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Walking Into Walls: 5 Blind Spots that Block God's Work in You
All of us crash into self-constructed walls and bloody our noses from time to time. These walls block growth, healthy relationships and overall contentment and happiness. Most of us are blind to our own self-defeating behaviors and attitudes, so we repeatedly walk into the same walls again and again. Best-selling author Stephen Arterburn leads us through the process of deconstructing the issues that built those walls as well as find the permanent healing that frees us to live the joyful life we were meant to live.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
16 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Stephen F. Arterburn
257 books154 followersStephen Arterburn is the founder and chairman of New Life Ministries—the nation's largest faith-based broadcast, counseling, and treatment ministry—and is the host of the nationally syndicated New Life Live! daily radio program aired on over 180 radio stations nationwide, Sirius XM radio, and on television. Steve is also the founder of the Women of Faith conferences, attended by over 4 million women, and of HisMatchforMe.com.
Steve is a nationally known public speaker and has been featured in national media venues such as Oprah, Inside Edition, Good Morning America, CNN Live, the New York Times, USA Today, and US News & World Report.
In August 2000, Steve was inducted into the National Speakers Association's Hall of Fame. A bestselling author, Steve has written more than one hundred books, including the popular Every Man's series and his most recent book, Healing Is a Choice. He is a Gold Medallion–winning author and has been nominated for numerous other writing awards.
Steve has degrees from Baylor University and the University of North Texas as well as two honorary doctorate degrees. Steve is a teaching pastor at Northview Church in suburban Indianapolis and resides with his family in Indiana.
Steve is a nationally known public speaker and has been featured in national media venues such as Oprah, Inside Edition, Good Morning America, CNN Live, the New York Times, USA Today, and US News & World Report.
In August 2000, Steve was inducted into the National Speakers Association's Hall of Fame. A bestselling author, Steve has written more than one hundred books, including the popular Every Man's series and his most recent book, Healing Is a Choice. He is a Gold Medallion–winning author and has been nominated for numerous other writing awards.
Steve has degrees from Baylor University and the University of North Texas as well as two honorary doctorate degrees. Steve is a teaching pastor at Northview Church in suburban Indianapolis and resides with his family in Indiana.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 24, 2012
I didn't know what to first expect, when I started reading, "Walking into Walls:5 Blind Spots that Block God's Work in You".
Was it self-help?
Is it a motivational?
What blind spots are we even talking about, but as I begun to read through Stephen Arterburn's book, I was impressed by, not just the style of writing, which was very laid back and conversational (always a good thing), but although this, like any book, is never a substitute for actual, face to face therapy, that is beneficial to work through whatever is on one's heart, "Walking into Walls:5 Blind Spots that Block God's Work in You", really helps begin the first steps toward identifying the walls, that we can put up in our lives, that not only hinder a productive, healthy living and relationships in our lives, but can also hinder our walk with God.
Now, does any of this sound like part of us, or all of us:
1. Stubborn resistance, and/or
2. Arrogant entitlement, and/or
3. Justifiable resentment, and/or
4. Disconnected isolation, and/or
5, Blind ignorance.
Maybe.....maybe not.
"Walking into Walls:5 Blind Spots that Block God's Work in You" isn't a book that is either condemning or difficult.
The reality is that , we all have, currently or may experience at some point in our lives,one or all of these blind spots and what Stephen Arterburn, does, is with gentle guidance, encouraging anecdotes that help us see how these "walls" can blind us without knowing and even understanding through Scripture, really helps the reader, no matter how small or big the circumstances in their lives, deal with these walls, that we put up in our lives.
Currently the book is available in hardback and there is a study guide for readers to work at their own pace or with a study group and readers will find, that the book is very easy reading, yet conveys a very powerful message that we don't have to be held back by past experiences that contribute to the walls and blind spots that we carry into our present and sometimes into our futures.
I like the illustrations that Stephen Arterburn makes, blending both scripture and pop culture that really helps us identify with the examples he conveys about the walls that are built up and with them, the blind spots that can keep us from seeing what holds us captive and at the same time allowing God to do the dynamic work, HE wants to do with us and give us the future He has planned.
As shared, I started this book out with hesitation, due to, it's easy to try to offer easy solutions that are not often applicable to hard situations, and "Walking Into Walls" doesn't do this, nor does this promise to "fix your life, your car, your relationships", but instead is about getting to the beginning steps that are needed to move forward in one's life.
