Discerning God's voice--looking for spiritual advice

[leonie]

I was at Adoration meditating on Jesus as the Good Shepherd. I began imagining that I was a sheep–not literally, but just myself in the field. Then I imagined that Jesus as the Good Shepherd came through the gate. So, I went up and sat at his feet and “conversed” with him.

In my prayer exercise, I asked him why I had to deal with anxiety all the time. To this he "replyed: “because it forces you to keep your life simple. It gives you humility and compassion.”

I was a little surprised by this reflection because although I’ve thought before about the humility and compassion aspect, I’ve never thought about how my anxiety forces me to simplify my life. This is very true. I do cut out activities and ambitions because of the anxiety surrounding these things is overwhelming. Anxiety often makes my life “little.” I’ve never considered this a positive thing. In fact, I’ve been ashamed that I have a “little” life because of my weakness.

This was definitely a prayer exercise versus some kind of vision, but I’m still uncertain about the experience. I’m inclined to believe it was a supernatural revelation because it was outside my thought processes, but…sometimes it’s hard to know.

Here’s my questions:

In prayer, how do you separate the voice of God from your own imagination?

And, do you think that this “revelation” about anxiety being a good thing (because it causes one to simplify one’s life) has any merit?

Just looking for some conversation to help me discern this.

 

[InLight247]

Finish reading your post, one sentence pops into my head, the prayer always said by the priest during Mass:

“Keep us away from all anxieties”

 

[RosaLydia]

Hi Leonie

I also suffer from anxiety and I think your thought was extremely insightful and inspirational.

My husband was just asking me yesterday how I was doing with my anxiety and I told him better, but I’ve reduced my preocupations so much. Truly trying to live a simple life and dedicate it to God.

I also found myself being more humble. I teach a class at church and I was having awful anxiety attacks on the days leading to my class and I was afraid I was not able to teach anything, so I prayed to God and told him that this was his class, and if he did not grant me health how was I going to do his work. I still showed up - nobody else could teach - and it turned out to be one of the best classes - and I knew that I was not my doing at all, it was all God, because, just hours before I was physically unable to do anything. Truly humbling to know that this ministry it is all His and not mine.

Thank you for sharing, your revelation has a lot of merit to me.

God bless,

 

[water]

In prayer, how do you separate the voice of God from your own imagination?

For me, I don’t really know. I go and buy some books written by Saints and other spiritual directors and find out how their teachings might be applied to my life.

I don’t know if God speaks to me or not, but I am 100% sure God speaks to me through the Saints who wrote those books. Also, I share my thinking with friends and get their advices. These friends are faithful ones to the Catholic church.

 

[water]

On your post, there are two major things you mentioned:

• anxiety
• revelation

which one you really want to focus on?

 

[chewchoo]

i am finding out as i progress in my spiritual journey that God speaks to us thru many different channels.
we can have a discussion with God as you did.
we can discuss our fears and anxieties with others and the answers/comments they provide are God speaking thru them.
we can talk to God and then pick up a book, any book, a holy, spiritual book or even a secular book and find the answer there.

i think the thing that helps us to discern that it is God speaking is to know and understand that the “comment” is good and true, and to continue to prayerfully consider the comment and how God would want you to proceed.

 

[Joysong]

Hi Leonie,

When you wrote that, “I was a little surprised by this reflection,” it seemed to me that your meditation was from the Lord speaking to you. Whenever I have discerned Him speaking to me, for the most part His words are ‘spirit and life’ and enlighten regarding our reflection or question. Most of the time, too, I find that He speaks in ways that we do not expect, so that the surprise element tells us it is not our own make-up.

For instance, I sometimes ask something of God, and He replies with a scripture that I had not at all been thinking about, and the answer is absolutely full of light, perfectly instructing me with regard to my question, and bringing deep joy and peace.

St. John of the Cross teaches:

For, as at that time the understanding is recollected and united with the truth of that whereon it is thinking, and the Divine Spirit is likewise united with it in that truth, as it is always united in all truth, it follows that, when the understanding communicates in this way with the Divine Spirit by means of this truth, it begins to form within itself, successively, those other truths which are connected with that whereon it is thinking, the door being opened to it and illumination being given to it continually by the Holy Spirit Who teaches it. For this is one of the ways wherein the Holy Spirit teaches.

catholictreasury.info/Ascent/asc45.htm

1. From what has been said, it is evident that these successive locutions may proceed in the understanding from three causes, namely: from the Divine Spirit, Who moves and illumines the understanding; from the natural illumination of the same understanding; and from the devil, who may speak to the soul by suggestion.

