Beginning on September 11, over 35 congregations from across the region – representing over 50,000 people -kicked off the Walls Project: a six-week journey intent on unleaching God’s promises as we tore down the spiritual barriers that were separating the Church from one another, the Church from the community where we live, and most importantly, separating the people of God from the abundant lives they were created to enjoy.  Since we began to wrap up the Walls series, it became more and more apparent that the people weren’t done with the idea of tearing down walls.

“God stories” continue to pour in.  Of senior adult leaders who finally faced walls of bitterness and isolation that had been holding them back for decades.  Of pastors taking on walls of bitterness toward other fellow pastors.  Of husbands and wives tearing down the walls that were dividing and destroying their homes.  Of families – literally – taking sledge hammers to the physical walls that had been built to represent the invisible ones that were just as real.  Of ordinary people discovering the Breakthrough of Grace offered by Jesus, and removing the wall of guilt and shame through salvation.

And on the stories go, as they continue to gather and expand and lead to new breakthroughs.  I’m praying that the Walls didn’t stop coming down in November – or even linger into December.  I’m praying that’ve just scratched the surface of what God is going to do as He removes the barriers that hold us back.  Thank you God for 2011!  And thank you God for the promise of 2012!  Let the walls come down.

[4] For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. [5] We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, [6] being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

(2 Corinthians 10:4-6 ESV)

As you may already know, we believe that there are eight primary walls.  Each of these eight can manifest itself in distinct ways – which brings us to forty.  Check out the printable (PDF) version of the Forty Walls here:

Forty Walls

Identifying your wall is a major step toward a Faith Breakthrough.  Let the Walls come down!

1.  The wall listed after you complete the assessment is one of eight that represent several in each category.  They represent many more walls.  Remember – walls can be as numerous as the unhealthy mindsets that can impact our thought lives.  In fact, once you complete the assessment, if you click on the button that invites you to learn more, you will receive a listing of several walls within that category.  This means that the assessment doesn’t just point to eight walls, but forty different walls.  For example, you might have completed the assessment and discovered a Wall of Isolation.  You found yourself saying, “No way!  I’m a very social person!”  But that only tells part of the story about this wall.  Neglecting to see God as loving can impact relationships in numerous ways.  For example, a Wall of Anger can appear under this category.  You can see all Forty Walls by clicking here, and print a “PDF” of those Walls for future reference.

2. Keep in mind that the questions you answered on the assessment relate directly to the attributes of God.  That means the main point about the Wall you are facing is that you are having a difficult time seeing God for who He is according to one of His attributes.  That’s the most important thing to consider.  Don’t forget the MIQ (Most Important Question) – “Who is God?” – and its importance in this process.

3.  Finally, this assessment is not intended to be a deep scientific instrument to probe the furthest reaches of your psyche.  Only you can know whether you honestly answered the questions. But if you did, then these results of those answers really do say something about how you see God – and how those mindsets may be impacting your life in ways you haven’t noticed.  Don’t be too quick to dismiss what the Holy Spirit may be wanting you to see about yourself.

Tearing down Walls isn’t an easy process.  But it may be one of the most rewarding things you ever do.  As you look back over your assessment, as God to show you the next steps that you need to take to move closer to a Faith Breakthrough.