The interesting thing is that, there is a realization that we all carry walls and blind spots in our lives, that either we maybe aware of or just try to conveniently ignore and with the writing style of Stephen Arterburn, he really helps break down ways we can discover those walls and blind spots without it being a "log confrontation".
The reading, is in itself, just a 135 pages with the study guide that is included, taking up a good half of the other book, but from the study guide itself, its both a mixture of using Scripture for reference and growth as a Christian, and self-discovery at the same time.
The book makes then, for not only a good personal time reading, but when read in a group study, a great character growth journey, with others who may feel like they are "stuck" in the same patterns.
It really opens up to questions we may have about feeling insecure, maybe dealing with past issues, just being brave to take on new directions in life.
For all the hesitations I had going into the book initially, I came out of it, really finding this to be, for a "short book", very impressive. It's very impressive, because there are "things" in all of us, that we can work on....not to be perfect, which is not possible or even healthy to try to attain, but so we can keep moving forward into having positive, healthy relationships and lives.
Stephen Arterburn's writing is emotional; He writes to connect with the reader and to speak directly to them and he definitely achieves that in, "Walking Into Walls", while at the same time, you get that feeling of, "Oh wow, he does get it", which many of times, there are those who do need to just hear that, not to be fixed or lectured, but to know....people do understand and the book achieves it on that level.
On another level, "Walking into Walls" helps bring a better understanding of how our experiences can both help and also hinder us and how to not let it become traps that keeps us in a bondage of bitterness,denial, lies and blindness that affects all areas of our lives and how we interact with other people and just how it can affect our own journeys.
The steps that are provided, are very practical and down to earth. Stephen Arterburn doesn't share anything that would seem impossible,but rather very plausible and workable.
So, overall, "Walking Into Walls" is great reading really for anyone who finds themselves feeling stagnant in their lives, or maybe finding themselves, either physically or mentally repeating unhealthy habits and actions that are keeping them from moving forward.
Was it self-help?
Is it a motivational?
What blind spots are we even talking about, but as I begun to read through Stephen Arterburn's book, I was impressed by, not just the style of writing, which was very laid back and conversational (always a good thing), but although this, like any book, is never a substitute for actual, face to face therapy, that is beneficial to work through whatever is on one's heart, "Walking into Walls:5 Blind Spots that Block God's Work in You", really helps begin the first steps toward identifying the walls, that we can put up in our lives, that not only hinder a productive, healthy living and relationships in our lives, but can also hinder our walk with God.
Now, does any of this sound like part of us, or all of us:
1. Stubborn resistance, and/or
2. Arrogant entitlement, and/or
3. Justifiable resentment, and/or
4. Disconnected isolation, and/or
5, Blind ignorance.
Maybe.....maybe not.
"Walking into Walls:5 Blind Spots that Block God's Work in You" isn't a book that is either condemning or difficult.
The reality is that , we all have, currently or may experience at some point in our lives,one or all of these blind spots and what Stephen Arterburn, does, is with gentle guidance, encouraging anecdotes that help us see how these "walls" can blind us without knowing and even understanding through Scripture, really helps the reader, no matter how small or big the circumstances in their lives, deal with these walls, that we put up in our lives.
Currently the book is available in hardback and there is a study guide for readers to work at their own pace or with a study group and readers will find, that the book is very easy reading, yet conveys a very powerful message that we don't have to be held back by past experiences that contribute to the walls and blind spots that we carry into our present and sometimes into our futures.
I like the illustrations that Stephen Arterburn makes, blending both scripture and pop culture that really helps us identify with the examples he conveys about the walls that are built up and with them, the blind spots that can keep us from seeing what holds us captive and at the same time allowing God to do the dynamic work, HE wants to do with us and give us the future He has planned.
As shared, I started this book out with hesitation, due to, it's easy to try to offer easy solutions that are not often applicable to hard situations, and "Walking Into Walls" doesn't do this, nor does this promise to "fix your life, your car, your relationships", but instead is about getting to the beginning steps that are needed to move forward in one's life.
The interesting thing is that, there is a realization that we all carry walls and blind spots in our lives, that either we maybe aware of or just try to conveniently ignore and with the writing style of Stephen Arterburn, he really helps break down ways we can discover those walls and blind spots without it being a "log confrontation".
The reading, is in itself, just a 135 pages with the study guide that is included, taking up a good half of the other book, but from the study guide itself, its both a mixture of using Scripture for reference and growth as a Christian, and self-discovery at the same time.
