Discerning God's voice--looking for spiritual advice

[Joysong]

Standing on a bridge one day while watching the water, I heard the words “Do not swim against the current.” Later I found these same words in Scripture (I think it was Proverbs). God speaks in ways that are always unexpected and often phrased differently than my normal thoughts.

I had to wonder if this was similar to Our Lord’s words to St. Paul, “Do not kick against the goad!”

And you are so right that God’s ways of speaking to us are much different from our normal thoughts. It is good to find agreement in this, so that others can learn.

 

[leonie]

From my own -beginners level - personal experience discerning God’s voice had several steps:

(1) Its always happened in prayer - deep mental prayer
(2) Feeling of great peace & joy
(3) Almost a “surprise” at the thought - so insightful, so simple, so loving - that it could not come from my anxious mind
(4) It is always in conformity with Church teachings & my spiritual directors advice.
(5) I receive the grace to follow-thru
(6) It bears good fruit for his Kingdom and not my own glory.

But again, I haven’t had any major “revelations” such as sell your house and go be a missionary in Africa or something like that, but simple things like a calling to serve Him in my own small way in a ministry or in my home.

Hope this helps,

That was my exact experience!!! Of course, I don’t have a spiritual director. Maybe I’ll bring it up to my confessor.

 

[GGirl]

Well, this may be a different look.

I agree that God speaks to us in many different ways: Scripture, the Mass, people we encounter, our blessings, our crosses, etc.

But, I’m also not sure what you mean by a simple life that is devoid of anxiety and that you withhold doing things because of anxiety.

God tells us to trust Him. We are called to look beyond material and unto the spiritual. We are called to serve Him. And we are called to live our best life according to His Will. We are told, He will never leave us. We are told, in the end, we will be saved by His mercy and grace.

When you say you avoid to experience the simple, what exactly are you avoiding? And, how does that create anxiety?

Giving up something because you choose to to enhance your connection with God, that is one thing. But if you are avoiding opportunities because you are experiencing anxiety or fear and using God as a cover, that is another.

In the first example, you are honoring God. In the second, you are playing into your fears and assuming for your own purposes and justification, you are pleasing God.

There is nothing wrong when you enjoy the goodness of the earth and God’s blessings. God wants us to enjoy His bounty. Wealthy people do go to Heaven. It just depends on how they used their wealth.

When His bounty becomes the end all, be all, that is were problems occur.

Just thought I would present a different view…I have not read all the posts but this is something to consider.

 

[leonie]

Well, this may be a different look.

I agree that God speaks to us in many different ways: Scripture, the Mass, people we encounter, our blessings, our crosses, etc.

But, I’m also not sure what you mean by a simple life that is devoid of anxiety and that you withhold doing things because of anxiety.

When you say you avoid to experience the simple, what exactly are you avoiding? And, how does that create anxiety?

Giving up something because you choose to to enhance your connection with God, that is one thing. But if you are avoiding opportunities because you are experiencing anxiety or fear and using God as a cover, that is another.

In the first example, you are honoring God. In the second, you are playing into your fears and assuming for your own purposes and justification, you are pleasing God.

.

I understand exactly what you mean, Ggirl. You are making a really good point.

I think my conversation with God was revolving around my frustration with my struggle to overcome anxiety. Anxiety is a painful cross. I believe it is a genetic trait I’ve inherited. My mom, sister, and brother all struggle with anxiety. And, I have a son who has social anxiety.

It’s hard to see it as a blessing. And, I think Jesus was telling me that the anxiety I deal is a gift to me.

Anxiety has in the past impeded me from fulfilling my duties. In my early adulthood, I had trouble even making phone calls to take care of pretty typical stuff–like making a doctor appointment. Over the years, I’ve developed techniques to help me function even when I am overcome by anxiety.

If I am surrendering to anxiety to the point that I am not in God’s Will or that I am not in a state of interior peace, then I agree that I am in a sinful state. You are absolutely right.

But, like any predisposition of character, I need to know my limitations and accommodate them. So I don’t take on some situations that overwhelm me.

You are right though, I need to be careful not to use it as an excuse not to do my duties or to strive for interior peace and joy.

Thanks for the gentle rebuke! It’s so easy to become complacent.

 

[GGirl]

I understand exactly what you mean, Ggirl. You are making a really good point.

I think my conversation with God was revolving around my frustration with my struggle to overcome anxiety. Anxiety is a painful cross. I believe it is a genetic trait I’ve inherited. My mom, sister, and brother all struggle with anxiety. And, I have a son who has social anxiety.

It’s hard to see it as a blessing. And, I think Jesus was telling me that the anxiety I deal is a gift to me.

Anxiety has in the past impeded me from fulfilling my duties. In my early adulthood, I had trouble even making phone calls to take care of pretty typical stuff–like making a doctor appointment. Over the years, I’ve developed techniques to help me function even when I am overcome by anxiety.

If I am surrendering to anxiety to the point that I am not in God’s Will or that I am not in a state of interior peace, then I agree that I am in a sinful state. You are absolutely right.

But, like any predisposition of character, I need to know my limitations and accommodate them. So I don’t take on some situations that overwhelm me.

You are right though, I need to be careful not to use it as an excuse not to do my duties or to strive for interior peace and joy.

Thanks for the gentle rebuke! It’s so easy to become complacent.

Wait a minute…having anxiety is not sinful. Not trusting God enough, is not sinful.

At times, this world is a very, very scarey place. Anxiety CAN be used to warn us of impending danger. We don’t want to, and can’t, and shouldn’t, and are not expected to alleviate all of it.

Overwhelming anxiety can be treated medically. There is no reason to live your life in terror.

That being said, trusting God and finding inner peace is a lifelong journey filled with many stumbles and falls. What is important is that you continue on your journey, bruises and all.

“protect us from all anxiety” really means that no matter what happens to us, if we live according to God’s will and law, including doing good works, we will receive the gift of Salvation.

This does not REQUIRE a sack cloth and eating bugs in the desert.

What it does mean is living your best life, with God as its focus.

 

[DebChris]

I had to wonder if this was similar to Our Lord’s words to St. Paul, “Do not kick against the goad!”

And you are so right that God’s ways of speaking to us are much different from our normal thoughts. It is good to find agreement in this, so that others can learn.

When we face difficult moments in our lives, there is a real tendency to fight what is happening. We need to “Let go and let God.”
As GGirl relates this does not mean ignoring what is happening. It does mean opening our ears and listening to what God is telling us to do. It may mean waiting and trusting. It may mean taking action but only when and as God directs. This leads to the Serenity Prayer as guide for an open heart. It is a matter of responding and not reacting. A good book to read is Weeds Among the Wheat.