Luk 5:5
5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

Here you are, having tried everything in your power to fix your situation, without apparent success. You are tired of trying, discouraged to the point of depression, and questioning everything you ever thought you knew about you, your situation, and God. You are worried about what tomorrow will bring since you weren’t able to fix things today.

Then God says, “Try again.”

“Really?”, you say incredulously. “Have You not seen what I have just gone through? I have done everything I know how to do. My body is exhausted from toiling, my mind is empty from analyzing all the angles, my head hurts, and my spirit is depleted. You want me to do what?”

“Try again. There is a difference now. This time I will be with you. ”

You just stare at Him. “What can trying one more time accomplish?”, you think to yourself. But then you stop thinking and questioning and just look into the eyes of the One who has spoken the command. He has an authority about Him that seems to transcend knowledge. Maybe, just maybe, this time will be different.

The other times you have tried to do things your way and in your own timing. You didn’t do it in response to His Word to you. But He has spoken that now is the time. The question is will you believe Him now and try again?

“Yes, Lord, I will try again.”

Luk 5:6
6 And when they had done this, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes; and their nets were breaking;

You stand in awe of what He has done for you this time. This was not the answer to your prayer – it goes far and above what you had hoped and imagined. Your portion is pressed down and running over.

Luk 5:8
8 But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus ‘knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

You look toward Jesus, but can’t look Him in the eye. All you can think of is your own questioning faith and how you blamed Him before for not blessing your efforts, instead of waiting for His Word for you to obey.

But Jesus knows your thoughts, and tells you not to fear, but invites you to follow Him, to go where He goes and do as He does. He calls you to walk alongside him and minister to others. He uses you faith and obedience to change the lives of others – all because you were willing to try again.

Penny Haynes
http://ChristianWomenWithDepression.com