The book makes then, for not only a good personal time reading, but when read in a group study, a great character growth journey, with others who may feel like they are "stuck" in the same patterns.
It really opens up to questions we may have about feeling insecure, maybe dealing with past issues, just being brave to take on new directions in life.
For all the hesitations I had going into the book initially, I came out of it, really finding this to be, for a "short book", very impressive. It's very impressive, because there are "things" in all of us, that we can work on....not to be perfect, which is not possible or even healthy to try to attain, but so we can keep moving forward into having positive, healthy relationships and lives.
Stephen Arterburn's writing is emotional; He writes to connect with the reader and to speak directly to them and he definitely achieves that in, "Walking Into Walls", while at the same time, you get that feeling of, "Oh wow, he does get it", which many of times, there are those who do need to just hear that, not to be fixed or lectured, but to know....people do understand and the book achieves it on that level.
On another level, "Walking into Walls" helps bring a better understanding of how our experiences can both help and also hinder us and how to not let it become traps that keeps us in a bondage of bitterness,denial, lies and blindness that affects all areas of our lives and how we interact with other people and just how it can affect our own journeys.
The steps that are provided, are very practical and down to earth. Stephen Arterburn doesn't share anything that would seem impossible,but rather very plausible and workable.
So, overall, "Walking Into Walls" is great reading really for anyone who finds themselves feeling stagnant in their lives, or maybe finding themselves, either physically or mentally repeating unhealthy habits and actions that are keeping them from moving forward.
August 19, 2018
This book gives some eye-opening ideas to ponder from a Christian perspective. It is a self-help book that, in my opinion, could really help people to change their attitudes and move on from past experiences. Includes a study guide for reflection and Biblical verses that accompany each chapter.
May 12, 2018
Such good stuff in this book. I love the honestly and vulnerability of Stephen Arterburn. This is my favorite of his books now.
April 15, 2012
Sometimes it can feel like you are constantly walking into walls. You make it through one tough situation. Then, wham you find yourself in a similar situation. After a while, it’s hard to see any way out.
Walking into Walls looks at five common blind spots that keep us stuck: stubborn resistance, arrogant entitlement, justifiable resentment, disconnected isolation, and blind ignorance. I think at some time, we’ve probably all had our fill of these walls. If we are really honest, there are probably one or two of these wall builders making a problem in our current life all that much more difficult.
It’s definitely not easy to see the blind spots we create for ourselves. However, looking at things from a slightly different perspective can make all the difference. We can finally get unstuck and move on with life.
Walking into Walls looks at five common blind spots that keep us stuck: stubborn resistance, arrogant entitlement, justifiable resentment, disconnected isolation, and blind ignorance. I think at some time, we’ve probably all had our fill of these walls. If we are really honest, there are probably one or two of these wall builders making a problem in our current life all that much more difficult.
It’s definitely not easy to see the blind spots we create for ourselves. However, looking at things from a slightly different perspective can make all the difference. We can finally get unstuck and move on with life.
July 1, 2013
Definition of insanity - doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. Those self-defeating behaviors that keep us "stuck" are the walls that Stephen Arterburn refers to in this book. The book gives lots of good examples and specific ways of dealing with things that have affected us but that we did not necessarilly have any control over. I felt like it was mostly geared to victims of past childhood abuse, which may be why I did not connect with it so much. It would be a good book for those who have those issues in their lives. Scripturally based, but not overly dogmatic. There is a workbook portion, along with links to videos from the author for each section, at the back to actually put the strategies into practice. Nighly readable and some memorable sections I will re-read and refer back to.
February 15, 2016
Some pretty useful information in this book, that forces you to evaluate where you have put up walls & how that can effect God's work in and through you. I also enjoyed the additional study guide and videos available.
October 27, 2011
Every one should read this book. It really allows you to reflect on your life and the walls that you have definitely built that are keeping you from living up to your joys in life. READ IT!
October 9, 2012
I didn't agree with everything in this book but overall...Stephen Arterburn makes you aware of the walls we create and the solutions to break down those walls.
March 14, 2013
Great book about how to get healthy emotionally. Lots of great practical, Biblical advice. Well worth the read. Loved the chapter on how to get unstuck.
October 8, 2013
Good stuff for dealing with past pain and other issues. Not as good as his Every Man series but still very useful.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews