How to Break Out of Your Spiritual Plateau With the Jesus Challenge

Have you ever felt just … stuck? 😵‍💫 You’re doing all the right things – reading your Bible, praying, showing up to church, serving… 

But you feel like a robot, going through the motions. Not really alive. 

Your faith seems to come to a grinding standstill. Joy and hope are distant emotions, and you feel nothing. That nothing starts to feel like a giant wedge driving you away from that vibrant, soul-filling relationship with Jesus you long for. 

“What am I doing wrong?”
“Why does God feel so far away?” 

We’ve all been there – in that weird place of frustration, confusion, and a little bit of shame, wondering where things went south. 

But I have good news for you! 😊 This is NOT the end of your story, friend! Far from it! 

In fact, this desert place might just be a threshold into a newer, deeper, more intimate chapter of your journey with Jesus. YES, it could be literally the OPPOSITE of what you think it is! 😱

So together let’s unpack why this feels so hard right now, and more importantly, how my virtual Jesus challenge can help you break free and experience something more fresh, real, and exciting than you ever imagined! 

Why Do Spiritual Plateaus Happen? 

Spiritual plateaus often have subtle causes that aren’t immediately obvious. Let’s take a look at a few of the common culprits that might be keeping you stuck: 

1. Erosion of Priorities 📉

Sometimes a spiritual plateau sneaks in so quietly, you don’t even see it happening. Life gets busy – really busy. But it’s full of GOOD things: work, family, church, volunteering, kids’ sports schedules, and oh yeah, that tiny slice of time for yourself. And before you know it, meaningful time with God is gone, washed away by your packed schedule. 

And here’s the hard truth: when we focus on doing for God instead of being with Him, we start getting distracted by endless “good” things. Jesus wasn’t joking when He reminded Martha that Mary’s choice to simply BE with Him was the best choice. Busyness – even for good reasons – can edge out the stillness we need to truly hear Him. 

2. The Subtle Trap of Comparison 😒

Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt like your spiritual life doesn’t measure up to someone else’s. ✋(Same!) But comparison is a trap that will always leave you feeling discouraged, small, and like you’re not enough. 

Your relationship with God is deeply personal. What God is doing in someone else’s life does NOT diminish what He’s doing in yours. A plateau does not disqualify you from God’s work in your life. And chances are, the person you compare yourself to also walked through a plateau and will again! 

Removing comparison from your life requires a new level of trust in God’s careful plan – that He knows best and you don’t. It means you’re letting go of the “what ifs,” and the “shoulds,” and the shame – to let God do His beautiful work in you at the right time. 🌱 He knows what He’s doing, and He is NEVER late. 

3. Spiritual Warfare 🛡️

Sometimes a plateau isn’t just a “dry season.” It’s resistance. The enemy doesn’t want you to grow closer to God. He’ll throw everything at you – doubts, apathy, distraction – to make you question why you’re even pursuing God in the first place. 

But there’s hope! Jesus has already won! Even here, in the middle of the battle, you’re not fighting alone. When you turn to Him – even in your weakness – He equips you with everything you need to stay strong. 

The Truth About Spiritual Growth 

Spiritual growth is not a straight, upward climb. It’s messy, unpredictable, full of sudden twists and turns. 🎢

Sound kind of crazy and out of control? 

I hope so! 👉 Because that’s exactly where we learn to be fully dependent on God – more than on our own understanding. 

Spiritual growth is a journey, not a sprint. The Bible often uses metaphors like planting, watering, and waiting for harvest. Growth is slow, and it often happens beneath the surface where you can’t see it yet. That does not mean God isn’t working. 

So yes, even the frustrating, stagnant plateaus serve a purpose. These “underground” seasons are vital for God to do His transformative work in you. And more than likely, this plateau is a threshold before you step into a brand-new, fresh chapter with God! He’s preparing you for something greater. 💪 

Friend, you can be encouraged! You’re not failing. You’re not broken. You’re in the middle of the journey, feeling weak, and that’s exactly where God wants to meet you. Don’t give up! You’re much closer to a breakthrough than you realize. 

Practical Steps To Break Out of a Plateau Today

A spiritual plateau feels very confusing and disorienting. 

Where in the world do I go next? 

What’s helpful and what’s not? 

What’s my next move?

 I put together a practical little list of next steps for you to practice today. As you add these to your life, you’ll feel your spark return. Trust me, you’re not stuck forever. 🫶

1. Remember your why 

Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily routine, that we forget the passion and purpose behind what first sparked our journey with God. So when things feel flat, it’s time to pause and ask yourself, “Why did I want to know God in the first place?” Get back to the true roots of your relationship with God. 

• What is it about Him that drew you to Him? 

• What did you need back then? 

• Pull out your old journals and browse through the lessons He’s taught you. 

Rediscovering the purpose behind your relationship with God can rekindle that spark and motivate you to keep moving forward. 🔥

2. Journal 

All the thoughts, fears, doubts, and questions of this plateau matter big time. Writing them down can help you see them more clearly and invite God to speak into those thoughts. It can be a simple bullet point list, a long and rambling diary entry, or just random thoughts as they arise. ✍️

No fancy journal prompts needed – just write about your day, your doubts, your questions, and your prayers. God can handle it all. 

