Tue 18 Oct 2011
11 Signs That Your Prophetic Gift Is Being Held Back
Posted by Helen Calder under Developing the Prophetic Gift, Prophetic Ministry, Prophetic Teaching
[27] Comments
One of the things I am passionate about is helping people to grow in their spiritual gifts—especially prophecy. [1]
People regularly share with me that they believe they have a gift of prophecy, but are not sure how to begin developing it.
Sometimes they express fear or embarrassment about stepping out with a prophetic insight, because they lack confidence.
I also come across prophetic people who tell me that they used to flow in the gift of prophecy but feel it has become blocked or closed down in comparison to how it used to be.
These Christians long for the ‘good old days,’ when they felt released in their gifts and saw miraculous things happen as a result.
This is why, over the next little while, I am going to be producing some articles on how to move forward and break through limitations in relation to prophetic gifts and ministry. [2]
But I need your help.
I would like to hear your thoughts on this topic, any struggles, what obstacles and barriers you have experienced personally, as well as testimonies and ideas for breakthrough.
So after the articles, I will be asking questions. Please contribute using the comments facility on the blog. It is amazing how many people will identify with your journey—you may even encourage others who are having similar struggles.
Identifying a Limitation is Good News
Identifying a potential barrier to the growth of your gift or ministry is good news—for it is the first step to empowering you to break free and enter into the ‘more’ that God has for you.
In fact, in God’s Kingdom there is always more!
And you can turn that seeming obstacle into a stepping-stone to greater growth and fruitfulness.
Signs that you are Being held back in Your Prophetic gift
Here are eleven signs that there may be a limiting factor holding you back in your prophetic gift or ministry.
If you do not have a gift of prophecy, replace the words ‘prophecy’ or ‘prophetic ministry’ with the name of your gift or ministry.
See if you can identify with any of these:
1. You used to believe you were called to prophetic ministry [3] but now you are not so sure
2. You are wondering why your prophetic gift seems to be hidden and not recognised by other Christians or by leaders in the church
3. It is a long time since you stepped out, took a faith risk, and did something new in the use of your prophetic gift
4. You are drifting and have a lack of direction in your prophetic gift or ministry
5. You feel barren and are wondering where the fruitfulness is that you were promised or initially experienced when you started out
6. You recognise that difficulties in the use of your prophetic gift began with an event that occurred in your past
7. You are not sure what to do to get to the next level of growth in your gift of prophecy
8. You have been hurt or wounded in relation to your prophetic gift and haven’t gotten over it
9. You are not receiving opportunities to use and bless others through your gift that you would like to have
10.You are content with your current level of experience and do not have the motivation to press through for growth in your prophetic gift
11.You do have opportunities to use the gift of prophecy, but it is not flowing as smoothly or as accurately as you would like, or have known in the past.
Now, some questions for you:
- Can you identify with any of the above issues?
- Are there any other signs that you can think of, or have experienced, that you are being held back in your spiritual gift of prophecy?
Leave a comment in the comments section at the end of this post. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.
Over the next little while we will be looking at how to overcome some barriers to growth in your gift. Many of these will apply to other gifts, not just prophecy.
Some of the things I will be considering include:
- Fear
- Not knowing where to start
- The effect of past hurts
- Apathy
- Not being released or given opportunities
Feel free to forward or share these articles with others who may be helped by them.
Notes:
[1] The gift of prophecy is the Spirit-empowered ability to receive and convey a message from God—to make known the Father’s mind, intention and purposes.
[2] If you are interested in developing your gift, the e-book ‘Grow Your Prophetic And Prayer Gifts’ is a tool to help you identify which stage of development you are in and move to the next level.
[3] By prophetic ministry, I do not mean a role or position. Prophetic ministry occurs when you use your prophetic gift to love and help people in a way that brings them closer to God and releases them into His purposes. As Paul says, ‘the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.’ (1 Cor 14:3)
Related Posts:
Why Is My Spiritual Gift Or Ministry Not Being Released?
Break Free Of Hurts That Are Blocking Your Prophetic Gift
© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog
On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church
I would say that I identify with the following points Helen:
1. ????
