How to Grow Spiritually When You Feel Stuck: Practical Steps for Christians

Feeling stuck in your faith can weigh heavy on your heart. When prayer feels flat and your spiritual life drags, it’s hard not to wonder if you’ll ever move forward again. This struggle is common—and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Many Christians face seasons where spiritual growth feels slow or even impossible.

Getting past that stuck feeling is important for a living, genuine relationship with God. It matters because a vibrant faith shapes every part of life. Throughout this post, I’ll share practical steps for how to grow spiritually when your soul feels worn out and stuck, offering hope and honest encouragement for anyone who’s been there.

Recognizing Spiritual Stagnation

Before we talk about how to grow spiritually when you feel stuck, it's important to recognize what spiritual stagnation looks and feels like. Most believers hit these dry spots. Thank God, you are not alone—and spotting these signs is the first step to moving forward.

Identifying Signs of Feeling Spiritually Stuck

Spiritual stagnation often creeps in quietly, yet its effects show up in many areas of life. Sometimes it's soul-deep exhaustion; other times, it feels like your prayers bounce off the ceiling. Here are cues I’ve noticed in myself and other Christians:

• Emotional Numbness: Joy, gratitude, and peace feel distant. You might wake up dreading another day or going through the motions without feeling much.

• Loss of Passion for Spiritual Disciplines: Reading the Bible or praying becomes a chore rather than a connection. Devotions feel stale, and worship feels empty.

• Doubts and Questions Multiply: You find yourself wrestling with questions about faith, God’s presence, or your purpose.

• Withdrawal from Community: Skipping church, Bible study, or fellowship becomes easier. You may feel isolated—even if surrounded by others.

• Irritability and Restlessness: Small annoyances hit harder, and you notice a shorter fuse or more negative self-talk.

Spiritual dryness rarely shows up as just one thing. It’s often a mix of these emotional, mental, and practical warning signs. These feelings are normal, but they shouldn’t be ignored.

If you identify with any of these experiences, you might find it helpful to read about finding stillness when overthinking and feeling spiritually restless. Sometimes, awareness is the biggest step toward change.

Understanding Why Spiritual Dryness Happens

Life doesn’t pause for our faith. There are seasons when spiritual dryness seems to press in from every side. Recognizing why it’s happening can help you respond with grace rather than guilt.

Common reasons for spiritual dryness include:

• Busy Life Rhythms: Fast-paced routines, packed schedules, or changes in family or work life can crowd out time for God. Spiritually, it becomes easy to run on autopilot.

• Hardship and Loss: Painful events—like illness, grief, or disappointment—can drain our hope and motivation. Sometimes faith wavers under the weight of suffering.

• Spiritual Fatigue: Too much “doing” and not enough “being” can burn us out. Serving, leading, or carrying others’ burdens takes its toll if we forget to rest and be filled ourselves.

• Unconfessed Sin or Guilt: Hidden issues can block our sense of God’s presence, making it hard to approach Him with confidence.

• Routine and Predictability: When faith practices become rituals instead of relationships, connection weakens. We stop expecting God to move.

Seasons of spiritual dryness may seem endless, but they are temporary. Even the strongest believers have felt stuck and questioned their next step.

There are healthy ways to respond to these seasons. If you want some practical encouragement, consider how simple routines can restore peace when life feels chaotic. God doesn’t waste our dry times—He often uses them to bring about new growth, even when we can’t see it yet.

Returning to Foundational Christian Practices

When spiritual growth stalls, the best way forward is often to return to the basics. Instead of chasing new strategies, I remind myself to revisit the core habits that have shaped Christian faith for centuries. These practices—prayer, reading scripture, and reclaiming Sabbath rest—are not about checking boxes. They form the roots that anchor us when storms hit and motivation runs low. Here’s how I rebuild these habits when I feel spiritually dry.

Reigniting Personal Prayer Life

Prayer can feel empty or awkward in seasons of stuckness. I’ve found that the key isn’t to pray “harder” but to pray honestly, even if the words feel small. When God seems silent, simple, consistent approaches work best.

