Spiritual Reflection: Trusting God's Process
Before God tells you, "Try again. Cast the net one more time." He'll say something else, "Go deeper."
The Story Behind “Before God Says Try Again, He Says Go Deeper”
Some words have a way of cutting through the noise, reaching us at just the right moment. In a recent sermon titled, "Safety Nets," I shared a phrase that seemed to resonate deeply: “Before God says try again, He says go deeper.” It wasn’t planned, but like most moments of truth, it felt undeniably necessary.
It’s easy to think of trying again as a surface-level reset: pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get back to it. But what if God isn’t asking for repetition, but transformation? What if He’s not simply saying to try again in the same way, but inviting you into a deeper understanding of the process, of yourself, and ultimately of Him?
This phrase reflects a truth that often feels uncomfortable. Trying again without depth can feel like spinning wheels in the mud—exhausting and directionless. But going deeper? That’s where the real work happens.
The Metaphor of the Safety Net
In "Safety Nets, I spoke about the moments when we’re asked to let go of what feels secure. A safety net is designed to catch you, to reassure you as you take risks. But there are times in life when God asks us to step beyond the net, into deeper waters where there’s nothing to catch us but His grace.
When we feel like we’ve failed, our instinct is to return to what we know. To try again, often in the exact same way, hoping for a different outcome. But God often disrupts that pattern. Instead of asking us to repeat what didn’t work, He says, “Go deeper.” Go deeper into the why. Go deeper into trust. Go deeper into the lessons this season is meant to teach.
Why Depth Precedes a Second Chance
The story of Simon Peter fishing all night without catching a single fish comes to mind. When Jesus told Peter to let down his nets again, it wasn’t just a command to repeat the same actions. Jesus told him to go out into the deep water. It was an invitation to trust more, to act in faith, and to believe that the results were no longer dependent solely on his effort, but on God’s provision.
Before God asks us to try again, He often positions us in a way that demands deeper reflection and greater faith. This can be frustrating. We want immediate answers, clear instructions, and fast results. But depth requires us to slow down, to wrestle with discomfort, and to trust the unseen.
What It Means to Go Deeper
Going deeper isn’t about working harder or doing more. It’s about aligning yourself with God’s perspective. It’s about examining your motives, stripping away distractions, and making space for His voice to guide you. It’s the difference between striving and abiding.
In my own life, there have been moments where I felt stuck—trying the same thing repeatedly, growing increasingly frustrated. It wasn’t until I stopped to ask, “What is God teaching me here? What needs to change in me before I can move forward?” that the breakthrough came.
Depth is where the foundation is laid. It’s where resilience is built. It’s where you discover that success isn’t about perfection, but about obedience.
A Practical Challenge for Spiritual Transformation
If you’re in a season where you feel like you’ve been trying and failing, take a moment to pause. Instead of asking, “What can I do differently?” ask, “What does God want me to see in this?”
Here are a few practical steps to go deeper:
- Reflect Honestly: Write down what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how you’ve responded emotionally and spiritually.
- Seek God’s Guidance: Spend intentional time in prayer or scripture, asking for clarity about your next steps.
- Adjust Your Perspective: Look at the situation from a kingdom mindset. How might this experience be shaping your character or refining your purpose?
- Trust the Process: Depth takes time. Don’t rush the lessons God is teaching you.
Depth Before Redemption
The beauty of going deeper is that it prepares you for redemption. Just as Peter’s nets came up overflowing with fish after he obeyed Jesus’ call to go deeper, our obedience often leads to abundance. But it’s not the abundance of material things or instant success—it’s the abundance of peace, wisdom, and the assurance that we are aligned with God’s will.
When God says, “Go deeper,” He’s not dismissing your efforts. He’s honoring your potential.
He’s inviting you to leave behind surface solutions and to trust Him with the depths of your heart, your dreams, and your calling.
A Hopeful Reminder
“Before God says try again, He says go deeper.” It’s a call to trust Him more fully, to lean into His wisdom rather than our understanding, and to prepare for the kind of transformation that can only happen when we step beyond what feels comfortable.
So, before you pick yourself up and try again, pause. Go deeper. The answers, the growth, and the promise of what’s to come are waiting for you there.