Can I tell you something personal? There are moments in life when the weight of our faith walk just gets heavy. We do the right things, check off the boxes, show up week after week. But somewhere in that routine, the spark can start to fade. Maybe you’ve felt it too. Maybe you’ve wondered if those tiny frustrations or that gut feeling are actually signs you need spiritual reset. I know I have.
In our recent podcast episode, something clicked for me. We talked about that difference between showing up and being filled up. And if I’ve learned anything, it’s that the Holy Spirit makes all the difference. Today I want to walk through some of the real signs it might be time to reevaluate your spiritual journey, and why paying attention to that sense of God’s presence (or absence) could change everything. So, settle in with me. Let’s talk honestly. You are not alone here.
What Are the Real Signs You Need Spiritual Reset?
Let’s get straight to it. Here’s the thing. Faith should bring peace, hope, and connection – not just a checklist or pressure to perform. If you’re reading this and you feel a bit restless in your heart or uneasy at church, those feelings can be signals worth paying attention to. Sometimes, the most obvious signs you need spiritual reset are the ones we try hardest to ignore.
- You walk into church (or your small group, or your quiet time) and feel empty instead of expectant.
- Your prayers have started to sound robotic, distant – like you’re just reciting words.
- Worship feels forced, like you’re more focused on how you look to others than what’s happening in your heart.
- You notice yourself mentally checking out during sermons or conversations about God.
- You keep asking, “Where is the Holy Spirit in all of this?” but you don’t have an answer.
Does this sound familiar? I have been that person sitting at the edge of a pew, nodding along but longing for something more. And the longer I pushed those feelings down, the more obvious it became that these were classic signs you need spiritual reset. Sometimes, we just need to admit it to ourselves before we’re ready to change anything.
Why the Holy Spirit’s Presence Is Everything in Your Faith
You see, when the Holy Spirit is truly present in our lives, everything feels different. Not perfect, but alive. You feel joy in worship that’s not tied to performance. There’s an ease in prayer. Your Bible readings start to mean more than just words on a page. And here’s a little secret I wish someone would have said to me sooner: noticing the lack of the Holy Spirit’s presence is not a sign you are failing at faith. More often, it’s a nudge. That gentle reminder that God wants real relationship with us, not just religious routine. In our podcast, we shared experiences where you sense something’s off, even if everything looks fine on the outside. You can’t force the Holy Spirit to show up, but you can absolutely make space for Him by being honest about what’s missing.
What Happens If You Ignore the Signs?
I know it’s tempting to just keep going, hoping things will get better. But ignoring the signs you need spiritual reset keeps us stuck. Over time, the disconnect grows bigger. Your mind starts to wander away from God, even as your body shows up for all the right things. That’s not what any of us want.
And can I be vulnerable for a moment? I spent too long pretending everything was fine because I didn’t want to disrupt the status quo. I felt guilty even considering that I might need to step back from regular church or ministry roles. But the signs were all pointing in the same direction. When our faith life becomes more about performance than presence, we miss out on the best parts of what God has for us.
How to Respond When You Notice Signs You Need Spiritual Reset
So what do you do when you realize it’s time for a reset? You don’t have to overhaul your entire life at once. You don’t need to start over from scratch. Sometimes, all it takes is a few brave steps and open conversations with God and people you trust.
1. Pause and Listen
First, give yourself permission to stop and listen. Pay attention to what your heart is saying. Are you feeling anxious, numb, or even resentful? Those emotions are signposts, not shame triggers. They can reveal what’s missing or what needs more care from God.
2. Stop Checking Boxes
It’s easy to get trapped in the mindset that showing up is all God asks of us. But I’ve learned the hard way that religion without relationship feels empty. Try stepping back from compulsive routines just for a week or two. Notice if skipping church or a ministry role gives you space to breathe and reflect. That might feel uncomfortable, but it’s often the best way to let God speak into your situation.
3. Seek Real Community and Honest Connection
You know what made a huge difference for me? Talking about it. Finding a safe friend (or sometimes a podcast community) that isn’t afraid to talk about what’s hard in church or faith. When my sister Brianna and I opened up about this on the podcast, it was like taking off a heavy mask. You might find that the more you talk, the more you realize you are not alone. There’s so much encouragement in community when we’re brave enough to be honest.
4. Create Space for the Holy Spirit in Everyday Life
This is the one that surprised me most. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit shows up when we’re doing the dishes, folding laundry, or just having quiet prayer at home with family. The building doesn’t create the presence. Your willingness to pause and pay attention does. You might feel God most in those little moments, not just on Sundays. And that can be such a gift.
5. Trust God More Than Your Feelings
Feelings are real, but they’re not always truth. Scripture says, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28 CSB). Jesus isn’t asking for perfect attendance or high performance. He’s welcoming you as you are, inviting you out of heaviness into rest.
Are You Interrupting or Ignoring Your Own Reset?
Let’s have an honest talk. Sometimes we sense the need for a spiritual reset but get too scared to follow through. Maybe we worry about letting people down at church, or disappointing leaders. We might even fear losing relationships if we admit those signs you need spiritual reset are growing louder.
I remember times I stayed in roles too long out of guilt. Or kept showing up because I thought, "If I don’t do it, no one will." But God’s grace is steady. He gives us little prompts and moments of confirmation so we know we’re not just being sensitive or selfish. Each time you tune in to those nudges, you are creating more room for renewal.
What to Expect When You Actually Reset Your Spiritual Life
Now here’s the hope. When you respond to those early signs you need spiritual reset, it’s not usually a dramatic overhaul or a public scene. It often starts as a quiet shift inside. Your heart softens. You become more patient with yourself and others. You find new joy in prayer, worship, and even mundane moments with God. Over time, you might discover new ways to connect that never fit inside traditional expectations.
- You get more honest about your needs and boundaries.
- You rediscover spiritual practices that actually fill you up.
- You experience God’s love as relief, not pressure.
And the church? The door to authentic community is still open. There’s space for wrestling, resetting, and healing – as long as we’re willing to bring our real selves to the table. If you want to hear a story of what it’s like to sense these signs and make those hard changes, our latest episode goes much deeper.
How to Know You’re Not Alone If You Need a Spiritual Reset
Maybe you’re sitting with questions after reading all this. I want you to know, if you’re sensing these signs you need spiritual reset, there’s a whole community quietly asking the same things. You don’t have to have every answer to take one step. You aren’t failing anyone by needing renewal. That ache for something more is often the beginning of God doing a new thing in your life.
In the end, it will look different for all of us, but the fruit is the same: peace, freedom, and a deeper sense of God’s presence. You’ll stop performing and start experiencing again. And isn’t that what we all long for?
Take the Next Step: Tune in for Honest Conversation and Hope
Friend, if you found yourself nodding along today, take this as permission to pause, reflect, and open your heart to the Spirit. Let the little signs you need spiritual reset become an invitation, not an indictment. God is not done with you yet. He has new mercies each morning for those who are willing to step off the treadmill of performance and step into honest relationship.
If you’re ready to explore more, I invite you to listen to our full podcast episode [Faith Reframed Part 1: From Religion to Relationship] for the raw, real backstories that inspired this post. And if you need more actionable ideas, check out my blog post How to Rekindle Your Faith When Church Feels Hard for practical ways to rebuild.
You belong in this community. The Holy Spirit is not far away. Sometimes, finding your way back is as simple as listening and surrendering. I’m praying for your reset, your renewal, and for the presence of God to be more real than ever.
