Planted, Not Buried: Growing in the Silent Seasons

There are seasons in life where everything feels still—quiet, even painfully so. It can feel like nothing is happening, like dreams are fading, and prayers are being ignored. But don’t confuse silence with absence. Don’t mistake stillness for stagnation. You are not buried… you are planted.

In the soil, a seed looks lifeless. It is hidden from view, covered by darkness, and disconnected from the light it once knew. But beneath that surface, a transformation is happening. Slowly. Quietly. With purpose.

The Silent Test

Ever notice how the teacher is quiet during the test? That silence isn’t punishment, it’s an invitation to apply what you’ve already learned. In our spiritual and emotional lives, there are “test seasons” where we don’t feel divine direction, where clarity doesn’t come easily, and where reassurance feels distant. But this silence doesn’t mean you’re alone. It’s part of your growth. It’s where you learn to reflect, not react… and then determine whether a response is even needed at all.

Reframing the Dirt

The dirt covering you isn’t meant to suffocate, it’s meant to anchor. Reframe your thinking: What feels like pressure could actually be protection. What feels like delay might be development. What you interpret as rejection may be redirection. A growth mindset asks, “What else could this mean?” It looks for joy even in discomfort. It practices self-attunement, noticing your needs, your triggers, and your tendencies and gently correcting course with compassion.

Growth Doesn’t Always Announce Itself

Everything doesn’t need to be posted, preached, or proclaimed. Some of your most profound transformations will happen in secret. Let them. Be slow to speak. Observe. Learn. Listen not just for what’s being said, but for what’s unspoken. Growth is often subtle. Just like my dog doesn’t need to say words to express safety, love, or trust neither do we. Communication goes deeper than language.

Nourishment You Didn’t Know You Needed

There are spiritual nutrients soaking into your soul in these silent seasons. You may not be able to name them, but you will feel the strength they bring. Peace in chaos. Hope in waiting. Wisdom in reflection. These are gifts you don’t always realize are being delivered, but they are. Don’t take them for granted. Tap into your Source, God’s presence, God’s whisper. Trust the process. He’s not wasting anything.

Choose Joy, Even Here

Joy is not a reward for reaching the mountaintop. It’s a choice you can make at the bottom of the valley, in the middle of the unknown. In your planted season, choose joy. Choose a positive perspective, not in toxic optimism, but in resilient faith. There’s a difference.

When you feel buried, look for the blessings. Trust that what is growing in you is necessary, not just for you but for what’s coming next. Show yourself love and grace. Show it to others, too. We are all in different stages of growth.

So if you’re in a quiet season, take heart: You are not forgotten. You are not stuck. You are not buried.

You are planted.

Let it grow. 🌱

Sensai