For almost nine years, I created a gap between God and me. My faith was still there, but it was tired. I didn’t challenge my doubts or dig deeper into what I believed. Sure, I saw glimpses of Him in the world, but often I wasn’t really looking. Meanwhile, my personal connection with Him had all but faded.

Looking back, I know why. I was chasing pleasure, drowning in busyness, and filling every corner of my life with distractions. Prayer, fellowship, and reflection? Those barely made the list. Instead, I leaned on habits that promised relief but only left me feeling emptier.

If this hits close to home, you’re not alone. The story of the Prodigal Son is proof that this struggle isn’t new. Maybe you’ve been there—wandering, weary, and unsure how to find your way back. But God has a way of calling us home, sometimes through whispers and sometimes with a shout.

For me, it was a mix of both. His call wasn’t always what I wanted, and it often came through painful lessons. But it was always exactly what I needed. Drawing from my own experiences and Bible verses, I’ll share five signs that God is bringing you back to Him.

1. You’re in A Season of Loneliness

You might be experiencing isolation. Perhaps you feel like you don’t fit in with your friends anymore. This could be a sign that God may be wanting to work with you. This was one way that God called me back to Him.

I felt deeply lonely last fall. Many of my relationships were cut off, and I found myself looking for friendships in all the wrong places. But I would keep trying despite feeling like an outsider. It seemed that the more I tried, the more I wanted to withdraw. And as I withdrew, I became more isolated.

If you’re in a season of loneliness, I recommend reading the Bible and praying. Psalm 34:18 (NIV) says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” This is a great verse to memorize and recite in prayer.

2. He Puts People of Faith your Life

The loneliness ultimately led me to try out churches. I’ll be honest, I’ve had a hard time with Church since I graduated from college. I won’t explain everything now. I’ll just say that making connections has been challenging for me.

But seeking out a church community was one of the best things I did. God was faithful. I met another lady who was part of a Bible study at the local church. She asked me to join. We studied Genesis, and it was unlike any study I’d done before. We delved deep into the text. We considered timelines and Hebrew syntax. We discovered how the beginnings actually align with science instead of refuting it.

A group of women prayed with me and for me. Their prayers encouraged me to study my Bible more. I worked harder to have an answer for my faith. Along the way, I met people who were truly living their lives as followers of Christ. People I still admire. This was a blessing and encouragement to me.

If you’re not already, I strongly encourage you to find a church home. It can strengthen your faith and introduce you to lifelong friends. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.” These words remind us of the importance of Christian fellowship.

3. You’ve Hit Rock Bottom

It was through those new connections that I began to feel God’s presence more clearly, but even so, I wasn’t fully committed to following Him yet. Sometimes, God has to let us hit rock bottom to grab our attention—and that’s exactly what happened next.

Living apart from God might feel liberating at first, but eventually, the weight of that life catches up to you. For me, it was a series of small rock-bottom moments between summer and Christmas last year. Each time I tried to find joy or peace through old habits, I came up empty. Worse, those habits left me feeling more broken than before.

I remember one particular night when I realized how lost I’d become. I was in public, but I was sitting by myself. Fear, sadness, and shame all swirled together. I felt trapped—too far gone to fully embrace my old life, but too scared to surrender completely to Christ. I began to cry.

It reminded me of Jonah, running from God’s call only to find himself in the belly of a fish. Jonah 2:7-9 captures his turning point: “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”

Like Jonah, my lowest moments became a turning point. Through those painful experiences, God peeled back the layers of my pride and self-reliance, showing me how desperately I needed Him. It wasn’t easy or pleasant, but it was necessary. Rock bottom may feel like the end, but with God, it’s often the beginning of something new.

If you’re in a similar place, remember this: God meets us in our brokenness. His grace is sufficient, even when we’ve reached the bottom. Surrendering to Him is the first step toward healing and hope.

4. You are Grieving Your Past Sins

Grief over past sins can feel heavy and unshakable, like a shadow you can’t outrun. But what I’ve come to learn is that this grief—though painful—is often God’s way of stirring our hearts toward repentance and healing. It’s His invitation to let go of shame and fully embrace His forgiveness.

Last year, as I started to turn back toward God, I was overwhelmed by guilt. Memories of the choices I’d made and the people I’d hurt played on a loop in my mind. What troubled me most was how I had lost (and, at times, even completely destroyed) opportunities to demonstrate Christ to others as a Christian. I was ashamed of ways I had acted and was truly sorrowful over the fact that I had potentially led others away from Christianity because of my behavior.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had strayed too far, done too much wrong, and disappointed Him too deeply. I carried that weight into my prayers, unsure how God would respond or if I’d feel this shame forever. Nonetheless, I prayed and, with tears in my eyes, confessed my sins.

Right after the moment of confession, I felt the presence of Jesus like I had never experienced it before. I specifically recall lying down on my side to pray this prayer, and then suddenly, I felt a warmth envelope me, a hug, and a sense of love, reassurance, and forgiveness. It was so peaceful I can’t even put words to it…like the peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7). It was as if I were floating, and I never wanted it to end.

I was filled with fear and humility when I confessed to God. Afterward, I remembered 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” He was beyond faithful to me at that moment. I never expected to feel His presence so deeply after that prayer. But I’m so thankful that I did. It’s something I’ll always long for.

Grieving past sins is uncomfortable, but it’s also transformational. It brings us face-to-face with our need for a Savior and helps us understand the depth of God’s mercy. If you’re in a season of grieving your sins, don’t let that grief paralyze you. Let it push you toward God. As Psalm 103:12 reminds us: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

God doesn’t want us to carry the weight of our past mistakes forever. He offers us a fresh start—a chance to move forward in freedom and grace. All we have to do is accept it.

Looking back on my journey, I see how God was always there, patiently calling me back to Him—even when I was too distracted, stubborn, or broken to notice. Through seasons of loneliness, the gift of godly relationships, hitting rock bottom, and grieving my sins, He worked in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. Each experience, though painful at times, was a step toward rediscovering His love and grace.

If you’re feeling distant from God, know this: you’re not too far gone. Whether through whispers or shouts, He is always calling us home. His grace is big enough to cover our sins, His love is strong enough to heal our hurts, and His presence is near enough to guide us back to Him.

Take a moment today to reflect, pray, and seek Him. You don’t have to have everything figured out—just take the first step. God is ready and waiting, arms open wide. As James 4:8 reminds us: “Come near to God, and He will come near to you.” The journey back is never easy, but it is always worth it.

Have you been, or are you going through a time of Prodigal behavior? What are some ways you’ve seen God call you back to a relationship with Him? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!