2. ~
3. ????
4. ????
5. ~
6. ????
7. ????
8. ????
9. X
10. X
11. ????
I can distinctly remember the time that I was shut down. I was doing the wrong thing, but wasn’t handled well. Being only 19 at the time I thought it was better from that point to just keep my mouth shut.
Nghaaa… those question marks are supposed to be ticks. That’ll learn me for trying to get fancy now won’t it?
Hi Tim, not sure what you were trying to do with the ticks, but the question marks have character, so I’m going to leave them
Yes, totally know where you’re at, sadly, happens to so many of us. This is one of the things I’m going to explore over the next few weeks. Would love to see you released in your prophetic gift, Tim, keep in touch on this one.
This is exactly what i’m going through this season , i have received a number of prophecies regarding my ministry and actually it was first dreams of me ministering to the multitudes and prophecy to me was a confirmation , but right now honestly speaking i try as much as i can to run away from prophets because i so much attract their attention and i would receive more or less the same prophecy aout my ministry and nobody has ever told me how to activate that prophetic word , yes i spent time fellowshiping with God ,meditate on the word of God and reach out to people , yes right now i feel barren , my prayer life has dropped , i feel things are hidden for me , dont know what to do to get to my next level , i’m drifting and have lack of direction , i feel i need to spend time alone and even when i pray i dont know what t ask God anymore so when i enter into my prayer closet i just worship Him pray in tongues and just thank Him for what He is doing , what comes into my spirit right now is that Paul was there for Timothy , Samuel was there for Saul and David , Elijah was there for Elisha , i believe i need a midwife someone who will unlock or help me give birth to what im carrying, im not content i need of God now than i ever did before , i sense a disconnection of some sort , and i can hear myself weeping deep from within , i really dont want the baby im carrying t be aborted please help me i need direction , one prophet of God told me that the anointing upon my life has overstayed and until now i wondered whatmust i do , i said yes to the calling and i’m making myself available to be used my God and i’m in a big church were it is so difficult to even talk to my pastor about what im going , the dreams i’m seeing ,because it depends on who you are to see the Pastor , May the Almighty use you to minister direction into my life in a level at which i will be able to comprehend and understand it , God bless you as you do that
Hi Vienna,
It sounds as though you have some exciting things ahead in the call of God on your life. This also brings challenges along the way, and I understand and can relate to the hardship you are experiencing. Here are a few thoughts, feel free to leave another comment in response to these:
**There is usually a long lead time between the call of God coming, and the prophecies, and the call being fulfilled. So don’t be concerned that it isn’t happening straight away. The call of God being fulfilled on my life right now originated with prophetic words and a personal call more than 30 years ago, and a prophecy very specific to what I am doing now 20 years ago. This is a Biblical pattern, as is a ‘wilderness’ period (David, Moses, Paul, etc)
**This article on a ministry call may be helpful http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2011/06/29/do-you-have-a-ministry-call/
**It is right to process the prophecies and ministry call with your leadership. In a large church, it can be difficult to communicate with the senior pastor, so another leader, even a small group leader to start off with is good, and take it from there
**It seems that you are doing everything you know to do, I believe that as you are faithful God will make the way open in His time
**You can also trust your Heavenly Father to bring the right mentors into your life for the seasons that you go through, He is your Provider and He has your life, your cause and you call in His hands (Isaiah 49:16)
I pray that you enter a place of rest and trust in relation to your call and that God’s Word and love be tangible to you today.
Shoooo I can Identify with Vienna…. I too sit with prophetic words , intercession for my prohecies. Believing God and yet I have failure upon failure to see the prophecy come to pass.
And part of the prophecy is to speak into people’s lives, encouraging the body of Christ. Now how can I do that if I am u not encouraged?
Yet I do not have any doubt nor unbelief! a barrenness , dry place, that;s what I experience. Desperately trying to take my prayer life up a notch, and all that I face is distractions, studies that take up my time. Yes I need direction too , to get me back on track to hear fro ABBA! Especially if I am where Abba wants me right this moment in my life. I too ask of God to use you speaking his heart to me as I am trusting him for a word.
