5 Pivotal Ways to Discern the Will of God
Any person who is sincerely following Jesus will eventually ask themselves: “What is God’s will for my life?” This is an incredibly important question to ask because not only is His will the best will … it is the only way.
Unfortunately, many people avoid this question and instead choose their own way of doing things. This, however, leads most well-meaning people on a never-ending hamster wheel of doing the same thing over and over again and never becoming fulfilled or finding their true purpose.
While knowing the will of God is not the same thing as doing it, we must know it to do it. It’s worth noting that before anyone embarks on a mission to discern God’s holy will for their lives, they should be prepared mentally, physically and spiritually to do whatever it is He asks of them. The truth is, what God wills for us will not always be easy. In fact, whatever He has planned for you will most likely be very challenging. But one thing is certain, what God wills for you and your life will always be worth it.
So let’s assume you’re ready to discern the will of God for your life. Wonderful! You’ve decided to embark on one of the most important decisions (and journeys!) of your lifetime. Life is full of choices and thus discerning God’s will is paramount.
While there are several different tactics to use for discernment, here are 5 Pivotal Ways to Discern the Will of God.
*Pro Tip: Before you begin this ultimate discernment process, make sure you are in a state of sanctifying grace. When we are not in a state of grace, our discernment can become foggy and prayers much less effective.
5 Pivotal Ways to Discern God’s Will
First, Pray.
We read throughout Holy Scripture, in various ways and in different parts, that we are to pray without ceasing. Well, we are to especially pray when we are trying to discern God’s will.
When you pray and ask God to show you His will, pray also that He make it clear to you. Clarity is a good thing to have because, let’s be honest, we need it! If you are wrestling with something specific, pray precisely for what you need. As stated, clarity is important and it is also effective. While praying, moreover, don’t forget to pray for those who are a part of your decision, i.e. a (potential) spouse, friend, or family member. Pray to God for whatever it is you want or need and then pray for His will to be done. One of the most powerful conclusions to any prayer is “Thy will be done.”
Something else worth mentioning here: As you begin discerning God’s will for your life, it is wise to spend extra time praying before and after Mass as well as in an extra hour of adoration from time to time. The sheer power of this discipline cannot be overstated. These two places in particular, Mass and Adoration, are both incredibly powerful times to have your prayers heard on High.
Second, think of your talents.
God wants you to use the gifts and talents (your spiritual charisms!) He’s endowed you with in order to help discern His will. Take some time to think about what your strengths are and how they could work in the larger picture of life. What natural talents have you been given? Are you happy when doing them? Do you find peace when acting them out? Whatever those things are, ask yourself how you could incorporate them into your life.
When you work with your God-given gifts and talents, you give glory to God because it is His handiwork on display for the world to see. And not only do you and others get to enjoy these gifts, but God does too. Through the work of your hands, your obedience to Him in using what He’s given you for His glory, God gently guides you closer to Himself.
Third, ask others.
Oftentimes when we pray, we ask God for what we need. But we can also ask those people closest to us. If you have certain faith-filled family members or friends who know your strengths and weaknesses, they may be able to help discern God’s plan for your life. More than likely, they’ll be able to see things you cannot and thus offer wise counsel. That being said, make sure the people you ask for assistance from are God-fearing and trustworthy confidants. Seeking wise counsel from the unwise, or those who are not believers in Christ, can unknowingly lead you down a path contrary to the will of God.
Fourth, trust.
God wants you to seek, knock, and keep on knocking in order to discern His will. In order to do this, you will have to trust Him. If you strive to do His will, seeking His face in all you do, He will show you the way. But faith and trust will become crucial. God will never abandon you or lead you astray. To the contrary, He waits with open arms to show you His will. But the evil one who lurks around to no avail will try to distract and confuse, leading anyone who will listen farther from the will of God. In order to combat this, you must stay close to Him in faith and unwavering trust – trusting that He will always keep you on the right path. Pray that He open all the right doors and close all the wrong ones, and then trust whatever He shows you.
Fifth, unplug.
In order to hear God’s voice (which is often a gentle whisper in the soul) during the discernment process, you will need to escape the many distractions and noises of the world. Take some time each day to completely unplug from computers, phones, television, people, and the like. Find a place of complete solitude to pray in silence and meditate on God’s Word. As you give up something for Him, even if only distractions, placing Him first and seeking His face, rest assured that He will show up for you. And when He does, He has already promised to fulfill His part.
Happy discerning! God is with you.
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