Feeling Spiritually Stuck? There's a Way Forward That Fits You

Dear friend,

Do you ever feel stuck in your spiritual growth? You long to become more like Jesus, but you’re unsure what steps to take next. That can be deeply frustrating.

Here’s the good news: spiritual formation isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. There’s no magic formula to becoming more Christlike. Instead, the Spirit of Jesus — who knows you intimately — leads you personally along the path (Hebrews 12:2).

Many churches rely on Sunday sermons or group programs to guide discipleship, and while those can be valuable, they often overlook how different we all are. Each of us brings a unique personality and story to our walk with Christ. That’s where personalized spiritual disciplines come in.

Spiritual disciplines are simply intentional ways of spending time with Jesus. They create space for His grace to meet you right where you are — especially in your struggles and blind spots. While practices like prayer and Bible study may be familiar, almost any activity can become a spiritual discipline when done unto the Lord.

But here's the key: certain disciplines may be more fruitful for your spiritual growth based on your personality — especially when you understand how your default coping strategies might be blocking grace. That’s where the Enneagram can be a powerful tool for transformation.

Take me, for example… I’m an Enneagram Three — the Achiever. I’m naturally driven to succeed, stay productive, and meet expectations. While that can be a strength, it also makes it hard for me to slow down and be honest about what’s really going on inside. I tend to hide my weaknesses — even from myself — in order to keep up an image of being capable and in control.

But spiritual growth doesn't come from pretending I have it all together. For me, the most fruitful spiritual discipline is emotional honesty — creating space to acknowledge what I’m really feeling and bring it before God without judgment. This discipline helps me let go of performance and find freedom in being fully known and loved by Jesus. 

Here’s a simple guide to begin:

Type One (Reformer): Abandoning outcomes to God

Type Two (Helper): Solitude

Type Three (Achiever): Emotional honesty

Type Four (Individualist): Thankfulness

Type Five (Observer): Bible study as worship

Type Six (Loyalist): Scripture meditation

Type Seven (Enthusiast): Silence

Type Eight (Challenger): Spiritual friendship

Type Nine (Peacemaker): Spiritual direction

If you want to dive deeper into how your heart and habits are being shaped, consider meeting with a trained spiritual director who uses the Enneagram to help you grow in grace, truth, and Christlikeness.

Let’s keep breathing deeply and walking daily with Jesus — with every breath.begins with an idea.