Thanks for your wonderful teachings . God bless
Hi Nadia,
Some of the thoughts I have shared with Vienna, above, also relate to your situation.
Today I pray this scripture for you:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom 15:13)
I also pray that you will be powerfully encouraged and find a place of rest in your current circumstances.
I believe that it is not a question of failure (so long as you are staying on track in your relationship with God) but of timing. Keep an eye on the blog over the next few weeks, I trust there will be more to inspire you on your journey.
I remember a brother prayed over me and spoke. leader…prophet. Some time later a woman prayed over me and told me i had the gift of prophecy and why wasnt i using it. I felt dumb being that I had no clue…Only for the fact of a thought would come to mind like someones name and then that person would call me or I thought of an event while sitting in a dr. office and lo and behold an earthquake took place. a small one but it happened. I will pray about something and what i was praying about i will read a prophetic word about that very thing I was praying about.stuff like that. One time being in a atmosphere of prophets one spoke of fire and with our eyes closed i could actually smell smoke like a real fire. But I feel so out of tune…kind of a bummer….im curious about it but have no clue as to how to fine tune myself to use it to the fullest.
Hi there Martha, thank you for leaving a comment
It does sound as though you have some prophetic traits. Here is a blog article in which I outline some signs that might be helpful – http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2009/08/21/what-are-some-signs-that-you-have-a-prophetic-gift/
Keep checking back over the blog over the next few weeks, as I will give some more thoughts about developing your gift from an early stage.
Having two people give you a prophecy about having a prophetic gift sounds like a confirmation, have you been able to process this with a leader in the church?
I don’t believe that the part of the word ‘why aren’t you using it’ sounds like God–more likely from the soul of the person giving the prophecy. We should alway be free to weigh up a prophecy and discard anything that feels wrong. The Father’s voice is loving and encouraging, He doesn’t belittle or intimidate. How would you feel about releasing this part of the prophecy as not being from God–and instead receive His grace and encouragement to take the small steps forward and relax in the process.
The checklist about personal prophecy in this article may help. http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2011/08/17/is-personal-prophecy-biblical/
I hope this helps–feel free to ask another question if you need to!
Dear Helen Calder
I am an ordinary Christian who is always eager to share the word with other people and in many instances I was given the pulpit to preach. I always share the Word with my colleagues where I am an educator. Since I started preaching, many people have said I have a gift (but I am not sure which gift) and I always bless them and I preach the uncompromising Word of God and some few individuals will be annoyed. The few that get annoyed really bring my spirit down and then I feel worthless and blocked but whenever I share the Word people say the message was powerful. Recently a man of God prayed for me and told the church that I am a man of God. Again recently, another man of God told me that I have a prophetic gift and mind you, they have never heard me sharing the Word of God! I personaly feel that I have been called by God but I do not know which gift I have and to be honest with you, I do not think I am worthy of His ministry because of the sinfull life that I am living but I believe I am a strong defender of the Word because I get hurt when people disrespect God and talk-ill about Him. I also feel that I am completely lost but I do pray and wish to be a faithful servant of God.. Could you pls. help me in this regard.
Best regards.
Mr. Sipho Joseph Sangweni
Dear Mr. Sangweni, it is wonderful to hear of your heart for God and desire to share His word. I believe it is OK to be unsure about which spiritual gift or ministry you have. The main thing is to continue to be faithful and to take the opportunities just as you have been doing, and allow the specific gifts to emerge in God’s timing.
The feelings of being uplifted when you believe people have been helped, but disappointed when some criticise, is common for those who are beginning in ministry. It shows that you have a need, as we all do, of becoming stronger in knowing your value to God, the assurance of your call, and even the truth about your salvation. As you become stronger in your relationship with the Father and His love for you, the fear of people’s criticism or rejection will drop away. These articles may be helpful for you http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/category/orphan-spirit-2/
This one may too, as I share about how God sees us even in our weakness. http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/07/13/the-gift-of-prophetic-vision-see-what-heaven-sees/
Keep pressing in to Him, I believe you will break through in the sin areas that are troubling you as you gain a revelation of His love and acceptance of you, and that will flow through into a more powerful expression of your gifts, because you can only give away what you have received yourself.