• Anchor prayer to routine: Nothing fancy—start with short, honest prayers in the morning or during daily tasks. Whispering a sentence to God while brushing my teeth or driving puts prayer back into the rhythm of life.

• Use written prayers: When my thoughts are jumbled or my heart feels numb, I lean on written prayers from the Psalms or devotionals. These words can help get my own conversation with God going again.

• Keep it real: God isn’t looking for perfect words. Some days, my prayer is just telling Him I’m tired or asking for help wanting to pray.

By lowering expectations and focusing on simple, regular moments of connection, I start to sense God’s presence again over time. If you’re battling anxious thoughts or endless mental noise, try setting aside just a few minutes for prayerful stillness. You might find encouragement through exploring finding stillness when overthinking.

Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Reading

When Bible reading turns stale, I look for new ways to uncover fresh meaning. The goal is not to power through chapters, but to open my heart to God’s voice.

• Switch translations: Reading a familiar passage in a different translation reveals new insights and catches my attention in fresh ways.

• Try devotionals or guided studies: A good devotional leads me to scripture with prompts or questions, helping passages come alive again.

• Use bite-sized readings: A single verse can carry me through the day. When I find it hard to focus, I’ll write a verse on a sticky note to keep nearby.

When scripture feels dry, I remember it’s okay to ask God to speak to me. Sometimes, reading with a friend or sharing a verse with someone helps both of us. For more help with quieting your thoughts to hear from God, there’s practical guidance available on using simple routines to restore spiritual peace.

Restoring Sabbath and Rest Practices

One of the hardest spiritual habits to restart is rest. When I feel stuck, busyness often fills the gap, yet it leaves me even more tired. True Sabbath isn’t just a day off, but a choice to pause—body, mind, and soul—and reconnect with God.

• Set clear boundaries: Mark a block of time each week where I put away work and distractions, even if it’s just a few hours. This small act resets my rhythm and gives space for God to meet me.

• Practice slow, mindful activities: Instead of filling every minute, I allow myself to sit outside, take a walk, or enjoy a quiet meal. Listening for God in stillness is a practice that refreshes my spirit.

• Use rest as worship: Rest is not wasted time. Taking Sabbath is a way to trust that God is at work, even when I am not.

If rest feels hard because your thoughts won’t slow down, revisit ways to find mental and spiritual stillness as described in finding stillness when overthinking. Quieting the noise creates room for God to speak gently.

Returning to foundational practices doesn’t mean going backward. It means reclaiming the stable ground God has already given us. In dry seasons, these simple steps—however small—start to rebuild growth from the inside out.

Seeking Community and Support

Growing spiritually when you feel stuck is never something you have to do alone. Too often, we think spiritual progress depends only on personal effort—praying harder, reading more, or just “getting it together.” But the Christian life was never meant to be a solo journey. Scripture points to the church as a body, where each member brings strength and encouragement to the others. When I feel stalled in my faith, seeking out honest relationships and accountability is one of the most reliable ways to move forward.

Reaching Out for Spiritual Guidance

Talking with a spiritual mentor or joining a support group can breathe new life into a stagnant season. Sometimes, you just need to voice your struggles to someone who gets it—a pastor, counselor, or even a mature friend who loves Jesus. I’ve found that honest conversations with trusted mentors help me see my situation from a new perspective. They offer wisdom born from their own stories of struggle and growth.

Regular guidance brings big benefits:

• Accountability: It’s much easier to show up and make real changes when someone checks in on you.

• Fresh perspective: Others often spot God’s work in our lives when we’re too close to see it ourselves.

• Encouragement: A simple word from someone who cares can lighten the weight of discouragement and doubt.

• Practical advice: Seasoned believers share, not just theory, but tools and habits that have helped them grow.

Joining a small group or Bible study adds another layer of support—other believers often carry you when your own faith falters. Many find that discussing challenges in a group context helps normalize their experience and provides a place for prayer, empathy, and real connection. When you’re honest about where you feel stuck, others often share their own stories, reminding you that you’re not alone.

