🏃‍♀️ Are You Growing or Just Grinding? Breaking Free from the Spiritual Treadmill

Ever feel like you’re hustling hard for spiritual growth but not actually getting anywhere? Like you’re sprinting on a spiritual treadmill—sweaty, breathless, and still stuck in place? 🏃‍♀️💨

You're trying to do all the things...

• 🎧 Bingeing podcasts and devotionals like your spiritual life depends on it

• 💬 Journaling every thought... but still circling the same questions

• 🗂️ Color-coding Bible verses like it’s finals week

• ✍🏼 Writing down prophetic words you’re not sure what to do with

• 😩 Saying yes to everything at church hoping something finally clicks

  
  

And still... something feels off. You are definitely not the only one!

Most of us really want to grow. We want to feel spiritually mature—like we’ve got some real wisdom under our belt. Some depth. Some traction. Like we’re not just trying, but actually becoming who God created us to be.

And trust me, I’ve seen it again and again over 20+ years of pastoring—and I’ve lived it, too.

The spiritual hustle usually starts from a good place. We want to be good. Do things right. Love God back with passion. But somewhere along the way, it’s easy to get lost in all the doing... and wind up spiritually exhausted instead of spiritually alive.

Let me tell you about Lindy, one of our Revival Life sisters:

She grew up a pastor’s kid—knew all the Scriptures, led the prayers, raised her hands like a pro. But deep down, she couldn’t connect any of it to her real life. She constantly felt like she was missing it. Like no matter how much she knew, God was still disappointed. And the pressure, the striving, the stress, the serving everybody but herself? It started wrecking her body. (to be continued... 👇🏼)

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The Lie We've Been Sold:

“More knowledge = more spiritual maturity.”

But here’s the truth bomb: Knowing stuff ≠ living it.

I mean, we all know we should eat clean and stick to a budget… 🥗💳😂 Doesn’t mean we always do it.

Same thing here. You can binge sermons, memorize Greek, journal your heart out—and still feel stuck.

It’s the difference between Martha’s whirlwind of doing and Mary’s one thing: sitting with Jesus.

We’ve been trained to believe more effort = more growth. But God’s often inviting us into something far more powerful: rest, trust, and actual transformation.

Think about it—sleep, winter, pruning… Quiet things grow deep roots. 🌱 Stillness doesn’t mean nothing’s happening. It means God’s doing something deeper.

Spiritual maturity isn’t about striving harder. It's about moving in rhythm with Him. That’s where the real growth happens: less grinding, more growing.

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🫣 Enter: The Dunning-Kruger Effect

It’s that sneaky little thing where someone learns a little... and suddenly thinks they’re an expert.

Like...

• That friend with no kids who read one article & now they’re a parenting coach

• Us, with a half-watched DIY video, thinking we can renovate the bathroom. 🔨

• My husband’s Master of Divinity… that didn’t make him a master in divinity 😬 (love you, babe)

Jesus had something to say about this:

“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” — Matthew 7:24

Not “memorizes them” or “takes killer sermon notes.”

He said: puts them into practice.

Jesus lived that truth. Before He ever preached His first sermon, He spent 30 hidden years becoming the message—loving His family, working with His hands, staying connected to the Father. No shortcuts. No platforms. Just faithfulness in the mundane and sensitivity to move in step with God.

That’s what made His words hit different—Jesus was what He said. 🔥

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That’s Real Maturity: Embodied Truth

“Don't merely listen to the word... do what it says.”— James 1:22

That’s where the shift happens. Where wisdom grows legs. Where you stop jogging in circles... and start running free.

I love reading the Bible—but I want it to move through me, not just sit in my notes. I love to live out the promises I'm reading are possible for me!

I want to discern the season around me, recognize the gems within me, and pay attention to the timely growth He’s cultivating. And I want it to be simple. (Hint: it actually is.)

Like when I hear God say, “I love spending time with you. You’re such a delight to Me.” So I linger with Him longer… or chat with Him while I fold laundry.

Or He says, “That idea you had? Let’s do it—it’ll make them feel so seen.”

And suddenly? Truth becomes simple but bold action. Growth starts to feel like joy and freedom again. ✨

“True enrichment comes from the blessing of the Lord, with rest and contentment in knowing that it all comes from Him.” — Proverbs 10:22

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Imagine ditching the treadmill vibes 🙅🏼‍♀️

The wind in your face, the sun on your skin, the scenic view, the crowd cheering you on. Not stuck in place—but actually moving forward.

This is what spiritual growth is supposed to feel like: Freedom. Progress. Joy.

You’re not grinding for God’s approval anymore—you’re running with Him, in sync and in step. Feeling His delight over your life.

👉🏼 That’s what happened with our girl Lindy.

The internal pressure lifted. She finally started feeling God's peace and pleasure again. Not because she studied harder... But because she stopped trying to earn it and started living it—one simple step at a time.

And she had a crew beside her all the way. 🙌🏽

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Here’s your permission slip:

❌ You don’t have to be a spiritual robot.

❌ You don’t have to podcast yourself into perfection.

❌ You don’t have to earn God’s approval.

✅ You get to be you—

Full of fire.

Moving in faith.

Letting truth transform your life.

“Abide in Me… and you will bear much fruit.”— Jesus in John 15:4-5

Real growth isn’t complicated. It's hearing God's words and doing them.

Just head → to heart → to hands. It's possible to do simply and daily!

And when you do? 💥 Your life will light up.

You’re not meant to stay stuck on the spiritual treadmill. You're meant to walk (and run!) with Him—one faithful, freeing step at a time.

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Let's Keep Growing Together!

This journey with Jesus was never meant to be walked alone. You need people who see clearly, call you higher, and reflect Jesus when your lens gets foggy.

That’s what godly community does. We help each other hear God, shake off shame, and remember who we are when we forget.

I love that you’re here. You're part of something holy. Kelsi and I are in your corner—praying, cheering, and believing hard for the wild, beautiful story God’s unfolding in your life.

So keep going. You’re building Kingdom muscle. You’re becoming unshakable!

🔥 Let’s run wild—free, on fire, and in step with Jesus.

Cheering you on, CHAMPION!

Kandi