Going Through the Motions? Finding God in Emotional Numbness
Faith-based support for when you feel emotionally flat
Sometimes, the hardest part isn’t the pain — it’s the absence of feeling. You’re not crying. You’re not angry. You’re not even anxious. You just… feel numb. Detached. Going through the motions of life, work, relationships, and even faith…
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. At Clarity Life Counselling, we walk alongside many clients who are silently struggling with emotional numbness. This is a topic rarely talked about, especially in Christian circles, but your emotional expression is deeply important to your overall wellbeing.
What Is Emotional Numbness?
Emotional numbness is a state where you feel disconnected from your own emotions and experiences. It’s not that you don’t care — it’s more like your feelings are locked behind a heavy, invisible wall.
People often describe it as:
“Feeling like a shell of myself”
“I know I should feel something, but I don’t”
“I’m functioning, but I’m not really living”
This numbness can be a protective response to prolonged stress, trauma, burnout, or grief. It’s your body’s way of saying, “This is too much — I need to shut down to cope.”
What if I Don’t Feel Anything?
Take James, for example. He’s a church leader, husband, and father. He’s dependable, always shows up, always says “I’m fine.” But deep down, he’s emotionally exhausted. He doesn’t feel joy in worship like he used to. His prayers feel hollow. His relationships feel flat. And he quietly wonders, “What’s wrong with me?”
The truth? Nothing is “wrong” with James — he’s just overwhelmed, and emotionally shut down. And he’s not alone.
The Bible Speaks to This, Too
Even in Scripture, we see moments where God’s people feel emotionally flat or distant. In Psalm 38:9, David writes:
“Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You.”
(Psalm 38:9, NKJV)
David doesn’t try to fake joy or push past his feelings. He brings his weariness honestly to God — sighs and all. Emotional numbness doesn’t scare God. In fact, it’s often an invitation to slow down and reconnect with Him gently and honestly.
What’s Happening in the Brain?
Here’s where psychoeducation helps. Emotional numbness is often linked to your nervous system’s response to chronic stress. When you’ve been stuck in fight-or-flight mode for too long, your system may shift into “freeze” — a state where emotions are blunted or shut down altogether (Levine, 2010).
This isn’t a moral failure or a lack of faith. It’s biology. And it’s something we can work through with compassion and the right support.
How Christian Counselling Helps
At Clarity Life Counselling, we gently help clients reconnect with their emotions in a safe, grounded way. Through faith-based therapy, we explore:
What’s beneath the numbness — stress, grief, trauma, or burnout
How your faith fits into the healing journey
Gentle body and breath awareness techniques (from trauma-informed approaches)
Biblical truth that reminds you: you’re not alone, and healing is possible
Together, we help you feel again — without fear or shame.
Questions to Reflect On
Do I often feel disconnected from my own emotions or spiritual life?
Have I been pushing through life without checking in with myself?
What might God be gently inviting me to feel again?
You’re Not Broken — You’re Human
Emotional numbness doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’ve been carrying a lot, and now it might be time to set some of it down.
If you’re ready to begin your healing journey, we’re here to walk with you. Faith and counselling can work beautifully together to restore what feels lost.
Take the first step today
Visit claritylifecounselling.co.uk to book your introductory session. Let’s talk about what healing could look like for you.
Reference:
Levine, P. A. (2010). In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness. North Atlantic Books.