Experiencing a Mental Block? Take These 3 Steps!

Have you ever heard the term mental block? What is a mental block and how much does it affect our lives? Every person naturally wants to grow to the fullest. And to achieve that, we need a healthy mindset, because it will influence our decisions and actions. 

If our mindset is good, the results will also be good. However, if our mindset is wrong or negative, the results certainly will not be good either. This is in line with what Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you are right.”

However, directing our thoughts to remain positive, is not always easy. Have you ever felt that your mind was already filled with all kinds of possibilities of what might happen? Such as fear of failure or feeling incapable, even though you have not started doing it yet. Or perhaps you feel reluctant or burdened to do it, even though the desire to do it is there. 

If the feelings of fear, reluctance, burden, and hesitation are greater than your enthusiasm to try, be careful, you may be experiencing a mental block. 

What Is a Mental Block and What Are Its Effects?

Mental block is a form of uncontrolled resistance that comes from the brain. This condition is defined as a form of denial in the subconscious toward a thought or emotion. Mental block is also a condition in which you are unable to concentrate or think clearly, so it can also be described as mental fatigue. 

An unhealthy mindset can become a barrier to maximizing creativity and productivity. As a result, our growth and development are hindered. 

Thinking before acting is a very good thing. We do not want to make poor decisions or act too hastily. However, if we think too much and keep weighing things over, there is a risk as well. Sometimes, we can run out of strength first, and then we end up not taking action at all. 

The key is that we need balance between thought and action, so that we are not like an athlete who loses before competing! Then, when we are experiencing a mental block, what can we do? 

3 Steps to Overcome Mental Block

1. Be Confident

Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid and do not tremble because of them, for the LORD your God is the One who goes with you; He will not leave you nor forsake you. – Deuteronomy 31:6

After Moses died, Joshua received the great task of leading the people of Israel in place of Moses. Certainly, this was a very important task and also not an easy one. Moses was a gentle leader and also extraordinary. His closeness to God, he could even communicate face to face with God (Exodus 34:29-30),  had no equal. 

This could have caused Joshua to have a mental block when he was about to lead the people of Israel. Perhaps Joshua could have wondered, “Am I able to lead the people of Israel well?” Doubt and worry could hinder his steps. 

However, we can see that Joshua obeyed God. He strengthened his heart as God commanded. Joshua believed in God’s promise that God would be with him and would not leave him. He was able because God was with him!

When feelings of doubt or inferiority begin to appear, we need to pause and think. Is it true that we really are incapable? Or perhaps those thoughts are only our feelings . Ask God for strength through prayer so that God Himself will enable us. Change our thoughts with thoughts that are in line with the word of God. 

Be confident, because God is the One who enables you! God is with you just as He was also with Joshua. Defeat the mental block and say, “I surely can!”

2. Do Not Compare Yourself with Others

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. – Psalm 139:13-14

After we become more confident, we need to begin stepping forward or doing something. Along the way, sometimes we can be tempted to compare ourselves with others or with the results they get. If we are envious or busy comparing ourselves with others, we can stop growing, lose our self-confidence (insecure),  and even withdraw from what we have already done. This can become a new mental block that hinders our growth.

As it is written in the verse above, God created each of us specially. We are unique with our own strengths and weaknesses. There may be things that seem difficult to us,  but not to others. And vice versa. If you want to make a comparison, then compare us with ourselves 5-10 years ago! In what areas have we grown? Or have we instead experienced decline?

So stop comparing yourself with others! Defeat our mental block by being thankful for every growth and enjoying every process that exists. God has created you specially and God sees you as so precious (Isaiah 43:4)!

3. Keep Practicing and Persevering

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom in the grave, where you are going. – Ecclesiastes 21:10

To be able to win over our mental block , we need to persevere in everything we do. Do not let that mental block stop our steps. Our dreams, abilities, courage, our perseverance, must be stronger than every mental block we have. 

Besides being confident, doing our part, and not making comparisons, we need to keep practicing, learning, and persevering. No result is obtained instantly. Great things take time. Even though there are challenges, difficulties, failures, and we have not yet seen the harvest of what we have planted, keep persevering. Do not give up!

Ecclesiastes 21:10 above teaches us to do everything with all our might. Which means, we maximize everything we have, such as time, energy, and thought. Do not be afraid to give your best. Also do an evaluation about what must be discarded, what must be improved, and what must be maintained.

Do not hesitate to ask for input from others who are more experienced. That will also be very helpful. Have a strong fighting spirit and do not give up easily. Value every process and appreciate yourself for even the smallest progress that you have achieved.

Even though it may seem small, mental block needs to be eradicated. It can destroy our minds, even our lives. Build confidence, because God is the One who enables us. Do not compare ourselves with others. Have an attitude that is willing to learn, practice, and keep persevering. Let us defeat the mental block and become a new person, according to God’s design. Good luck!

References : 

www.hellosehat.com/mental/mental-lainnya/mental-block/

www.quotefancy.com/quote/482/Henry-Ford-Whether-you-think-you-can-or-you-can-t-you-re-right -  Related Articles:

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