At some point in life, God’s light touches us in a special way. Whether after years away, during a painful experience, or even amid our daily routine, we feel our hearts burning with the desire to return to God. But where to begin? For many, the question goes even deeper: “How do I start over in faith?”
This question carries stories of falls, struggles, disappointments — with others and with ourselves. But it also reveals a spark of hope: the certainty that God never gives up on us.
Falling doesn’t define us. Getting up does.
Everyone falls. It’s not weakness — it’s part of being human. Scripture reminds us: “The just man falls seven times and rises again” (Proverbs 24:16).
Who hasn’t felt distant from God at some point — when prayer weakens, Confession is left behind, and attending Mass becomes less frequent?
The good news is: God never tires of waiting for us. Like in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), the Father always stands with arms open, waiting for His child to come home — even dirty, wounded, and after everything.
The prodigal son fell hard. He left his father, wasted everything, and ended up among pigs. But one single step toward home, and the father ran to meet him.
That is the heart of God — ready to forgive, ready to embrace.
The Path to Starting Over: Confession, Prayer, and Perseverance
Starting again in faith involves three essential attitudes:
- Seeking the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)
- Returning to a life of prayer
- Nurturing the soul through good spiritual readings and participating in the Mass
1. Confession: Meeting Grace Again
The Catechism teaches: “Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against Him and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church” (CCC 1422).
Confession is truly a divine embrace. Through it, the soul, once burdened, can breathe again.
We begin anew with lightness, with grace, with renewed strength.
2. Prayer: Food for the Soul
To pray is to speak with God, to open your heart and allow Him to shape you from within.
Start small: a Our Father in the morning, a Psalm at night. Over time, you’ll desire to spend more time with Him — maybe even take up some uplifting Catholic reading that draws you closer to the Lord.
As Saint Teresa of Ávila beautifully put it: “Prayer is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us.”
3. Protection Against Falls: Guarding the Eyes and Heart
“If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away” (Matthew 5:29).
In other words: be firm with anything that leads you to sin.
If there’s a habit, a friendship, a place, or a type of content pulling you away from God — walk away.
It’s not always easy. But sometimes, remaining faithful requires cutting off harmful influences to protect your soul and your relationship with the Lord.
If certain social media, shows, or environments are weakening your faith, it’s time to cut them off.
That includes websites, music with degrading lyrics, and friendships that pull you away from God.
You know that bucket of crabs? When one tries to escape, the others pull it back. Some friendships are like that: the moment you try to change, a “crab-friend” tries to drag you back to your old ways.
Be careful. If you truly want to start again with God, you can’t stay in the same place with the same inputs and expect a different outcome.
God doesn’t want half of your heart. He wants all of it.
You Are Not Alone
Maybe you’re going through anxiety, fear about the future, emptiness, or spiritual confusion. Maybe it’s deep sadness or the weight of routine.
God knows your heart. Even if you see no way out, He does.
You’re not the only one. The saints struggled too. Many lived through dark nights, persecutions, temptations, and falls. But with God’s grace, they overcame.
And so can you.
Talk to the Lord. Tell Him what you’re going through. Ask for strength — you will find the courage to keep going.
Start Again Today
“To start again” isn’t just a pretty phrase. It’s a concrete decision. It means seeking what was lost, rising from the fall, returning to what was left behind.
Even if you need to start over several times a day, do it with humility, trust, and a sincere will to change.
Try again — wanting to grow. Because the time will come when your consistency will bear fruit.
The Lord sees your efforts and will bless you. Little by little, you’ll grow stronger and more faithful.
God never gets tired of you. On the contrary: every time you begin again, there’s a celebration in Heaven.
As Saint Thérèse of Lisieux said: “Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will, and being just what God wants us to be.”
Say it to Him sincerely: “Lord, this time, I mean it.” And even if you fall again, get back up once more — but don’t grow complacent. We are living in the time of mercy — a precious opportunity, limited to this life.
Afterwards will come the time of God’s justice.
So don’t postpone your conversion. Start again — with seriousness, because God desires your salvation.
If this post spoke to you, don’t wait. Start again today. Take the first step with a sincere prayer.
God is waiting for you.
Last revised on: May 13, 2025.