• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Inspirational Author and Greeting Card Writer

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Rebecca
    • Contact
    • MEDIA
    • FAQ
  • Books/Store
    • Mornings with Jesus 2019
    • Mornings with Jesus
    • DAY-VOTIONS® BOOK SERIES:
    • 40 Days
    • Daily in your Presence Series
    • Meditations for Lent and Easter
    • Courage for the Chicken Hearted
    • Marriage Toners
    • At Home in My Heart
  • Greeting Cards
    • Articles
  • Freebies
    • Resources

Five Signs of a Spiritual Freeze-Up

by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

spiritual growth - Can you detect the five signs of a spiritual freeze-up?

We can’t prevent the snow blanketing much of our country. Will winter never end? But a more serious condition can paralyze us. When it comes to spiritual growth, can you recognize the five signs of a spiritual freeze-up?

1. Life Becomes Boring

Just like endless days of winter, we may choose to soothe our spirits with meaningless pursuits. We may feel boxed in by uncontrollable circumstances and try unsuccessfully to curb the new chill of boredom. Instead of tuning our spirits, we often turn to things that won’t last–even harmful habits that set us up for failure. Our spiritual growth begins to suffer.

2. We Question Our Purpose

Can one person really make a difference in this world? Reasons can turn to excuses, and doubts plague us constantly. We’re too tired or busy to pray, or God’s too busy to listen, right? Five years from now? We can’t even see beyond today. We no longer see others’ needs. The forecast predicts another Arctic cold wave, and our spiritual growth takes a nosedive.

3. We Listen to the Wrong Voices

“Why bother trying? Nothing seems to work. No one cares what we do, anyway. And others are far more talented than us. We’re not qualified. This pattern will never end. Why don’t we hang it up? Just quit.” Dust gathers on the shelf along with our Bibles. The temperature is dropping, but we can’t feel it. Spiritual growth is stagnant.

4. God Turns Up the Heat

God turns up the heat, but frost has formed on the edges of our hearts, and the thermostat drops lower. We grab a sweater, but it does no good. Our spiritual wardrobe is threadbare. The warmth of His Spirit hovers close, but we can no longer feel it. If we don’t act soon, the pipes may freeze. No spiritual growth.

5. We Ignore Help

God’s gentle nudges go unheeded. He calls, but we can no longer hear His voice. His pressure ramps up, but our hearts are numb. We’re too scared–or proud–to ask for help. Our spiritual growth has frozen, and only a miracle can thaw our spirits. We are iced in by a spiritual freeze-up. And we don’t know what to do. Sounds like a pretty bleak picture, doesn’t it? But the good news is, God still waits on the other side of that door:

Look! I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me” (Revelations 3:20, TLB).

True Spiritual Growth and Spring Will Come Again!

Only Jesus can keep life exciting and purposeful, even in the dead of winter doldrums. Give thanks daily that He hasn’t abandoned you (Psalm 37:28) and that He has a wonderful plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). Take time to listen to Jesus. He will always speak truth to you from His Word (John 17:17). Recognize the discipline and warnings Jesus gives you. Run to His open arms of love (Psalm 31:7).

How do you keep your spiritual life growing and vital? How do you prevent a spiritual freeze-up?

Related Posts

  • One Thing You Can Do to Heal Your CountryOne Thing You Can Do to Heal Your Country
  • One Habit That Can Change Your Life – Now and ForeverOne Habit That Can Change Your Life – Now and Forever
  • A Prayer for Hope and New PerspectiveA Prayer for Hope and New Perspective
  • What God’s Love Does for UsWhat God’s Love Does for Us
  • Encouraging Words for Discouraging TimesEncouraging Words for Discouraging Times
  • Where Is God’s Presence When You Need It?Where Is God’s Presence When You Need It?
« Previous
Next »
rebecca-headshot

You are so important to me! As an inspirational author and day-voted follower of Jesus, my passion is to help you see God bigger and to deepen your intimacy with Him. I love to paint encouragement on the hearts of others just like you.

8 Ways to Grow Closer To God book cover

Free! Subscribe to my newsletter and blog updates and receive an ebook copy of 8 Ways to Draw Closer to God.

Recent Posts

  • Bible Promise for Today: Enduring Love
  • The 4 R Method for Everyday Bible Study – by Kathy Howard
  • Lessons Learned from 2020 and A New Year’s Prayer for You
  • 3 Things You Can Always Pray for at Christmas
  • A Christmas Prayer for You

Privacy Policy

© 2017 Rebecca Barlow Jordan. All rights reserved.   ·   website by Stormhill Media

© 2021 Jeanette Morris. All rights reserved.   ·   website by Stormhill Media

Copyright © 2021 · Aspire Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Tweet