My gift is being choked by:
1. pressures at work, home, and even church. So many things to do and I am struggling to have as much quality time with God as I desire. I have re-prioritised my activities and weaned off some but it is still not good enough for me to cope.
2. Coming out of my closet with a smile on my face ushers me into a harsh world. anyone close to me shouts at me, or I disappoint them and feel my spirit rapidly fall down from the clouds where I had been. I end up feeling alone and and lonely in the world.
3. when I have a word for someone usually something comes up to separate us. All of a sudden people fall sick and get days off, or I normally have to spend several days out of town or something of that sort.
4. Generally people avoid me. I became boring when I got born again. (there are emails and jokes that they are no longer free to share with me or speak of when I am around) I have been labeled “Holier than thou” christian at one point in time.
Hi there Regie, thank you for leaving your thoughts. It’s so true that busy-ness of life can get in the way of our intimacy with God–which then impacts our ability to hear His voice, and it also becomes more difficult to stay full of the Holy Spirit. The fact that you have already re-prioritised shows that you have the desire to get on track, and I pray that you will find the space that you need.
I pray also that you will know the intimacy with the Holy Spirit that will sustain you throughout the day. Being busy can drain us–take time to be filled or re-filled with Holy Sprit, you will find that makes a difference also to your faith. People will be attracted to you because the joy of the Lord is on you.
As Paul said in Romans 14:17-18, ‘For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.’
Hi Helen
Thanks for the prayer and inspiring guidance. I will certainly watch the up coming blogs. I have recently joined a financial firm as a financial planner, very demanding and yet I know that is where God want me because of a prophecy.
What you said make sence, there will be challenges,and I need to remain focussed on the call. I believe that what I do is for the kingdom and the greater picture God will reveal as I travel on this road.Thanks for encouraging me that the challenges is not failure, I like that, it calmed my spirit when I read it. I believe I am in preperation season…. Thanks for your intercession.
God bless
Hi Nadia, what an exciting job opportunity for you. May you be blessed and a blessing where God has placed you in this season!
Dear Helen,
I had an instance that happened to me over 25 years ago when I said something to someone which I believed was a stern warning, someone I had a close relationship to, shortly after having giving a word of admonishment in a small congregation. It was also the last time I felt that I was used in this way and I concluded that it must be because I said something wrong and God was angry at me.
Now I believe God is revivng me and I have begun , after many years of silence to understand that God wants to talk to me because I have been having dreams lately and The Holy Spirit has directed me to scriptures and thoughts which I have shared in my church.
I was awakened by a dream this morning at 04:20am and I while I was praying God told me to download your E book Grow your Prphetic and Prayer Gifts! So I did it right away and I’m so glad that I did. I see now that what had happened 25 years ago was the seed. Now I believe that the seed is growing after lying dormant many years and I am very excited about the growth which I now see coming!
God bless you, David
Hi David, thank you for leaving the note and WOW! So wonderful to hear of the Spirit breathing on your life and gifts in this way. When the revelation starts to flow it certainly brings a sense of awakening and intimacy with God with it, what a wonderful testimony. I pray that you will find clear ways to move forward in the stewardship of your gifts and that you find the e-book helpful with keys, too.
One of the greatest revelations we can have is that Father is not ‘angry’ with us, but like a Father helping His children grow, even desiring to comfort and pick them up when they stumble. Sadly, the responses of people often don’t reflect His heart, and this is especially true when they believe we have done something wrong. So I believe it is God’s desire and great joy to breathe life into your gifts and to speak to you through prophetic means.
