"I just can't feel anything..."
Deep down... I didn't want to at that time.
numb
/nəm/
adjective
1. unable to feel anything in a particular part of your body especially as a result of cold or anesthesia
"It was so cold that my fingers went numb."
2. unable to think, feel, or react normally because of something that shocks or upsets you : indifferent
"He stood there numb with fear."
Numbness is also known as dissociation. It means becoming temporarily disconnected from your feelings and experiences. Dissociation is one way the mind copes with too much stress, such as during a traumatic event. This where that state of shock comes in due to the overload of stress, fear, or deep embedded sorrow.
Numbing out is when you feel your emotional capacity has been maxed out. Your heart is checked out. Your pain threshold has been maximized. It can make life quit difficult to operate and process what's going on around you.
If you feel like you're in this position right now, I want you to know that, it's okay. This is actually more common than we think. Look around the world. Many people have completely checked out a long time ago and are now using distractions like social media, substance abuse, partying, and the like to barracked their hearts and mind from what's truly going on deep in their soul. Just like any other sin and heart problems that goes on in our life: God has the remedy!
Jesus said, "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold" (Matthew 24:12). For this to happen, the heart must become closed off, numb, and disconnected. However, before such a shutdown occurs, it is crucial to recognize and address the pain in our hearts in a healthy and constructive way.
Since God spoke about it, there's hope! To get out of this funk, one has to make intentional steps forward to emotional freedom in Christ.
Let's check out an example of someone who felt numb.
The man after God's own heart, who was superbly in tuned with his emotions. David.
Psalm 38:8 in the New English Translation (NET) reads:
"I am numb with pain and severely battered; I groan loudly because of the anxiety I feel"
This is a psalm of David, titled a petition to God. [[I recommend reading the entire psalm!]] In the beginning of this psalm, verse 1 through 4, David is petitioning with God to withhold His rebuke from David due to his sin.
First thing we can learn is numbing out, starts with sin. This is why our hearts truly grows cold toward other people, but ultimately toward God. The sins can be sins of the flesh, "outward sins", such as sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, and drunkenness. It can also be sins of the heart, more "inward", such as hatred, revenge, covetousness, envy, cursing, anger, and criticism. The Bible does talk about how our sins separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2).
The good news is that God offers us the gift of repentance, which allows us to turn away from sin and be restored to a right relationship with Him. Acts 3:19 tells us, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Repentance is a gift because it invites us into God’s grace, freeing us from guilt, shame, and the heavy burdens that come with sin.
When we numb out, we might try to escape the pain of sin, but true healing begins when we acknowledge our brokenness and turn to God. He doesn’t just forgive us—He transforms us. Ezekiel 36:26 says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This promise reminds us that God softens even the coldest, most disconnected hearts.
Next step is: turning to God. Keeping out eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
Jesus did not numb out on the cross—He took on the full weight of pain, suffering, and sin for us. In Matthew 27:34, it says, "There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it." This mixture was intended as an analgesic to dull His pain, but Jesus refused it. He bore the suffering fully, demonstrating not only His immense love but also His complete trust in the Father's plan.
Jesus’ refusal to numb out on the cross is a powerful testament to His strength and sacrifice. By taking on all the pain and suffering of humanity, He not only bore our sins but also modeled how to endure life’s trials with full awareness and reliance on God. This moment reminds us of the depth of His love and the hope we have in Him.
Numbing out may feel like a refuge, but it often leads to greater disconnection—from ourselves, others, and God. True freedom comes when we face our struggles head-on, bringing them to the foot of the cross, where Jesus has already triumphed over them.
In your moments of numbness, remember the promises of Scripture. Psalm 34:18 says, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." He understands your pain and longs to draw you closer, offering comfort and peace.
Take small, intentional steps to reconnect. Start by naming your emotions in prayer, just as David did in the Psalms. Seek community with others who can encourage and uplift you in your faith journey. Most importantly, rest in the assurance that you don’t have to navigate this alone. The Holy Spirit is with you, guiding and strengthening you every step of the way.
Let us remember David's heartfelt cry in Psalm 38:21-22:"Do not forsake me, Lord; do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior."
Jesus’ endurance on the cross shows us that we, too, can face life’s challenges without shutting down. Trust in Him, lean on His strength, and know that He is able to carry you through even the deepest valleys.
I hope this study brings you great comfort and clarity on how to get unstuck in your relationship with God.
Love you family, xoxo.
