Growing Spiritually When You Feel Stuck

What do you do when your faith feels flat and your spiritual life feels stalled?

In this episode of Made for More Ministries, we’re talking about what it means to feel spiritually stuck and how to grow again, even when it feels impossible. If you’re showing up for God but still feel dry, discouraged, or disconnected, you’re not alone and you’re not broken.

We’ll explore:

• What spiritual stagnation really looks like
• Why even faithful believers hit these dry seasons
• Biblical examples of “stuck” moments that led to powerful transformation
• 7 practical steps to reignite your spiritual growth

Whether you’re struggling with burnout, feeling spiritually numb, or just wondering why growth seems so slow... this conversation will encourage you, challenge you, and remind you that God is still at work.

You were never meant to stay stuck. You were made for more.

Transcript

Welcome to Made for More Ministries, where we help you deepen your faith, discover your purpose, and walk with confidence through every season of life.

Today’s episode tackles a question that almost every believer wrestles with at some point:

“How do I grow spiritually when I feel stuck?”

Maybe you’re there right now. You love God, you want to grow, but something feels off. You’re showing up to church, maybe reading the Bible, even praying—but inside, you feel spiritually stagnant. You’re not where you used to be, but you’re also not moving forward.

And that can feel frustrating, discouraging, and even shameful.

But here’s the truth:

Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it means it’s time to lean in.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

• What causes spiritual stagnation
  
  
  
• Biblical examples of people who felt stuck
  
  
  
• What to do when growth feels slow or nonexistent
  
  
  
• And 7 practical steps to re-engage your heart, renew your focus, and grow again
  
  
  

Let’s break free from stuck and step into the more God has for you.

🚧 Segment 1: What Does It Mean to Be Spiritually Stuck?

Let’s define what we mean by “spiritually stuck.”
 It’s not the same as being a new believer who’s still learning. It’s also not the same as walking through a hard trial.

Being spiritually stuck is when:

• Your passion for God has faded
  
  
  
• You feel spiritually numb, dry, or disengaged
  
  
  
• You’re going through the motions without depth
  
  
  
• You feel like you’ve plateaued—even though you’re “doing the right things”
  
  
  

Sometimes it’s subtle. Other times, it’s loud. But no matter what it looks like, God doesn’t want you to stay there.

📖 Segment 2: Even the Faithful Felt Stuck

You’re not the first follower of God to feel stuck.

Let’s look at a few biblical examples:

🔹 Moses

Spent 40 years in the wilderness tending sheep before stepping into his calling. He probably thought, “This is it—my life is over.” But God was preparing him.

🔹 Elijah

After great victories, he ran into the desert and said, “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life.” (1 Kings 19:4).
He was emotionally drained, spiritually dry—and God gently restored him.

🔹 Peter

After denying Jesus, Peter returned to fishing. He probably thought he had disqualified himself. But Jesus met him there—and restored his purpose.

What do we learn from these?

Stuck seasons don’t disqualify you. They often shape you.

🔍 Segment 3: Why Do We Feel Spiritually Stuck?

Here are some common causes of spiritual stagnation:

1. Spiritual Burnout

Serving constantly, trying to be “on” all the time, or chasing spiritual highs can lead to burnout.
 God never asked you to do everything. He asked you to abide in Him.

2. Unconfessed Sin

Hidden sin creates a barrier in intimacy with God.

“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” – Psalm 66:18

God’s grace is bigger than your failure—but He wants your honesty.

3. Disconnection from God’s Word

Without Scripture, our souls dry out. When we’re not being fed, we stop growing.

4. Lack of Community

Growth doesn’t happen in isolation. If you’re not connected to others who encourage, challenge, and walk with you, your faith will stall.

5. Unrealistic Expectations

Sometimes we think growth should be dramatic and constant. But spiritual growth is often gradual, quiet, and rooted.

You may be growing more than you realize.

🪴 Segment 4: Growth Is a Process, Not a Performance (Expanded)

Jesus could’ve compared spiritual growth to lightning—but He chose gardening.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit…” – John 15:5

Why? Because spiritual growth is slow, seasonal, and deeply rooted.

We live in a culture of instant results—overnight shipping, 30-day transformations, and viral breakthroughs. But God grows people differently.

• Sometimes He works underground, in the secret places of your heart.
  
  
  
• Sometimes He pulls back so your roots grow deeper.
  
  
  
• Sometimes He prunes—not to punish you, but to prepare you for more fruit.
  
  
  

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9

If you don’t feel like you’re growing, don’t panic. Faith isn’t always felt—sometimes it’s just formed.

Here’s what’s true even when you can’t see it:

• You’re not behind. God’s timeline is perfect.
  
  
  
• You’re not forgotten. He sees the work in progress.
  
  
  
• You’re not stuck forever. This is a season—not a sentence.
  
  
  

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…” – Philippians 1:6

He’s not finished. So don’t give up.

🛠️ Segment 5: 7 Practical Steps to Grow Spiritually Again (Expanded)

Let’s get practical. If you feel spiritually stuck, these aren’t hoops to jump through—they’re grace-based rhythms that help realign your heart with God’s.

✅ 1. Get Honest with God

Stop trying to pray polished prayers. God doesn’t want a performance—He wants your heart.

Maybe your prayer sounds like:

• “God, I feel numb.”
  
  
  
• “I miss You.”
  
