentionally deny fear access to your mind. Put it to rest (Psalm 27, Psalm 46, Psalm 56).

• Renew your strength by pausing and waiting. This will give you the capacity to look away from the harmful path and seek a new path. God rewards those who wait for His guidance (Isaiah 40: 31, Psalm 27:14, Psalm 37:7).

• Practice a new level of trust by renewing your mind in order to redefine yourself. Trust in God's truth to deliver from shame (Psalm 103:12, Romans 10:11).

Patricia R. Williams, Ph. D., D. Min., LMFT

Ordained Clergywoman, Writer, Pastoral Psychotherapist

Co-Founder and Board President--Sacred Scripts, Inc.