3. Diversify and simply your time with God 

If you’ve been reading the Bible or praying in the same old routine – 

at the same time every day

in the same location 

for the same amount of time 

with the same prompts 

In the same order… 

of course it feels old! It’s time to switch it up. 

Here are some options to try: 

• Go for a prayer walk without your phone 📵

• Listen to a sermon while you clean 🎧

• Switch out the podcast for worship music while you drive 🚗

• Read a children’s storybook Bible instead of your regular Bible 📖

Sometimes we overcomplicate our time with Him as though we must religiously follow a ritual to access His heart. No, all He desires is for our hearts to be open and available. He’ll speak when the time is right. 

4. Invite Jesus into daily moments 

This one sounds so simple, but it’s easy to forget – and makes a world of difference. You don’t have to reserve your time with Jesus to just your quiet time. Invite Him into the little moments of your day. 🤲

As you stand over the sink, rinsing dishes. 

As you sit behind the wheel of your car. 

As you change a diaper. 

As you open your laptop for work. 

He delights in every detail of your life, and He’s eager for you to notice Him there! 

5. Fight for gratitude 

Gratitude is one of the most powerful weapons we have against apathy! ⚔️ 

When you feel stuck, it’s SO easy to focus on what’s not working. So today, actively look for the good. For God’s fingerprints. Take note of what you find. 📝 And no, there’s NOTHING too small. 

• The way a warm cup of coffee feels in your hand. 

• Your child’s soft smile. 

• The ability to work. 

• The crunching of leaves outside. 

We so easily overlook God’s insane gift of life every single day, unhappy with the “what if’s” and “should’s” and “could’s.” When you make gratitude an intentional habit, you see the beauty already popping all around you – and that you are right where you need to be. 😌

6. Lean on community 

Remember, you’re not alone in this. Sometimes just talking things through with a friend can make a huge difference. 🫂 Don’t be afraid to ask someone – God often uses others to help us grow.  And even though they won’t have all the answers, sometimes just being heard and understood is powerful enough to shake that plateau. 

The Jesus Challenge: A Plateau Breaker

If you’re feeling stuck, uninspired, or like you're just going through the motions with God, I designed my Jesus virtual challenge for people just like you. 🫶

Thankfully it's not just another quick-fix solution. God knows we don't need more of those! 😅 

This virtual Jesus challenge is a 40-day journey designed to rekindle your passion for God by focusing on the basics –  consistent, intentional time with him. 

 Here's why it works:

1.  It reestablishes priorities. 🥇

One of the biggest causes of plateaus is when life crowds out your time with God. The Jesus challenge helps you carve out space and protect your greatest and most important relationship. With simple, manageable steps, this 40-day scripture challenge helps you develop habits to prioritize God in your day-to-day life. Yes, even when you're crazy busy!

2. It equips you for lasting change. 🗓️

 When you join the Jesus challenge, you commit to small, bite-sized daily habits. Habits that set God back at the front of your life. These small, intentional habits may not feel groundbreaking at the moment. but over time they create a foundation of life-long transformation. This challenge teaches you sustainable rhythms you can carry far beyond 40 days. 

3.   It's a fresh way to spend time with God. 🧎

 Sometimes spiritual plateaus happen because you’ve fallen into a routine or are stuck in the same approach. With a daily walk, pre-assigned scripture, optional application challenges, and a community of highly supportive participants, the Jesus virtual challenge breaks you out of the rut and into a fresh, exciting walk with God. 

4.  It keeps you accountable. 🤝

I know how hard it is to stay consistent on your own. When you join this 40-day Scripture challenge, you're added to a private Facebook group. This special place is full of people who love Jesus and are willing to do anything to follow Him. It's a safe space to share struggles, victories, and prayer requests, and gain lifelong friends who are running hard after Jesus.

5.  It focuses on the relationship, not the rules. 👥

 The point of the virtual Jesus challenge is to expose your heart to God's word daily, prioritize your spiritual and physical health, and rekindle a deep intimacy with the Lord. The goal is not perfection. It's to fall in love with your wonderful Maker all over again! 

 So if you're tired of feeling stuck, why not give it a shot? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! This 40-day Scripture challenge might just be the fresh start your heart's been longing for. 😍

Your Plateau Is Your New Beginning! 

Take heart, dear friend! This desert place is simply a threshold, a place where God wants to do even greater work in your life. The very fact that you're feeling unsettled or frustrated could be a sign that God is stirring something new in you. 🤩 You don't have to figure this out alone and you're not expected to fix it overnight. 

But you do have to take a step forward. ▶️

 That's exactly why I created my virtual Jesus challenge –  to offer you a practical, simple road out of your spiritual plateau. More than anything, I long for you to rediscover the joy of walking closely with God. 🥹 And I know you will! He is faithful to finish the good work He started in you. 

 So what's stopping you? This could be the very thing that shifts your spiritual life in all the ways you've been wanting. Don't wait for the “perfect” time or worry about whether you'll do it perfectly (Spoiler: none of us do!) 😅

Sign up for the Jesus challenge today, and let this be the beginning of stepping over that threshold. It’s time to take decisive action into something new, something meaningful, and something that reminds you just how faithful God is, even in the messy middle. 

 God is waiting to meet you. Are you ready to go deep with Him? 

Click Here: I want to grow!