Sometimes it feels like you’re always beginning again.
You make progress. You find rhythm. You feel settled. Then, something shifts. A routine ends. A friendship changes. A plan falls through. The ground moves beneath your feet. Suddenly, you’re back at square one, trying to figure out what’s next.
It’s frustrating, isn’t it? You thought you were past this part. You thought you were further along.
I feel that way every time I return to the gym after missing a week. Sometimes, it’s been two or three weeks. The first run feels heavier than I expect. The cycling class I once kept up with now leaves me out of breath halfway through. My legs ache. My lungs burn. I wonder if it should be easier by now.
But when I’m gasping and pushing through, I realize this: the very act of starting again is how growth happens. Each return is not evidence of failure, but proof that I am still moving forward.
This is true beyond the gym. Consider the story of the Israelites, who, after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, had to start fresh as they entered the Promised Land. Maybe faith is found in the willingness to start fresh, again and again, even when it’s hard.
Scripture is full of restarts.
Noah steps off the ark onto new ground.
The Israelites wander the wilderness again.
Peter denies Jesus, then becomes the rock on which the Church is built.
And every morning, Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us, God's mercies are new again.
So perhaps God is not disappointed in our many restarts.
Maybe He delights in the fact that we keep starting.
We often think grace means we won’t have to circle back.
But maybe grace means we can.
Every time you start again, whether it’s after disappointment, a quiet season, or a mistake, you’re not erasing your story. You’re adding to it. Each restart brings wisdom, humility, and a gentleness you didn’t have before.
Sometimes “starting over” isn’t failure. It’s resurrection.
It’s the Spirit whispering, You’re not done yet.
If you’re in that space right now, in the middle of change and feeling the ache of starting over, be gentle with yourself.
You don’t have to rush to prove you’re okay.
You don’t have to have a five-year plan.
You just have to take the next faithful step. This might mean setting aside a few minutes each morning for prayer or meditation, allowing yourself a moment to reflect and seek guidance. Alternatively, it could involve reaching out to a friend or mentor for support or jotting down your thoughts and goals in a journal to bring clarity and focus to your journey.
Because God doesn’t meet us at the finish line.
He meets us every time you dare to begin again, inviting you forward with each new start. Consider sharing your journey with others, as there is strength in community. Opening up about your restarts can foster connection and support. Your faith community, friends, or family can provide encouragement and inspire you to keep moving forward.