As far as warnings and admonishments, this is something we advise prophetic people to be very careful about. Here’s some general guidelines:
*avoid directional prophecy and correction
*If you felt strongly a corrective word or warning is from God, take it privately to a leader and submit with humility
*it may may an insight of discernment for you to pray privately
I share more about this area in these posts:
http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2011/09/13/differences-between-old-and-new-testament-prophetic-ministry/
http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2011/02/10/how-do-you-weigh-up-what-the-prophets-are-saying-pt-1/
(Feel free to ask questions)
Again, so thrilled to receive your note and I pray that you will flourish and grow in your gifts in this next season. Blessings! Helen
Hi Helen,
I pondered on your 11 signs and you know I have been my biggest block. Not anyone or anything but me mentally. Before I came to Christ I use to work as Clairvoyant and I never done face to face readings rather I done it all by email and I never used a tool either i.e tarot cards or what ever else people in new age use these days. I done many readings around the world with accuracy and diligence I never would pass on bad news to that person as I believe in passing on messages for the common good of that person how it felt easy at that time. I since returned to the Lord as I was 13 when I was baptized and now at 30 years have been back in the Lord for 2 years I am now too afraid of using my prophetic gifting…I remember going to my Pastor when I first joined our church and asking him to take my gift away because to me it was a hindrance I disliked it and had since I was a little girl…The share reality for me my dreams and visions were not nice and still aren’t but I am understanding as I am learning and growing in my relationship with our Father. As a child growing my mother recalls how often I would wake from my sleep saying “He’s coming for me” and foresee things that would happen. It has been spoken over my life that my calling is I am a messenger, I am a deliverer for the King of King by three senior Pastors and That Jeremiah 1:1 confirmation of the Lords word for Who I Am and God himself through a dream revealed this too me oh and of cause my Mum who has known and believed since I was born. But Helen knowing all of this and believing it is another thing for me.
Thank you Helen for listening to me I appreciate your time. Bless you as continue to be a blessing to all.
Hi Chontae, thank you for leaving your note.
It certainly sounds as though you have had a prophetic gift upon your life from a very young age. The enemy tried to take you from the faith with a counterfeit calling of Clairvoyancy, but now you are back where you belong. What a wonderful testimony!
I am wondering if you also have a gift of discernment, which can give you insight into the spiritual realm (see here: http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/08/08/8-signs-you-may-have-the-spiritual-gift-of-discernment/ )
I believe that God is redeeming the gift on your life and will use you powerfully for His glory.
A couple of people I have known with a similar story to yours found it best to not use the prophetic gifting for a period, while they got their faith on track, and journeyed to freedom, so don’t worry about the 2 years or any further time you may need to be released in your prophetic gift again.
You will get to a place where you are comfortable in being yourself and the way God has wired you with your gifts, and become freed from the fear that you have had. It’s OK to be on a journey with this, our Father is so wonderfully patient. The main thing is to allow yourself to decide to move forward, one small step at a time.
When you do start to step out in your gift, you may find it helpful to ask your pastor to allow you to run what you receive past him or her, or to appoint someone who can be that person for you. As you find a safe place to express your gift, one this under leadership, you will receive the confirmation that you are hearing from God, and grow in the confidence again.
Do keep in touch on the blog and read some of the posts I have written on prophecy and discernment. I answer comments like the one you have just left, so feel free to ask questions this way again, and keep an eye out on this topic over the next few weeks.
Hi Helen,
Thank you for your confirmation about taking my time I feel relieved to hear someone say that to me because this journey has not been easy for me coming into accepting my prophetic gifting has taken nearly 2 years. At present my husband and I are the Children’s Ministry Leaders in our church and for 2 months God has spoken to me about my gifting. Every time I went to step out He would say “No Chontae, I want you to know my voice in all area’s of your life. He also spoke to me about nurturing, preserving and training me in Children’s Ministry such as character building He tells me character will sustain me in the gifting. All my prophetic dreams, visions all go to my Pastor because this is where I feel most comfy at this stage. A BIG thank you Helen for confirming all this for me most importantly its ok to be where I am so long as I keep moving forward which I am.
I am in a season of knowing Gods voice in such a noisy world. I mean I have 5 children that in itself is full on lol.
Also to answer your question about discernment yes I operate more in this gift than any other. I am yet to understand it fully so thank you for your link.
Bless you abundantly Helen may your cup overflow in every area of your life as you continue to extend the Kingdom of God.
Chontae xx
Thanks Chontae,
That all sounds great, and yes, your five blessings must keep you very busy!
