Have you ever wished you could hit the reset button on your faith?
Maybe you’ve been a Christian for years, but somewhere along the way you drifted. Life got busy, prayers felt empty, and before you knew it, your Bible sat untouched on the shelf.
Or maybe you tried following Jesus before but got discouraged and gave up. You wonder, “Does God really want me back after all the mistakes I’ve made?”
If that’s you, I want to tell you something: you’re not alone — and yes, you can start over with Jesus today.
1. Remember, God Is Always Waiting for You
Think about the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). The son wasted everything, made a mess of his life, and came crawling back home expecting to be rejected. But what did the father do? He ran to meet him with open arms.
That’s how God feels about you. He’s not sitting there with crossed arms, shaking His head. He’s ready to welcome you back.
Real life example: I remember a friend who stopped going to church for years because she felt too guilty. When she finally prayed, “God, I want to come back, but I don’t know how,” she said it felt like a weight lifted instantly. She realized God hadn’t gone anywhere — He was waiting the whole time.
2. Start Small, Not Perfect
Many of us think we need to “get our act together” before we can follow Jesus again. But starting over doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly tomorrow.
It could look like:
- Saying a 2-minute prayer in the car before work.
- Reading one Psalm before bed.
- Writing down one thing you’re thankful for each morning.
Don’t underestimate those small steps. They build momentum and open your heart back up to God.
3. Find Community Again
Starting over with Jesus is hard if you try to do it all alone. We were made for community.
This might mean going back to a church you left, or trying a new one where you feel welcomed. It might mean texting a Christian friend and asking, “Can we pray together this week?”
When I restarted my faith journey years ago, the turning point was attending a small church where my in laws attended. I didn’t even talk much at first — I just listened. But over time, those friendships pulled me out of isolation and helped me grow again. And almost 20 years later, I use my God-given talents to share with you and others about God’s love and grace.
4. Let Go of Shame
One of the biggest obstacles in starting fresh with Jesus is shame. We replay our mistakes, failures, and sins on a loop in our minds.
But here’s the truth: Jesus already paid for all of it.
When He died on the cross, He knew every mistake you’d ever make. And He chose you anyway.
Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Starting over doesn’t mean God is disappointed in you. It means He’s rejoicing that you’re coming home.
5. Take One Next Step Today
You don’t need to wait until Sunday. You don’t need to figure everything out. You can start fresh right now.
- Whisper a prayer: “Lord, I want to start over. Please draw me close again.”
- Open your Bible to the Gospel of John and read the first chapter.
- Tell a trusted friend, “I want to take my faith seriously again.”
One small step today opens the door to a new chapter in your walk with Jesus.
*Free Resource for You 🙂
I created something to help: “5 Steps to Starting Fresh with Jesus.”
It’s a simple, practical checklist that walks you through how to restart your faith in a way that feels doable — not overwhelming.
-> Download it here <-
Because starting over isn’t about being perfect. It’s about taking one step closer to Jesus, right where you are.
Amen, Wanda
