Repent

A third step in the process of restoration is repentance. Repentance means turning from sin to God with a change of mind. This eventually results in a change of conduct and attitude as well.

All too often, we do things in the reverse order. We have a sense that we must first change our behavior before we can change our minds. We have the mistaken idea that it is up to us to stop whatever sin has us in bondage.

Once our minds change, our actions will soon follow. But the best news of all is that we are not alone. God is there to help, guide, encourage, and strengthen us throughout the entire process.

Restore Relationships

Next, you need to repair your relationships with people you may have wronged. In other words, you must attempt to restore any relationships that have been affected by your sin.

Maybe this restitution is accomplished by asking the person you’ve offended for forgiveness. Maybe it’s returning something you’ve stolen. Or maybe it’s something you can't make restitution for. In this latter case, you have only one option: ask for God's forgiveness, forgive yourself, and let go of the guilt.

In the process of restoring right relations with those you’ve wronged you will also move toward restoring right relations with God through obedience to his commands.

Learn the Lesson

The fifth stage in restoration is to receive the message God wants to teach you through your failure. You may not want to hear what God is telling you, and you may be resistant or reluctant to learn this lesson, but you must learn it nonetheless.

The only time that failure is unprofitable is when we refuse to learn from the experience. If we learn and grow, we have not failed. We have, instead, taken the opportunity to learn more about ourselves and about God.

Be Thankful

The final step is to respond to God’s chastisement with gratitude.

What? Be thankful for chastisement? Definitely!Just as it is difficult for children to be thankful when a parent scolds them, it is often difficult for us to be thankful for God’s discipline in our lives. The real fruit of the experience comes years later when, like the child, we look back in gratitude to our parent for loving us enough to teach us important lessons—even if those lessons had to be learned the hard way.

What's Next?

Restoration isn’t an easy process. It’s for people who are serious about their relationship with God, and who are committed to living the life he has called them to. So now that you have "refocused" your life, it is important for you to establish a solid spiritual foundation. Do not let Satan sidetrack you during this time when you are just getting back on course.

If you’re serious about getting your life back on track, find a church if you do not already have a church home. Begin your own prayer and Bible study times each day. If you are faithful to spend daily time with God, He will use that time to speak to you and guide you in life, and it will be your sole defense against future spiritual attacks.

Don’t waste a minute ignoring God, running from him, or allowing unconfessed sin to keep you from enjoying full fellowship. Face your sin, confess it and move on. God has done everything he can do to provide you with barrier-free access. Now all you have to do is accept Him. He’s ready. Are you?

Since you desire to reestablish your relationship with God and to renew your spiritual focus, why not begin by talking to God and telling Him just that? Below is an example of a simple prayer that will give you an idea of what you can say when you talk to God.

"God, I want to thank you for sending your Son to die on the cross. Thank you for saving my soul. I confess that I have been wandering away from your will and your plan for my life, and I want to ask for your forgiveness. I want to refocus my life on You, and to recommit myself to you. Though I have already placed my trust in Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead as payment for my sin, I now want to reaffirm that commitment. Thank you for your forgiveness and for giving me your Holy Spirit. In Jesus name I pray, Amen"