To describe now the signs and indications by which a man may know when they proceed from one cause and when from another would be somewhat difficult, as also to give examples and indications. It is quite possible, however, to give some general signs, which are these.

When in its words and conceptions the soul finds itself loving God, and at the same time is conscious not only of love but also of humility and reverence, it is a sign that the Holy Spirit is working within it, for, whensoever He grants favours, He grants them with this accompaniment.

 

[St_Gabriel]

When we read the Bible prayerfully and regularly, we get a good sense of who God is and what His will is for us. Add in frequent reception of the Eurcharist, the sacraments, prayer and this is all that we need.

Thoughts and insights like the one you mentioned are good because they give you comfort and the ability to cope with your anxiety. But there really isn’t any way for any of us to know whether or not they are from God or if they are just from your own understanding. In any event, I would hold on to that thought if it brings you comfort and thank the Lord for the gift of understanding.

I wouldn’t make any major changes in my life based on what I heard during prayer unless consulting with a qualified Spiritual Director first.

 

[water]

Besides it might force you to live a simple life, anxiety also tells us how little we trust in the Lord.

 

[leonie]

Hi Leonie

I also suffer from anxiety and I think your thought was extremely insightful and inspirational.

My husband was just asking me yesterday how I was doing with my anxiety and I told him better, but I’ve reduced my preocupations so much. Truly trying to live a simple life and dedicate it to God.

I also found myself being more humble. I teach a class at church and I was having awful anxiety attacks on the days leading to my class and I was afraid I was not able to teach anything, so I prayed to God and told him that this was his class, and if he did not grant me health how was I going to do his work. I still showed up - nobody else could teach - and it turned out to be one of the best classes - and I knew that I was not my doing at all, it was all God, because, just hours before I was physically unable to do anything. Truly humbling to know that this ministry it is all His and not mine.

Thank you for sharing, your revelation has a lot of merit to me.

God bless,

Thanks, Rosa,

I’ve found that with my anxiety, people don’t know how heroic it is for me sometimes to do things that seem simple to them. I think that it was very heroic of you to teach that class and it shows a lot of trust and dependence of God.

The fact that you are finding simplifying your life to be a spiritual solution to your anxiety is confirming my revelation.

Your sister in Christ, leonie

 

[leonie]

Besides it might force you to live a simple life, anxiety also tells us how little we trust in the Lord.

I’ll have to think about this.

Some anxiety is certainly related to trust, but the kind of paralyzing anxiety that I experience is built into me.

I’ve found that people who have never experience this kind of anxiety don’t really understand it.

But, more trust is definitely in order. I’ll ask God for more trust with my communions.

Thanks for your observation.

 

[leonie]

Finish reading your post, one sentence pops into my head, the prayer always said by the priest during Mass:

“Keep us away from all anxieties”

Good prayer!

 

[leonie]

When we read the Bible prayerfully and regularly, we get a good sense of who God is and what His will is for us. Add in frequent reception of the Eurcharist, the sacraments, prayer and this is all that we need.

Thoughts and insights like the one you mentioned are good because they give you comfort and the ability to cope with your anxiety. But there really isn’t any way for any of us to know whether or not they are from God or if they are just from your own understanding. In any event, I would hold on to that thought if it brings you comfort and thank the Lord for the gift of understanding.

I wouldn’t make any major changes in my life based on what I heard during prayer unless consulting with a qualified Spiritual Director first.

Good point.

 

[leonie]

Hi Leonie,

When you wrote that, “I was a little surprised by this reflection,” it seemed to me that your meditation was from the Lord speaking to you. Whenever I have discerned Him speaking to me, for the most part His words are ‘spirit and life’ and enlighten regarding our reflection or question. Most of the time, too, I find that He speaks in ways that we do not expect, so that the surprise element tells us it is not our own make-up.

For instance, I sometimes ask something of God, and He replies with a scripture that I had not at all been thinking about, and the answer is absolutely full of light, perfectly instructing me with regard to my question, and bringing deep joy and peace.

