Recognizing When God is Doing a Deep Work in You: 3 Signs and How to Respond

Recognizing When God is Doing a Deep Work in You

Have you ever felt like God was doing something deep in your life, but you couldn’t quite explain what was happening? It’s like there’s an unshakable sense of change coming, but the path forward feels unclear. If you’ve ever been there—or if you’re in that place right now—this post is for you.

Not long ago, I shared a quote on Instagram that resonated deeply with many of you:

“When God is doing a deep work, there's a lot you can't explain. There's a knowing, yet no clear plan; an unshakable hope, yet endless tears; gratitude while learning grit. You don’t know what comes next, but you do know that through it all, you're never going to be the same."*

This is what I want to talk about today: those times when God is doing something deep in us that we can’t fully articulate. How do we recognize these seasons? What should we do when we sense them?

Let’s dive into **three ways to recognize when God is doing a deep work** and how we can respond.

How to Recognize When God is Doing a Deep Work in You

1. The Unexplainable Feeling

Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”

Sometimes God asks us to trust Him or move in ways that don’t make sense at first. You may feel compelled to step out in faith—leaving a job, moving across the country, or distancing yourself from negative influences—but it can be hard to explain to others (and even to yourself).

You don’t always get the full picture right away, but that’s where faith comes in. God often asks us to trust Him with the unknown, to walk by faith even when we don’t see the whole plan. If you feel like you’re being called to something but don’t have all the details yet, take heart—God is asking you to trust Him through the process.

2. The Mix of Hope and Tears

There’s something powerful about the combination of hope and tears. When God is doing a deep work, you might feel both hopeful and overwhelmed at the same time. You know God is moving, but the changes you need to make, or the things you need to let go of, bring grief and uncertainty.

It’s like pruning a tree. In John 15:2, Jesus says, *“Every branch that bears fruit, He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”* Pruning hurts, but it’s necessary for growth. Sometimes God asks us to let go of things we’ve held onto for too long—old habits, toxic relationships, even our comfort zones. This brings tears, but also hope for the growth and freedom that’s coming.

3. Gratitude and Grit

Finally, in these deep work seasons, there’s often a mix of gratitude and grit. You’re thankful for what God is doing, but you know it’s going to take strength and endurance to get through it. It’s not easy. Growth rarely is.

Just like physical exercise strengthens our muscles by tearing them first, spiritual growth requires us to push through discomfort. It takes grit to keep going, but there’s always gratitude when you start to see the results—the change you’ve been praying for.

What to Do When You’re in a Season of Deep Spiritual Growth

Here are three practical steps for navigating seasons of deep spiritual work:

1. Surrender Control

You don’t have all the answers—and that’s okay. Surrender your desire to control the outcome. Trust that God knows the full picture, even when you don’t.

2. Stay Hopeful

Even when the pruning hurts, remember that God is doing something for your good. He’s preparing you for the next season, and the blooming will come again. Keep your hope rooted in His faithfulness.

3. Practice Gratitude

In the middle of the hard stuff, focus on what God has already done. It’s impossible to be consumed with worry and gratitude at the same time. Start by thanking Him for the small things, and watch how it shifts your perspective.

If this is you…

If you’re in a season like this, or have been through one, I encourage you to reflect on what God is doing in your life. How has He been faithful in the past? What patterns is He asking you to break? Trust that, even when it’s hard, He’s leading you toward spiritual growth and freedom.

As you go through this process, remember Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” God sees the whole path, even when you can’t. Trust Him, surrender control, and stay hopeful.

If this resonates with you, don’t go through it alone. Join me on this journey as we unpack spiritual growth and learn to trust God through these deep seasons of transformation.

Let’s pray together:

Lord, some seasons of our lives are hard to explain, but we trust that You are good. If someone reading this is in a season where You’re calling them to let go and trust You, give them the strength and faith to do so. Help them not to lean on their own understanding but to trust in Your guidance. Thank You for the work You’re doing in each of our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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