By Kimberly Novak

I first heard the term “circle back” five or six years ago. I’ll admit that I was not immediately a fan of the phrase, probably because of its overuse. Merriam-Webster lists the term as an idiom, defining it simply as “to return.” It is described as returning to a conversation or discussion later in business. I will confess that I have occasionally used the term as an afterthought. Such as cooking dinner and realizing I never put the laundry in the dryer. Or making the bed and remembering I never had breakfast. 

In both scenarios, I do not fill the space in between; rather, the only thing at the forefront of my mind is circling back to complete whatever I was absent-minded about. Otherwise, I risk forgetting the task at hand. God circles back as well,  but never as an afterthought or forgetfulness;  He plans for all the time in between. 

Now that we know its meaning and use, let’s examine how it relates to spirituality and our relationship with God. I’ve offered some examples and noted scripture references that align with each point.

God circles back by:

• God brings us back to places we may have avoided and blesses us in that exact place, the place of the desert.

• Hosea 2:14 (NASB) – “Therefore, behold, I am going to persuade her, bring her into the wilderness, and speak kindly to her.” 
• God is drawing you back into your desert, not as punishment, but as a place of intimacy and restoration.

• When we feel the Holy Spirit’s nudges in areas of our lives we try to avoid, God calls us to do something we may not be totally on board with. God will keep nudging until we answer that call. We must let go of our fear and allow God to share His vision with us, trusting and knowing that conquering our worries with God is worth it, and we will grow in our relationship with God through acceptance.

•  Joshua 1:9 (NASB) – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
•  God’s Word in this verse reminds us that God is with us in everything we do, even the things that make us fearful. He will never leave us alone in those frightening moments. I have found it helpful to imagine an empty chair where Jesus will sit and accompany you on the fearful journeys.

•  God never lets us go; He keeps returning to us, calling us toward Himself.

• 1 Peter 5:7 (NASB) – “having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you.”
• This verse captures God’s support in everything we do, and it is a wonderful verse to pray when we feel lost and alone.

We circle back in our relationship with God both positively and negatively by:

• By repeatedly confessing the same sin without the intent of repentance, we close ourselves off from bearing good fruit. Instead of repeatedly circling back to the same sin, wait until your heart, mind, and soul are ready for full repentance.

• Matthew 3:8 (NASB) – “Therefore, produce fruit consistent with repentance.”
• This verse from John the Baptist instructs us that repentance is a change in words, actions, and behavior, demonstrating a genuine transformation. Without it, the fruit we bear will not seed and grow.

• We can positively circle back with God by praying without ceasing.  God loves to hear our prayers, even the ones we pray over and over again. 

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB) – “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
• This verse is a good reminder that we need to be happy with God’s will for our lives, and when we are confused or unsure, prayer will help us to get through anything.

• Making promises to God with no intention of seeing them through will eventually bring you into spiritual desolation and take you away from God’s will for your life. Spiritual desolation also opens an opportunity for the devil to make a move, pulling you further away from God.

• James 4:7 (NASB) – “Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
• Praying with this verse can help you to submit to God and, in doing so, resist the devil’s influence.

Even to the faithful, all of this may seem overwhelming, but we all have moments in our lives when prayer falls off our list, connection to God begins to dwindle, and our thirst for Jesus dries up. The good news is that God gives us the option to circle back when we fall out of prayer. God’s invitation for a relationship is open-ended, and you can rest assured that God will circle back to you when you struggle to return to Him. 

God’s love and care for us cannot be measured, and no matter how many times you stray or fall off the prayer wagon, God will come back for you.  It might be in moments that you least expect, maybe the smile of a stranger in a place you hold a special memory. Perhaps, God might find you through a text message from a friend, or even while doing chores.  God’s love is given to us freely; all we have to do is accept it. We surrender our will to God simply by living with open hearts and minds, ready to align with His Holy Spirit.

©️  Kimberly Novak 2025

Edited by Janet Tamez