  
  
• “I don’t know how to reconnect.”
  
  
  

That’s real prayer. And it moves the heart of God.

“Pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” – Psalm 62:8

Start with honesty. God meets you there.

✅ 2. Return to the Word

When Scripture feels dry, don’t give up. Reading the Bible is like eating—sometimes it’s a feast, sometimes it’s a quiet habit that sustains you even when you don’t realize it.

Don’t read to “check a box.” Read to hear His voice.

Start in Psalms or the Gospels. Pick a short passage. Ask:

• What does this show me about God?
  
  
  
• What does this speak to in me?
  
  
  

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105

Even one verse can reignite your spirit.

✅ 3. Simplify Your Spiritual Life

We often complicate spiritual growth. But growth doesn’t require a perfect morning routine—it requires consistency and connection.

Try one small act of devotion a day:

• Read one Psalm in the morning.
  
  
  
• Play a worship song on your commute.
  
  
  
• Write down three things you’re grateful for at night.
  
  
  

Small steps create long-term change.
 Start simple. Stay faithful.

✅ 4. Connect with Life-Giving People

You weren’t meant to grow alone. When you’re isolated, lies grow louder. When you’re in community, truth gets reinforced.

Reach out and say:

• “Can we get coffee? I just need to talk.”
  
  
  
• “I’ve been feeling stuck—can you pray for me?”
  
  
  
• “Can we read a devotional together this week?”
  
  
  

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17

You grow faster, deeper, and stronger when you walk with others.

✅ 5. Serve Someone Else

Nothing reactivates your faith like being used by God.

You don’t need a stage or a ministry title. Just show up with love.

• Text someone who’s hurting.
  
  
  
• Volunteer at your church or community center.
  
  
  
• Leave an encouraging note for a coworker.
  
  
  

“Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25

Serving shifts your perspective and reignites your purpose.

✅ 6. Ask God for a Fresh Filling

Growth isn’t about grinding harder—it’s about receiving fresh grace.

Ask for it:

• “Holy Spirit, fill me again.”
  
  
  
• “Give me fresh fire, fresh hunger, fresh vision.”
  
  
  

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10

You don’t need to manufacture passion—ask God to rekindle it.

✅ 7. Keep Showing Up

This one may be the hardest—but it’s the most important.

• Show up when worship feels flat.
  
  
  
• Show up when prayer feels one-sided.
  
  
  
• Show up when Scripture feels dull.
  
  
  

Because your faith isn’t measured by your emotions—it’s measured by your faithfulness.

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” – Psalm 126:5

If you keep showing up, God will show out.

🌄 Segment 6: What Growth Might Look Like in This Season (Expanded)

Sometimes we don’t recognize growth because we’re only looking for the mountaintop moments.
 But most spiritual growth happens in the ordinary, everyday obedience.

Here’s what growth really looks like:

• Saying no to gossip when it’s easy to join in
  
  
  
• Choosing kindness when you want to snap
  
  
  
• Holding your tongue when you could prove your point
  
  
  
• Praying a short, sincere prayer in the middle of a stressful day
  
  
  
• Forgiving the person who never said sorry
  
  
  

Growth isn’t always dramatic—it’s often quiet and steady.

Don’t measure your growth by:

• How many podcasts you’ve listened to
  
  
  
• How emotional you felt in worship
  
  
  
• How many Bible plans you’ve completed
  
  
  

Instead, ask:

• Am I more patient than I was last year?
  
  
  
• Am I more surrendered today than I was yesterday?
  
  
  
• Am I still showing up, even when I feel nothing?
  
  
  

Growth is obedience, not emotion.
 It’s consistency, not performance.
 It’s being shaped in the hidden place, not just the spotlight.

Keep going. You’re growing more than you think.

✨ Final Takeaways

Let’s recap what we’ve learned today:

• Feeling spiritually stuck is normal—but it’s not permanent.
  
  
  
• Many biblical heroes had “in between” seasons.
  
  
  
• Growth is gradual, internal, and often unseen at first.
  
  
  
• God hasn’t forgotten you. He’s still shaping you.
  
  
  
• You grow by staying close, staying honest, and staying faithful.
  
  
  
• Even small steps are still steps forward.
  
  
  

You are not spiritually dead—you’re being refined.

🙏 Closing Encouragement

If you’ve been feeling spiritually dry, burned out, or stuck—I want to speak this over you:

God sees you. He’s not disappointed in you. And He’s not done with you.

This isn’t the end. It’s a chapter.
 This isn’t failure. It’s formation.
 And God is using this season to build something deeper in you than you realize.

So pause. Breathe. Open your Bible. Whisper a prayer.
 And believe again:

You were made to grow. You were made for more.

📖 Scripture References in This Episode

• Galatians 6:9
  
  
  
• Philippians 1:6
  
  
  
• Psalm 62:8
  
  
  
• Psalm 119:105
  
  
  
• Proverbs 27:17
  
  
  
• Proverbs 11:25
  
  
  
• Psalm 51:10
  
  
  
• Psalm 126:5
  
  
  
• 1 Kings 19:4
  
  
  
• Romans 12:2
  
  
  
• John 15:5
  
  
  

📢 Outro

Thanks for joining us on Made for More Ministries. If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who feels stuck in their faith. You never know how one conversation can spark new life.

Until next time, stay grounded in truth, faithful in the process, and confident in this—you were made for more.