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Unblocking Inner Wells

  • traceyoakey
  • Jul 29
  • 8 min read
A journey from Obscurity to Clarity
A journey from Obscurity to Clarity

In the Old Testament in the book of Genesis, Isaac, Abraham’s son, re-opened the wells in Beersheba, Israel, which his Father Abraham had originally dug and established, these wells brought life-giving blessings to the community. (Genesis 26:18-26).

 

“Wells, in biblical times and today, are essential to the life and survival of the community.  They were not just sources of water; they were the key resource for the people.   In ancient times, water from wells sustained individuals, crops and livestock, bringing in an income.  Even today, especially in many developing countries, wells remain vital for survival.  Without them, life cannot thrive or even exist for man or animal.  Water is, and always has been a precious commodity.

 

As time passed after Abraham’s death, his son, Isaac prospered greatly.  He became very wealthy, harvesting a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him with immeasurable abundance, that continued to grow exponentially. (Genesis 26:12)

 

But when the Philistines saw Isaac’s prosperity, they were consumed with envy.  In their jealousy, they filled up all of Isaac’s wells with dirt, completely blocking them.  These were the very wells that had been dug by the servants of his father, Abraham. (Gen 26: 12-15).  Rather than digging their own wells, the Philistines chose the path of destruction.

 

This story is not just a story about wells; it is a timeless illustration of human nature.  Throughout the epochs of history, we see this same dynamic of jealously, envy and destruction repeating itself across the world.  What happened in Isaac’s time continues to echo in our own, reminding us of the consequences when envy chooses to block rather than build.

 

Throughout history, a familiar pattern emerges.  When confronted with the accomplishments of others, some are inspired to rise – driven to create, improve, and build upon what has come before.  Others, however, consumed by envy and jealousy choose a different path: they seek to dismantle and destroy.  They find a twisted sense of satisfaction not in celebrating others’ victories, but in tearing down what others have achieved, much like the 'Philistines' of today.

 

As I shared with you earlier, the life-giving provision from wells remains an essential source of water or resource for people, livestock and crops- even today. Wells represent more than just a water source; they are central to community life, places where people gather and connect.  In the Old Testament, digging a well was a sign of settling and thriving.  A well symbolised resource, prosperity and peace. 

 

Just as ancient wells in the desert brought life to the land, so too must we clear the blockages within our own inner lives – those shadowed places of obscurity, fear, or confusion – so that clarity, purpose, and peace may flow freely once more.

 

Are there areas within our own lives that have become obscured, where our inner waters are no longer clean?  Perhaps through trauma, distraction, fear or spiritual disconnection, our wells become muddied.  These blockages can manifest in our daily lives as confusion, burnout, or lack of direction.  Obscurity clouds our path, and muddies the waters of our soul. And often the blockage isn’t external – it’s within us.

 

Have you ever been affected, by others who were envious or jealous of who you are and the worth you carry?  Has someone spoken negativity over your life- blocking, dismantling, or even bunging up your well?  These moments can leave us feeling stuck, unseen, or spiritually dry.  Just like Isaac’s wells were filled with dirt by the Philistines, our own wells can be obstructed by the words and action of others.  But the good news is: those wells can be reopened.  What was once blocked can flow again.

 

A blocked well means no fresh or clear water. In the same way, a spiritual blockage can hinder our personal journey. Though often invisible, it manifests in our physical lives—through confusion or a lack of direction. Could this be a sign of spiritual hindrance within us? Over time, the water we draw may begin to taste stagnant, stale, or even bitter.

 

A blocked well can symbolize an obstruction in our relationship with Jesus—caused by sin, unforgiveness, pride, or distraction. Spiritual dryness often comes when we stop drawing from the well of His Word, or through prayer, or through worship. When we neglect the discipline of seeking the 'living water' Jesus offers, our inner well begins to dry up. But the good news is: the well can be unblocked, and the living water can flow again.

 

Is your well blocked by the enemy? Our adversary often tries to hinder our access to God’s blessings and calling. Are you experiencing emotional numbness from trauma? Do you feel spiritually dry, stuck in a rut, or directionless? Without a source or flow, even the richest well becomes a dry pit.

 

But we can learn something from Isaac—"he never gave up!” When the Philistines blocked his wells, he kept digging until he found water again. His persistence is a reminder that, even when opposition comes, we must keep seeking, keep pressing in, and keep digging. Because the living water is still there—waiting to flow through us again.

 

Is our clarity buried beneath layers of fear or unresolved pain? Do we struggle to make decisions or lose sight of our purpose? Are we overwhelmed by the uncertainty of today—or the unknowns of tomorrow? When the waters of our soul become murky or opaque, it becomes difficult to see or think clearly.

 

But healing begins when we dare to look within the reflections of our soul: our mind, our emotions, our will. When we face the pain we’ve buried, the fears we’ve silenced, and the questions we’ve avoided, we begin to unearth the clarity that was never truly lost—only hidden. Like drawing water from a deep well, it takes effort, courage, and patience to see a reflection of who we truly are. Yet what we find is life-giving: a renewed sense of direction, a quiet strength, and the peace that comes from knowing we are no longer stuck, but flowing again.