St. John of the Cross teaches:

Wow, Joysong, I was hoping for a post just like this–with wisdom from the saints. Thanks so much for taking time to find it. Thanks, leonie

 

[leonie]

i am finding out as i progress in my spiritual journey that God speaks to us thru many different channels.
we can have a discussion with God as you did.
we can discuss our fears and anxieties with others and the answers/comments they provide are God speaking thru them.
we can talk to God and then pick up a book, any book, a holy, spiritual book or even a secular book and find the answer there.

i think the thing that helps us to discern that it is God speaking is to know and understand that the “comment” is good and true, and to continue to prayerfully consider the comment and how God would want you to proceed.

Sometimes, though, it’s hard to know which counsel to follow. How do we know which is of God?

 

[leonie]

On your post, there are two major things you mentioned:

• anxiety
• revelation

which one you really want to focus on?

I’m more concerned about discernment of revelation. But, any discussion of anxiety would be helpful as well.

 

[InLight247]

We know the Bible teaches us not to worry, not be anxious.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in every thing, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

Anxiety is the opposite of peace. God wants us to be in His peace, not stay in our own anxiety. As human, it is normal to have some anxiety, but be overly anxious is lack of trust in God. The enemy will want us to stay in anxiety. When we stay in anxiety, we are lack of God’s peace, and that is exactly what the enemy wants.

When a thought or impression not comes out of our own thinking, it may be from God, it may be from the devil. One way to discern if it is from God, is to check if it is in line with God’s word, if the message brings us God’s joy, love and peace.

Be very careful that the enemy could pretend as an angel in light. If the message tells you to stay in anxiety so you may have better compassion and simple focus on life, it is not like God. See the above and below Bible quote.

If the message tells you to trust in God and do not be anxious, but when you experience anxiety, you may develop more compassion to others, then it is a little different. I don’t know exactly what the message said. But always use God’s word as your base to discern.

Anxiety in a man’s heart depresses it(Proverb 12:25)

We ought to develop simple focus on life with joy and peace of the Lord, not with anxiety. When our focus is only on Jesus, it keeps our life focus pure and simple.

God bless!

 

[chewchoo]

Sometimes, though, it’s hard to know which counsel to follow. How do we know which is of God?

well, that’s why i said to continue to pray about it. it isn’t an instantaneous understanding most of the time.
i was listening to a nun speak on a show once. god asked to start a school or a new order or something… and she wasn’t sure if it was god or not. so she said she decided not to say anything to anyone about it and continued to pray for guidance on the subject. she said that after a few months she just had to talk about it to someone and follow thru on god’s command because the mission was just bursting out of her.
unfortunately the solution isn’t cut and dry …

 

[RosaLydia]

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,

 

[DebChris]

Hi Leonie,

When you wrote that, “I was a little surprised by this reflection,” it seemed to me that your meditation was from the Lord speaking to you. Whenever I have discerned Him speaking to me, for the most part His words are ‘spirit and life’ and enlighten regarding our reflection or question. Most of the time, too, I find that He speaks in ways that we do not expect, so that the surprise element tells us it is not our own make-up.

For instance, I sometimes ask something of God, and He replies with a scripture that I had not at all been thinking about, and the answer is absolutely full of light, perfectly instructing me with regard to my question, and bringing deep joy and peace.

St. John of the Cross teaches:

This has been my experience. I may be writing and a word that is not a normal part of my vocabulary comes to mind. I will receive an insight when least expecting it. 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.
As others have mentioned, God speaks to us in different ways. I was taught to balance the words I hear, the circumstances of my life, plus Scripture. If one is out of line, then what I heard is not of God. Sometimes two or three different people will give me advice concerning an unfamiliar situation I face. This advice gives me insight and direction that I would not have otherwise had.
I like to share this story because it shows God’s sense of humor. One day when I was going to the chiropractor, I heard “Do whatever he tells you.” The chiropractor said, “Go out and boogie.” My conversation with God throughout the afternoon went something like, “You know God I don’t like to go to dances if nobody asks me to dance.” That evening I went to the local restaurant that held weekly dances. There were two men from Alabama who knew how to dance and made me look good all night long. I went home alone.
Remember God will not ask you to sin.