Ever been stopped by an obstacle?
Ever been hindered by a sin?
Ever been stalled in your Christian growth?
Ever been stumped about what next step to take?
"...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin
that so easily entangles,
and let us run with perseverance the race marked
out for us" (Hebrews 12:1).
Marked out for you here are some biblical and practical
steps in overcoming hindrances in your Christian life. As the account
in Mark 9:14-29 shows, giving ourselves in prayer is always the first step
in overcoming hindrances. Read the instructions
that follow to use the chart below in
identifying a hindrance, determining the next step needed, and praying
scripturally and specifically
for God's help.
Instructions to use the chart below: TOP
1. Identify the hindrance.
Fill in every blank on the chart below with one thing
(Be as specific as possible)
that is a hinderance for you.
SOME EXAMPLES:
- staying in my marriage
- tithing
- thanking God in all things
- reading my Bible
- memorizing Scripture
- witnessing
- forgiving ___________
- attending church
- spending time with my kids
- loving my spouse
- giving financially to missions
- managing my time
- managing my money
- serving my church
- praying for missions
- encouraging others
- praying for ___________
- dying to my self
- actively participating in worship - controlling my
tongue
- building intentional relationships - etcetera
- taking every thought captive for Christ
2. Identify the point of hindrance.
Use the first column of the chart to identify at which
(Be
as honest and accurate as possible)
quality-level you are lacking in regards to your identified
hinderance (see II Peter 1:5-7):
FAITH, GOODNESS, KNOWLEDGE,
SELF CONTROL, PERSEVERANCE,
GODLINESS, BROTHERLY KINDNESS,
or LOVE.
3. Ask God for help (PRAY!)
Ask God for an increased measure of the quality just
identified that you are lacking. Use the last column
of the chart to pray scripturally for the quality you
need to add to your life in the area in which you've
been hindered.
4. Follow God's guidance.
5. Seek help (accountability)
from your friends.
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for
for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of
a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16).
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on
toward love and good deeds.... Let us encourage one
another...." (Hebrews 10:24-25).
GIVING OURSELVES IN PRAYER: TOP
ALWAYS THE FIRST STEP IN OVERCOMING HINDRANCES
Mark 9:14-29
WHAT
I don't believe in
Trusting God more surely
FAITH
"I do believe, help me
overcome my unbelief!"
_______________ with_______________
Mk. 9:24
(because I don't trust
God enough).
I don't want to
Desiring what God desires GOODNESS
"Father... not my will, but
yours be done."
_________________
concerning ____________
"I want to know Christ and
the power of his resurrection
and the fellowship of his
sufferings, becoming like
him...."
Lk. 22:42;Phil. 3:10-11
I don't know how to
Learning God's ways
KNOWLEDGE "Teach me your ways, O
Lord,
and I will walk in your
________________
concerning ____________
truth.... "
"Show me your ways, O Lord,
teach me your paths; guide
me in your truth and teach
me, for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day
long."
Ps. 86:11a; Ps. 25:4-5
I don't ___________
Doing what God says
SELF-CONTROL
Lord, I commit to the You
whatever I do, so that my plans
about _____________
will succeed as You promised.
See Pr. 16:3
I'm inconsistent in
Developing a lifestyle of PERSEVERANCE
"Search
me, O God, and know
my heart; try me and know my
________________
____________________
anxious thoughts. See if there
is any offensive way in me and
lead me in the way everlasting."
Ps. 139:23-24
My _____________
Developing a quality of
GODLINESS
In view of your mercy, God, I
is more full of me than
________________that
offer my body as a living
God.
portrays God's __________.
sacrifice, holy and pleasing to
You - this is my spiritual act of
worship. I will no longer
conform to the pattern of this
world, but will be transformed
by the renewing of my mind.
Then I will be able to test and
approve what God's will is for
me concerning ____________
- His good, pleasing and perfect
will.... I will not think of myself
more highly than I ought, but
rather think of myself with
sober judgment, in accordance
with the measure of faith God
has given me.
See Rom. 12:1-3
God, make all grace abound to
me, so that in all things at all
times, having all that I need, I
will abound in my __________.
See II Cor. 9:8
My ______________
Directing ____________ BROTHERLY
Lord, help me be like-minded,
is more to my than
towards the benefit of
KINDNESS
have the same love, be one in
others' benefit.
others.
spirit and purpose with others
of your saints. Keep me from
doing anything out of selfish
ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility may I consider others
better than myself. Help me,
Lord, to look not only to my
own interests, but also to the
interests of others. May my
attitude be the same as that of
Christ Jesus....
See Phil. 2:2-5
My ______________
Making ________________ LOVE
Lord, may ____________ be a
is merely routine, lacking an
expression of my love for
true outcome of my loving
heart and joy.
God and my "neighbor".
patience and kindness. May my
motivation behind __________
be pure love, without envy,
boasting, or pride. Keep
_____________ from ever
becoming a source of rudeness,
self-seeking, quick anger, or
grudges for me. In _________,
help me be discerning so I might
abhore evil and rejoice with the
truth. May ______________
always produce protection,
trust, hope, and victory, never
failing to demonstrate Your
great love!
See I Cor. 13:4-8