Barriers to Spiritual Growth: Cleaning out the Clutter - Make Room for God to Move

We all want to grow spiritually; to bear fruit, to stand strong, to be steady in faith. But let’s be real, sometimes growth gets blocked. Not because God has stopped working, but because we’ve built walls that keep His Spirit from moving freely within us.

Let’s tear those walls down together.

Here are six common barriers to spiritual growth that God has been showing me through His Word, ministry, motherhood, marriage, and the everyday grind of life.

Possessions

When our hands are full of stuff, there’s no room left to hold on to God.

We chase things that sparkle but can’t satisfy. What we own starts owning us. And suddenly, we’re measuring blessings by quantity instead of quality.

But Scripture reminds us —

• “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy… but store up treasures in heaven.” (Matthew 6:19–20)

True contentment is freedom. When you loosen your grip on what fades, your hands are open for what lasts.

Ignoring Sin

Let’s be honest — ignoring sin takes on many faces.
Not asking for help when we need it.
Not leading by example because of laziness.
Not shining with joy because of pity.

All of these are pride — and pride blocks the presence of God.

• “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

We need to ruthlessly “get rid of all evil behavior.” (1 Peter 2:1, Matthew 5:29–30)

Because what we excuse today becomes what enslaves us tomorrow. Confession clears the heart for growth.

• “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Not Reading (and Living) God’s Word

I share with the women and youth all the time: You can’t be armored up if you’re not in your Word — and not applying it.

Reading is one thing. Living it out is another. God’s Word isn’t a checklist — it’s our lifeline.

• “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

If you want to grow, you’ve got to feed your faith, not your feelings. His Word doesn’t just inform — it transforms.

Power

Control comes in many ways.

When we feel like we’ve lost control, we try to control what’s closest to us — people, plans, outcomes. But that only creates trauma and unhealthy circumstances.

The need to control is the enemy of surrender. Spiritual maturity is learning to trust the One who truly is in control.

• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)

Release the grip and watch peace return.

Relationships

We become who we walk with.

I’ve seen this in my young adult life, singleness, motherhood, marriage, and ministry. The flesh will drive us to indulge in unhealthy relationships because we’ve forgotten or ignored who we are in Christ.

We so desperately want to belong, to be noticed, to be loved, to be favored — that we allow relationships that are no good for us. This can happen in friendships, dating, or marriage, and unfortunately even in discipleship.

Instead of allowing God to lead or being still long enough to hear His warnings we choose to ignore and partake.

• “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?” (2 Corinthians 6:14)

God is first. If we remind ourselves of that daily, we must also hand over the reins daily.

I personally almost destroyed my life by choosing to make my own way in many types of relationships or “situationships,” and in the process, I lost my entire identity. I was searching for something that was with me all along — the presence and love of God.

• “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26)

• “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)

• “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

Wrong relationships can slowly drain your spirit dry. Even good ones can distract if they pull you from God’s voice. Surround yourself with people who sharpen you, not shadow you.

Choose companions who lift your faith, not your flesh.
And still, pray for those who are detouring you from God.

Sometimes people don’t even realize they’re doing it — gossiping, complaining, revengefulness — all of it is of the world and flesh.
If you don’t remove those influences from your spirit, they’ll drag you into a place you were never meant to dwell.

• “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

• “Walk with the wise and become wise.” (Proverbs 13:20)

Busyness

There’s a difference between busyness and a full schedule.

Busyness drains. A full schedule can still be sacred — if it’s surrendered.

Understanding when and where to take a Sabbath is vital to restoration. God is a God of order, not chaos.

Answering the call of the Lord is obedience, but listening when He says, “Rest, my child,” is just as crucial.

Relinquishing the call back to Him and allowing Him to guide your steps keeps busyness at bay and provides the surrender He is looking for.

• “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

It’s His mission to begin with — not ours.

Devotional Reflection “Make Room for God to Move”

Take a deep breath.
Now ask yourself — what’s cluttering your spirit right now?

Maybe it’s something small, like overcommitting or under-resting.
Maybe it’s something big, like pride, fear, or a relationship that keeps you spinning instead of standing.

Whatever it is, God already knows. And He’s not shaming you — He’s inviting you.

He wants the space that’s been filled with noise.
He wants to sit in the quiet corners you’ve kept hidden.
He wants to water the dry soil you’ve been ignoring.

Growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you say,
“Lord, this ground is Yours. Plant what You will. Pull what You must.”

Every barrier you surrender becomes a seed for something greater — deeper peace, renewed joy, stronger faith, and steady obedience.

So today, let this be your posture:
No more pretending. No more performing.
Just honest, surrendered, Spirit-led growth.

• “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” (Philippians 1:6)

Prayer

Father, You see every barrier that stands between us and You, every prideful thought, every distraction, every fear we’ve let build walls around our hearts. Today we choose to tear them down.

Forgive us for ignoring sin, for chasing control, for holding tight to what should’ve been surrendered long ago.
Forgive us for calling busyness obedience when sometimes You’ve just asked us to be still.

Help us to seek You first in every possession, every relationship, every decision.
Give us wisdom to prune what hinders growth and courage to nurture what honors You.

Let Your Word be our anchor, Your Spirit our guide, and Your love our fuel.
Make us disciples who grow deeply and shine brightly.

In Jesus’ name,Amen

Challenge for the Week:

Take one barrier that stood out to you — and work with God to replace it with truth.

• If it’s busyness, practice Sabbath.

• If it’s pride, ask for help.

• If it’s relationships, evaluate who’s feeding your faith.

• If it’s power, practice surrender.

• If it’s possessions, give something away.

• If it’s sin, confess it and let grace rebuild your strength.

Let this be the week you make room for God to move.