 

Are there wells of unfulfilled promises within us? Do we need to draw again from the wells of hope and fulfilment—especially in seasons when our prayers go unanswered, when relationships have let us down, when trust is broken, or when expectations remain unmet?

 

Sometimes we place our hope in things that appear promising, only to be left feeling empty and wanting. We come to the well expecting water, but find only dust. Yet even in those dry places, God invites us to dig again—to believe again—to hope again.

 

 

“Jesus redeems, renews and restores

what was vital for us

to exist with purpose”

-Tracey Oakey

 

 

Here are some practical processes to unblock those blockages through: prayer, asking our heavenly Father questions.

 

1. We need to acknowledge the pain, naming the very well we are drawing from.  Recognising what is promised is the first step. Is it the well of disappointment? The well of longing?  The well of deferred dreams?  Too often, we rush past our ache, trying to fill the silence with noise or to void with distraction.  But healing begins with an open heart of honesty -with standing still long enough to listen to the echo of our own soul.

2. Sometimes we need to dig deep, lowering our cup of expectations even further, taking the time to draw from the depths of the well of clarity.

3. Some wells are not dry, just blocked. Through healing and forgiveness, or renewed faith may be needed in order to access the water again. Just because the well runs dry is not a sign of failure, but rather an invitation to dig deeper, to trust again.

4. Expect to meet Jesus at your well, as the source of revelation and hope in unexpected places. Just like the Samaritan woman at the well. Who was simply out fetching water at midday. From that very moment her life was changed forever. (John 4:7-26). Jesus cares for all, regardless of social standing.  And He cares for you too. His invitation to you today is simple and profound: “Come just as you are.”

5. When our emotions of anger, fear, anxiety, detachment, can cloud our judgment and thinking, we need to be released and free from our emotional fog, to pray for clear thinking, to lift the fog from a place of disparity to one of clarity, to illuminate the path from emotional confusion to understanding, from detachment to unity.

6. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit, as “Rivers of living water” flowing from within us. Jesus invites us to come to Him who are thirsty and drink. “Whoever believes in me” says Jesus, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38). In not allowing the Holy Spirit to move freely within us, could be caused by our fear, control or lack of surrender. There is a need for renewal, repentance, healing to restore that flow.



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Clarity emerges when our minds are still and quiet before Jesus. Clarity is being free from mental clutter, allowing deeper truths to the surface of our minds. Being mindful of the Goodness of God, who is our heavenly Father.

 

Clarity is about seeing beyond ourselves, our ego or our inner turmoil that can get in the way, to discern what is real and meaningful from what is temporary or deceitful. Allowing clarity to flow freely, in who we are and in who we trust. Jesus renews our purpose, peace, creativity, and connection with him. Jesus keeps encouraging us to keep returning to His well, that never runs dry. We will never thirst again as long as we draw water from His well, that is eternal, and ever flowing clearly.  In your mind today, choose to say “goodbye to Clutter,” and “hello to clarity.”

 

We are called to act upon,

by beginning our inward journey,

to trust that clarity is not created

– its uncovered.

 

 

Take away…

 

When the well is unblocked, living water starts to flow freely-which brings life, clarity of thought and eternal purpose and peace to every dry place within us. Unblocking wells is not about removing the wells, but rather the obstacles that we face daily. This is about rediscovering the source that was always within us, waiting to refresh and renew.

 

When we clear away the obscurity of doubt, fear or pass wounds, we get to choose to make room for the Holy Spirit to access and flow again-restoring what we lost and reviving what was dormant or silent. The hardest part of unblocking wells is recognising what’s blocking in the first place.  Once we receive revelation through the Holy Spirit, we can start to feel healing and new growth starts to begin.

 

The process of unblocking can often feel chaotic, messy, or tangled—but the result is worth the wait: a wellspring of creativity, peace, and purpose flowing once again.

 

Unblocking the well is a journey—one that requires patience, honesty, and hope. Every step we take brings us closer to wholeness. It’s not about rushing to the destination, but about allowing God to meet us in the process, gently removing what no longer serves us, and restoring what was always meant to flow freely.

 

 

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Let’s pray…

 

Heavenly Father, you are my source of living water, that will never run dry.

Today I come before you, with an open heart that longs to be unblocked: from fear, from doubt, from pain, from the debris of the past wounds.

 

Jesus, help me to walk daily with patience. 

Give me the courage to be honest - with myself and with you.

Fill me with hope when my well feels dry. 

Pour more of your love into me until it overflows,

so that I may carry hope and love to others.

 

Holy Spirit, with every step I take, draw me closer to you.

I give you full reign-

let your presence flow freely once again.

Restore my creativity, renew my peace,

and revive my purpose.

 

Thank you for never giving up on who I am.

Thank you for your promise of redemption that sets me free.

Thank you for completing the work You began in me, to become a

reflection of who you are.

Amen!




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