If you want more practical ways to anchor your faith when you’re anxious and tangled in your thoughts, you might find value in strategies found at finding stillness when overthinking and feeling spiritually restless. Seeking guidance draws light into the places where you feel weary.

Engaging in Fellowship and Service

Isolation often feeds spiritual apathy. Getting involved in serving others or committing to regular fellowship can restart spiritual momentum in a way that private devotion sometimes cannot. Stepping out of your comfort zone for the sake of someone else changes your focus. Serving—whether it’s helping in children’s ministry, stacking chairs after service, or participating in food drives—reminds you that you’re part of something bigger than your own struggle.

Benefits of participating in community and service include:

• Renewed purpose: Shifting your focus to the needs of others pulls you out of self-centeredness and refreshes your faith.

• Mutual encouragement: When you share life with fellow believers, their faith and stories can reignite your own.

• God’s presence in action: Jesus promised to be with us where two or three gather in His name. Showing up, even when you don’t feel like it, creates space for Him to move.

• Lasting relationships: Over time, these bonds provide support during rough patches and celebrate victories together.

Small acts of service often spark greater desire to connect with God. Whether it’s praying for someone, visiting the sick, or just being present at weekly gatherings, you’ll find your love for God and others grows. Committing to a local church is one of the most effective steps you can take when thinking about how to grow spiritually through stuck seasons.

If your thoughts often spiral and keep you from fully enjoying community, pause and check out methods for finding stillness when overthinking. Internal chatter and self-doubt can hinder participation, but gentle, practical steps can help you engage in Christian fellowship with renewed confidence.

Spiritual growth happens in community. When you invite others into your journey—whether mentors, peers, or those you serve—God often uses those relationships as the key to break through the places you feel stuck.

Cultivating New Spiritual Habits

Spiritual growth doesn’t always mean adding more activities to my schedule. Sometimes, it’s about changing the way I seek God or opening my heart in new ways. When I feel stuck, introducing new spiritual habits helps break through old routines and opens doors to fresh encounters with God. These practices work together to nourish my soul and foster lasting change.

Creating Space for Silence and Solitude

Finding stillness is one of the most overlooked ways to grow spiritually. We often fill every moment with noise—whether from social media, work, or our own thoughts. Silence and solitude give me the chance to hear God's quiet voice and let my restless spirit settle.

When anxious thoughts are loud, I find it essential to intentionally set aside time away from distraction. Even a few minutes a day can make a difference. Here’s what helps:

• Set a daily rhythm of quiet: I choose a regular time—such as early morning or just before bed—for silence with God. This isn’t wasted time. It’s where I can breathe, pray simple prayers, and just listen.

• Create a peaceful space: I light a candle, sit by a window, or step outside. Anything that marks this space as different from my everyday noise.

• Journaling thoughts and prayers: Writing out what’s swirling in my mind clears the clutter. It’s a tangible way to lay my worries before God and create mental space for His peace.

Silence doesn’t come easily at first. My mind wants to wander or replay conversations from the day. But over time, I’ve seen God meet me in the quiet. If you find it hard to unwind mentally, check out these practical approaches for finding spiritual rest when your mind won’t slow down.

Exploring New Forms of Worship

Traditional worship is beautiful, but sometimes the old patterns lose their spark. When I try new ways to honor God, my spiritual life often gains fresh energy. I find that God meets me in both expected and unexpected places.

Here are a few ideas for new worship habits:

• Worship music: Singing—or even just listening—to worship songs lifts my mind beyond daily concerns. It doesn’t have to sound perfect; it’s about focusing on God’s goodness.

• Creative arts: Drawing, painting, or writing poetry about faith brings out different aspects of my relationship with God. Creativity becomes a path to gratitude and wonder.

• Nature walks: Being outside reminds me of God’s power and beauty. I try to notice small details—the color of leaves, sounds of birds, the feel of the breeze—and thank God for each.

Other practices to deepen spiritual growth include keeping a gratitude journal and trying new forms of prayer, such as breath prayers or praying through scripture. These creative expressions help me see God in the ordinary parts of life.

