Disclosure

Get a Grip by Dr Doug Weiss on Youversion

Why in the world would I tell anyone what is going on with me?

If you’re asking yourself this question, I know the feeling. I mean, the idea seemed totally preposterous to me as well. I’ll never forget how I cried out to God for years to get free from something that was controlling me. Then one day God clearly impressed upon me to tell my roommate about my struggle. Telling someone that I had a problem seemed like the most insane thing I could do. I remember arguing a little bit about this with God. Thankfully, I finally obeyed His prompting and discovered the power of letting secrets go.

So why does disclosure work? The Scripture states that if we bring something to the light, it becomes light. (See Ephesians 5:13.) James 5:16 also states to confess our faults one to another so that we can be healed.

Can you remember being afraid of something in the corner of your bedroom at night as a child? Convinced that a monster lurked at the foot of the bed, only to find that it was just a simple toy when the light was turned on! The same is true of our sin. When we keep it hidden in the dark, the problem can seem overwhelming. But when our situation is brought into the light, we can look at it for what it is and deal with it honestly. This new perspective brings renewed strength and sweet relief to our lives.

Whom Should I Tell?

This is an important question, as not everyone needs to know your story nor should you spend all your time trying to find the “perfect person” because perfect people don’t exist! Here are a few things to keep in mind when finding the right person to disclose your out-of-control behaviors to.

Find someone who is:

1. Honest

2. Able to keep a confidence

3. Available

4. Accepting

5. Not family

6. Spiritually mature

7. Professional

I know you might be having all kinds of feelings right about now. Shame from one secret can keep a soul stuck in self-destructive behaviors for a lifetime. But please believe me when I tell you that the freedom you will experience is worth overcoming your fear of sharing.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

James 5:16 NIV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 NIV

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:12 NIV

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Proverbs 28:13 NIV

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.

Ephesians 5:13 NIV