Learning to Feel Again: A Gentle Guide Through Numbness

Healing from Spiritual or Emotional Shutdown

There are seasons when your heart goes quiet—not by choice, but by survival. When the grief, betrayal, or sheer weight of life numbs your emotions, feeling nothing feels safer than feeling everything. You go through the motions: you pray, you show up, you smile when needed. But if you’re honest, there’s a dullness where there used to be warmth. A silence where there used to be joy.

This is what emotional or spiritual shutdown looks like. You’re not cold. You’re guarded. You’re not faithless. You’re just tired of hurting.

But here’s the good news: numbness is not the end. It’s a pause. And God is patient with pauses.

Scripture says in Psalm 34:18 (NLT), “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” That verse doesn’t ask you to leap into healing—it simply reminds you that God is close. Even when you don’t feel Him. Even when you don’t feel anything.

Some of us learned to stop feeling because it was the only way to keep going. But now? Now you’re safe to feel again. And it starts slowly:

• A tear during worship.
• A memory that no longer paralyzes you.
• A laugh you didn’t see coming.

That’s healing breaking through. That’s God working on your heart behind the scenes.

There is no rush to “get back to normal.” Numbness didn’t appear overnight. So, feeling again takes time. And time is sacred when you’re healing.

A few reminders if you’re on this journey:

1. Don’t rush your heart. It knows when it’s ready.
2. Let small things stir you. A song. A sunrise. A safe conversation.
3. Invite God in—even if all you can say is “help.” He hears that too.

You don’t need to manufacture joy. Just allow yourself to breathe again. Little by little, the heart that shut down in survival mode will learn how to feel safe. And not just feel—but feel deeply. Honestly. Fully.

The numbness is fading.

Not because you forced it…
But because you finally gave yourself permission to heal.

Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr.

District Elder & Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr. is a seasoned IT Professional and spiritual leader who bridges technology and faith to drive innovation in schools, churches, and communities. With certifications in ITIL, Google Workspace, AI, and church administration, he empowers organizations to thrive through strategic tech integration and leadership.

Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr.

District Elder & Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr. is a seasoned IT Professional and spiritual leader who bridges technology and faith to drive innovation in schools, churches, and communities. With certifications in ITIL, Google Workspace, AI, and church administration, he empowers organizations to thrive through strategic tech integration and leadership.