Here’s the thing about spiritual growth: it rarely feels like progress in the moment.
You know that weird tension? When you’re doing all the right things—praying, reading, showing up—but inside it feels like you’re running on a spiritual treadmill? I’ve been there. Actually, I am there sometimes. And here’s a little-known fact that blew my mind: a 2021 Pew Research study found that 44% of practicing Christians say their faith is “strong but not growing.” That’s nearly half of us feeling stuck.
But here’s what most people miss: stuck isn’t the opposite of growth. It’s often the birthplace of it.
Let’s be honest—if your faith felt like a constant emotional high, you’d probably be suspicious. Real growth is messy. It’s the awkward phase where your old self doesn’t fit anymore, but your new self hasn’t fully arrived. So how do you know you’re actually growing when everything feels stagnant?
Here are 7 signs your faith is growing—even when it feels like you’re going nowhere.
1. You’re More Annoyed by Your Own Flaws Than Other People’s
I used to be the queen of spotting other people’s issues. You know the type—the spiritual detective who can identify a speck in someone else’s eye from across the room. But when growth is happening? The spotlight shifts inward.
You start noticing your own impatience. Your own pride. That little voice that says, “They deserved that snarky comment.” And here’s the weird part: you actually care about changing it. It bothers you now. That’s not a sign of failure—that’s the Holy Spirit doing renovations. You can’t fix what you can’t see, and suddenly you’re seeing a lot.
If you find yourself saying, “Wow, I really handled that poorly,” and it stings? That’s growth.
2. Your Prayers Sound Less Like a Shopping List and More Like a Confession
I’ve found that when I’m spiritually stuck, my prayers are all about me: “God, help me with this. Give me that. Fix this situation.” It’s basically me handing God a to-do list and expecting Him to clock in.
But growing faith changes the conversation. Suddenly, your prayers shift. You find yourself saying things like, “God, I don’t even know what I need right now. Just be with me.” Or, “Search my heart and show me what’s wrong.” You start listening more than you’re asking.
Here’s the secret: prayer that feels awkward or even silent is often more honest than polished, confident prayer. Real growth makes us humble enough to admit we don’t have it figured out.
3. You’re Starting to Question Things You Used to Accept Blindly
This one can feel scary. You might think, “Wait—if I’m questioning my faith, doesn’t that mean I’m losing it?” Actually, it’s often the opposite.
Growing faith doesn’t mean you have all the answers. It means you’re willing to ask hard questions because you trust God enough to handle them. You’re no longer afraid to admit, “I don’t understand why this happened,” or, “This Bible passage confuses me.” You’re moving from a faith that’s inherited to a faith that’s owned.
I remember when I stopped pretending to have everything figured out. It was terrifying at first. But then I realized: God isn’t threatened by your questions. He’s the one who gave you a brain. Use it.
4. You’re Less Quick to Judge, But More Quick to Set Boundaries
Wait—don’t these two things contradict each other? Nope. Here’s the nuance most people miss:
Judgment is about condemning someone’s soul. Boundaries are about protecting your own peace. Growing faith teaches you the difference.
When you’re spiritually maturing, you stop needing to fix everyone. You realize that your job isn’t to be the Holy Spirit for other people. So you’re slower to criticize, slower to gossip, slower to assume the worst. But you’re also faster to say, “I love you, but I can’t do this with you right now.”
That’s not cold. That’s wisdom. You can forgive someone and still not give them access to your life. Growth gives you the discernment to know the difference.
5. You’re More Comfortable With “I Don’t Know”
Let’s be real: uncertainty is the enemy of the ego. We want answers. We want closure. We want God to send us a memo with bullet points.
But growing faith? It makes space for mystery. You start to realize that some questions aren’t meant to be answered—they’re meant to be held. You learn to say, “I don’t know why this is happening, but I know who holds tomorrow.” And you actually mean it.
I’ve found that the most spiritually mature people I know are the ones who can admit, “I’m still figuring this out.” They don’t have all the answers, but they have peace anyway. That’s not weakness—that’s deep trust.
6. Your Faith Feels Less Like a Performance and More Like a Relationship
Here’s the ugly truth: a lot of us treat faith like a stage. We show up, say the right things, sing the right songs, and post the right verses. But inside? Empty.
When growth is happening, you start to hate the performance. You crave authenticity. You’d rather have a messy, honest prayer in your car than a perfect Sunday morning smile. You stop trying to impress people and start caring about being real with God.
This is the shift from religion to relationship. And it’s uncomfortable because it strips away all the props. But it’s also the most freeing thing in the world. You don’t have to perform for God—He already knows you.
7. You’re Still Here, Even Though It Feels Pointless
This is the big one. The ultimate sign of growth.
You haven’t quit.
Maybe you’ve stopped going to every church event. Maybe you’ve stopped reading your Bible daily. Maybe your prayer life looks like a series of frustrated sighs. But you’re still here. You’re still showing up, even when it feels like nothing is happening.
That persistence? That’s not luck. That’s the Holy Spirit holding onto you when you can’t hold onto Him. Faith isn’t about never doubting—it’s about staying in the room even when the lights go out.
I’ve been there. I’ve sat in my car and told God, “I don’t feel anything, but I’m not leaving.” And looking back, those were the moments my faith grew the most. Not because I felt powerful, but because I was desperate enough to be honest.
So if you’re reading this and thinking, “I feel stuck,” take a breath. Stuck isn’t a death sentence—it’s a season. And seasons change.
The fact that you’re even looking for signs of growth? That’s a sign in itself. Dead things don’t search for life. Growing things are restless. And you are restless.
So keep showing up. Keep asking questions. Keep being honest about the struggle. Because the faith that grows in the dark is the faith that lasts in the light.
Now I want to hear from you: Which of these signs hit closest to home? Drop a comment or send me a message—I read every single one.