Exploring different spiritual disciplines sometimes reveals new places in my heart where God wants to work. If overthinking keeps me from enjoying worship, I remind myself there's no one “right way” to connect with God—He invites me to rest and rejoice in His presence. For more encouragement, the tips in finding stillness when overthinking also equip me to step into new spiritual practices with freedom and hope.

Embracing God’s Grace During the Journey

Growth doesn’t always look like a straight line. Sometimes, when I think about how to grow spiritually, I realize the path is more like climbing a hillside than walking a paved road. There are moments when I’m moving forward, times when I slip, and days when standing still feels like progress. The pressure to have it all together or “perform” in faith can weigh heavily during slow seasons. But God’s grace covers every step, every stumble, and every quiet stretch along the way.

Letting this truth sink in changes everything. Instead of demanding perfection, I can relax into the process, knowing God’s love isn’t based on my pace or performance. My job is to show up, trust Him, and notice the ways He’s working—even when I can’t see much change yet.

Letting Go of Comparison and Shame

It’s easy to look around and feel like everyone else is forging ahead spiritually. Social media, church conversations, or family members may seem to be thriving while I’m struggling to make basic steps. This kind of comparison plants seeds of shame: “Why can’t I be more like them? What’s wrong with me?” These thoughts are heavy, but they can be replaced with God’s truth.

• God sees each journey: He knows my story from beginning to end. He isn’t grading me by someone else’s faith or milestones.

• Everyone’s pace is different: Growth happens in unique ways. What looks like a setback in my eyes might be part of God’s plan to make my roots deeper.

• God’s truth cancels self-criticism: Whenever I catch myself using harsh, critical words—“not good enough,” “behind,” “disappointing”—I choose to counter them with scripture. Verses about God’s love, like Romans 8:1 (“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”), help move my heart from shame to acceptance.

I remind myself that comparison kills joy. If you find yourself spiraling in self-judgment, bringing your thoughts back to God’s truth is a practical way to find peace. Helpful articles, like Feeling Stuck in Your Spiritual Journey?, offer encouragement for those facing the weight of comparison and offer practical steps to refocus on God.

Celebrating Progress, Not Perfection

Perfection can be a trap that stalls spiritual growth. When I expect every prayer, every act of faith, or every quiet time to feel amazing, I set myself up for disappointment. Instead, I try to celebrate small steps and notice the ways God has shown up—even in ordinary moments.

Ways I practice this shift in focus include:

• Name the small wins: Did I pray when I’d rather not? Did I read a single verse today? That’s progress.

• Reflect on God’s faithfulness: Looking back helps me see all the times God met me in the past. Remembering these stories builds trust for the present season.

• Practice gratitude: Keeping a short list of things I’m thankful for helps me see grace in everyday details, especially when forward motion feels slow.

• Share my journey: Talking about these moments with friends or mentors invites encouragement and new perspective.

Celebrating what God is doing—even if it’s something tiny—re-aligns my focus from what I lack to what He provides. Change is often slow and quiet, but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

If you ever need reminders that patience with yourself and trust in God’s timing matter far more than outward achievement, I recommend reading What to do when you feel “stuck” – Strength for the Soul, which points us toward hope in slow seasons.

Accepting where I am—with all my victories and setbacks—and trusting God’s timing lets me keep going without fear. I rest in the promise that the One who began a good work in me will carry it to completion, no matter how stuck I may feel today.

Conclusion

Spiritual growth often starts with small, honest steps when we feel stuck. Returning to prayer, scripture, and real community refocuses our hearts on what matters most. Shifting how we worship or finding stillness can open new space for God’s voice in our lives. Each moment—whether it feels significant or quiet—offers a chance to trust that God works even in slow seasons.

If your mind still buzzes with anxious thoughts as you pursue how to grow spiritually, consider building routines that help you find stillness and release spiritual restlessness.

Take your next step forward, no matter how simple. Ask God to meet you right where you are. May you feel His gentle grace as you move through these days. Lord, for each person seeking You in a dry season, bring peace, fresh hope, and the assurance that they are never alone. Amen.