Thank you for your encouragement, too
All of the above!!!! When I recognized my gift and was led by the Holy Spirit to speak to my pastor who is a Baptist Preacher, didn’t know how to handle it. I was made to feel as though something was wrong with me and when I was led again to speak to his administrator she quickly made the changes that the Lord had requested and I was watched like a hawk and felt so uncomfortable. I was excluded from the people that I was in fellowship with, I was talked about from the pulpit. It was horrible to see church people who say they believe in the Lord and had faith carry on in such a way toward another member in the Body oc Christ just becauce I was growing and wanted to know the plan God had for me and my spiritual gift. God revelaed those things to me and I was so excited that He had spoken to me and wanted then to be excited with me and for me. It took pressing in prayer, fasting,, reading tne word and spending lots of time with the Lord to get what He gave me. I wanted it just that bad, but I didn’t EXPECT the gifts of Prophecy, Intercession, Exhortation and Faith. Trust me, the process is NOT what I expected and the PAIN as well. . I was on fire for the Lord and for the past YEARS, Its like what was all of that about???? you can’t be thru with me God and those same people will think that I was a false prophet or crazy. I am unchurched and the Lord is with me and I feel as if I am in a holding pattern and waiting. Does this makes sense to anyone???? Its’ always good to know that you are not alone.
Hi Carolyn, I’m so sorry to hear of the troubles you had early on when you tried to express your gift. So many times people around our lives, in positions of trust and authority who should most represent the Father to us actually misrepresent Him badly. This can cause a lot of damage and it takes healing, forgiveness and realisation of the true nature of our Heavenly Father to move us forward again.
The expression of the prophetic gift in the NT flows from within the life of the church (1 Cor 12-14). Perhaps the stirring you feel now is the Spirit calling you back into fellowship–there are so many wonderful churches and leaders that do receive, embrace and encourage the gifts of the Spirit. Something for you to pray about. No church or leader is perfect, and I have been through a great deal of hurts myself in the past, but I believe with all my heart that the church community is the place to thrive and operate in our gifts and to fulfil the deep calling of God in our lives.
I’m praying for you today that you will be encouraged in your walk with God, and your spiritual gift of prophecy again.
Thank you soo much and I enjoy your articles they are always encouraging. I get a whole lot of insight and confirmation to let me know that I am on the right track with my gift regardless of what has happen. I am stronger and I look forward to being in place where the Holy Spirit can really flow. I had to grow and things had to happen in order for me to draw closer to the Lord as well. I had to encounter people who rejected me in order to depend on and learn to hear the Lord. I forgave long time ago and it was very painful. Great days are ahead. take care and God Bless..
Hi and thank you Carolyn, it is lovely to get the feedback from you. Indeed, great days are ahead, what a wonderful thought
. You have allowed Father to take you to a new level through the testing and your response. May you be richly blessed in your walk with Him!
Psalm 66:10-12 says,
For You, O God, have tested us;
You have refined us as silver is refined.
11 You brought us into the net;
You laid affliction on our backs.
12 You have caused men to ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water;
But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.
Hi helen, I can identify, and I believe my prophetic gift is being held back, it can be so challenging, when god has been pruning you,which has been occuring with me, and pruning involves cutting of the dead branches that will not bear any fruit, because god wants me to be more fruitful, I had a fresh supernatural revelation of this last week, after I had received a prophetic word from faylene sparks, and then I received another word from apostle collette toach who is with apostolic movement international; I felt too and I was wondering what is next, I identify with many of the above that you have listed, stepping out when god gives you prophetic insight, is not always easy, but my confidence, has grown in this area, sometimes too you want to have opportunities to use the prophetic gifting, and the opportunities just dont seem to be there, I feel I have the faith for god to take me to a new level of growth, I can identify too with feeling let down by one of the pastors, at my current church. I can be so challenging at times, but as pastor pauline said, nothing is wasted what you go through in god, I am very encouraged by the blog, helen you are an inspiration.
best wishes luv Beverley
Thanks Beverley, you have a wonderful gift of enthusiasm and I love your passion for God. You also have some wonderful insights and I pray that 2012 will be a year of moving forward and fruitfulness for you.