I Can Try Again

12–15 minutes

Center · Stillness

Settle in

Put the phone down. Take one slow breath, and say: “God, I am here. Speak, I am listening.”

Read · The passage

Scripture

The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand.

Psalm 37:23-24, BSB

Learn · Reflection

Reflection

All of us have moments when something does not go well and we feel like giving up. Making a mistake does not mean you are not capable. Very often, growth happens exactly when you decide to try again, with more learning, more patience and more courage after a hard moment. Daniel spent days practicing for an important presentation at school. He had studied a lot and wanted to get everything right. But when the time came to stand in front of the class, he got nervous and forgot part of what he had prepared.

Afterward he felt very embarrassed. For the rest of the day he kept going over what had gone wrong. When he got home, he said: “I don't want to try again.”

His mom listened to him calmly, and then reminded him of something important: “One bad moment does not define everything you are able to do.”

In time, Daniel decided to go back to practicing. The next time he still felt nervous, but he no longer let the fear stop him completely.

Sometimes, after we make a mistake, we feel like giving up so we never have to feel frustration or embarrassment again. But growing also means learning to get back up and try one more time. Not every process starts out perfectly.

God does not expect instant perfection. He also teaches us to keep going even after our mistakes.

Talk · Conversation

Talk about it

What is the thing that did not go well that you are afraid to try again?

Thank · Gratitude

Give thanks

Today I thank God for holding my hand when I stumble and not leaving me down.

Ask · Prayer

Pray together

God, one bad moment does not define everything I am able to do. Give me courage to try again, even with the nerves still here.

Begin · Application

Carry it into the day

Today I will practice again the thing I got wrong last time, even if only for five minutes.

Scripture quoted from the Berean Standard Bible. Public domain (CC0)