Discernment engages us in a process leading to a decision for life - for God.
Discernment is about choosing the best way to respond to God’s presence in our lives in a way that will be free and life-giving.
We make honest efforts to respond faithfully in our relationship with God - then we are following “God’s plan” for us.
We listen to what our mind, our heart, and our intuitions tell us. All three “voices from our soul” are part of the final discernment.
We listen and learn to recognize God’s spirit in our lives.
We look at which values and goals are actually involved in our discernment.
We confirm the decision within the context of our actual reality.
Through journaling our experience of prayer. Sacred Scripture - contemplation of Christ in the Gospels.
Openness to whatever God wills, which is given in prayer and is necessary for discernment.
Discernment of God’s will is always accompanied by a good spiritual guide.
Mass and the Eucharist
Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
Sacred Scripture - contemplation of Christ in the Gospels.
Prayer - for guidance of God’s will so that there is freedom from undue influence.
Silence - to hear the “still small voice” in which God speaks to the human heart.
Quiet time and prayer - quiet reflection every day. When we enter silence, our inner self comes to life.
Questions I can ask myself while paying attention to my feelings, taking them to prayer:
What gets my attention? What excites me? What paralyzes me?What prevents me from moving forward?
What prevents me from taking an honest look at reality?
Are my fears justified or are they unfounded?
What.motivates me? Are there any impulses I don’t like?
What ties me down, what constrains me?
Is there anything that could help me become freer?
Do I give in too quickly to my emotions, or too slowly?
Do I tend to overly rationalize or justify situations, talking myself into action or into suppressing something?
Do I pay too much attention to the opinion of other people?
What do I truly desire?
A Retreat - this can provide steps toward clarity in the decision-making process.
Commitment
To commit is to choose to grow in one direction and not in another. Without commitments we allow the possibility for outside forces to move in and shape our lives.
Honest and open dialogue - with family and trusted friends about a vocation quest at the appropriate time.
Trust and faith - the response to our encounter with God.
Exploring Options
Look honestly at all the factors in the picture - why I want to make this choice, how it would affect me, how it would affect others, how it might affect my relationship with God.
When all of the preparation is substantially in place:
How will you know that you have found God's will?
How will you know you have reached clarity?
Carefully observe what way your heart draws you, then choose that way with all your strength. (An old Hasidic saying from Jewish Tradition)
A clear answer brings:
Peace of heart and releases energy for service.
Clarity that enables one to make a choice.
Certitude and peace that leaves one in harmony with oneself.
An attraction of the heart.
Joy in spite of other emotions.
It fulfills a deep wanting - this is the surest index of one has of God’s purpose.
Choosing to do what we most deeply want to do brings peace even if on a more superficial level there may be reasons not to choose it.