You may be wondering what a faith blocker is. Well, it could be a number of things. I have found that usually faith blockers are thoughts or pessimistic people. No matter what they are your faith life would grow more freely without the weeds of faith blockers interfering.
Here is an example of a thought that is a faith blocker…
“I know God can heal me but even if he doesn’t he is still God.”
Now the above statement is true. However, there is some doubt included in the thought. I was better able to understand the root of the doubt when my pastor shared some information about that form of theos, or idea of God.
My pastor has a master’s degree and doctorate in Divinity. What makes him so awesome is that he is a human development expert so not only does he know the God stuff, but he also has an understanding of how the human experience can affect one’s ability to fully embrace and see the God stuff. This is a very powerful combination to have when you serve God by leading people.
I learned from Dr. Adams that the faith blocking thought “I know God can, but I don’t know if he will do it for me” often comes from a person who has self esteem problems. Even if they don't have self esteem problems this individual often has had life experiences they have taught them not get their hopes up to high lest they be dashed. There are legitimate reasons that people think this way. It is completely understandable from a humanistic perspective. However, if one is to ever embrace God for who he truly is one must come to terms with anything that gets in the way of embracing Him. Sometimes it is as simple as asking God to remove it. Sometimes that means processing through past experiences with a spiritual counselor. I personally have used both methods in order to come to know God as He is, rather than my understanding of Him.
Another example of a faith blocker is doubt that may enter your mind because the lack of visual supportive evidence. God has told me something recently. It totally seems left field. From a natural perspective it is totally out there. Yet God has me preparing for something that I desire but have no evidence in the natural realm to lead me to believe it will happen. What I know about God is that He doesn’t set His children up to look like fools. I also know that like a father reading a story he is familiar with to His child who has never heard the story, God knows what’s next even when I don’t. He knows the end from the beginning.
I had a close friend who is a great man of faith and who has studied God’s word for years tell me that nothing surprises God. He reminded me that God knows the beginning from the end. Nothing that can happen is going to change the story. So when I start to feel anxious I just remember that God knows even what I don’t. I also know that His thoughts are for my good, to give me a future and a hope. If I just stay with Him come hell on earth or high water I will always be fine because He is with me. I will also have exactly what is in His plan for me. If I being a human parent, flawed and imperfect could plan to give good things to my children what more would my Heavenly Father who is perfect in all His ways do for me, His child?
Another example of a faith blocker comes in human form. It is a well meaning “friend” or family member who thinks they are just trying to “keep you on track and in reality”. The reality is sometimes God will share something with you that has no supporting evidence for it today. You can believe in what God says and still take care of today.
The best way to rid yourself of these kinds of faith blockers is to be very discerning with the information you share with others. If someone has proven themselves to be a faith blocker in the past, don’t share with them. If they ask you how things are going just because they are “concerned” you can respond “Things are going exactly as God has planned” and keep it moving!
Pray and ask for what I call faith friends. These are other believers you can share your “Noah message” with who won’t mock you but actually will get excited with you and pray for you!
I pray today that we would remove every “weight…that does so easily beset us”. One such weight could be in the form of a faith blocker. Get rid of the faith blockers in your life so you can enjoy the anticipation of God’s word coming to past in your life.
Be well,
Chenille
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