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Tintin
Guest
When praying for discernment is it possible to get a definite answer about what you should do?
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stbruno
Guest
Absolutely, you can get a definite answer. The object of discernment is to allow the Lord to lead you to where you should go, not your co-workers, the people in your parish, not even the closest members of your family…however they may be supporting and encouraging you on your journey.
When you get to the junction…and you choose the right path, it will feel absolutely right. You will feel fulfillment in your decision. That doesn’t mean everything afterward will be wonderful and smooth sailing…Jesus said, pick up your cross and follow me…but hook onto to the Lord’s cross…He will bear all things if you allow him into your life. It lead me to the diaconate and while each day is not perfect, I am sure now this is where the Lord wanted me to go more than 30 years ago, but it took almost 16years of marriage before I answered the call to my vocation. Just pray, seek spiritual direction from a director and pray some more and you will know what God has in mind for you. Allow him to lead you…don’t push your own agenda and all will work.
When you get to the junction…and you choose the right path, it will feel absolutely right. You will feel fulfillment in your decision. That doesn’t mean everything afterward will be wonderful and smooth sailing…Jesus said, pick up your cross and follow me…but hook onto to the Lord’s cross…He will bear all things if you allow him into your life. It lead me to the diaconate and while each day is not perfect, I am sure now this is where the Lord wanted me to go more than 30 years ago, but it took almost 16years of marriage before I answered the call to my vocation. Just pray, seek spiritual direction from a director and pray some more and you will know what God has in mind for you. Allow him to lead you…don’t push your own agenda and all will work.
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Bruised_Reed
Guest
Great question. I’ll try to answer. I wouldn’t use the word “definite” I would use “clear”. And then I would say “yes” it is possible.
One of the best books I’ve read on discernment is by Fr. Michael Scanlan, What Does God Want?.
One way to check one’s disernment is by “confimation” - not the sacrament but by seeking wise counsel. This person could be a spiritual director (if one is lucky enough to have one) or other spiritually mature person. Talk with him about the matter being discerned.
Sometimes the confirmation happens without seeking it. For example, say someone is considering a vocation to the priesthood (or not, that’s when it’s really interesting
) and someone they don’t even know approaches them and asks, “have you considered being a priest?”
Okay, there are some who ask everyone that question but if she was praying and the Holy Spirit prompted her to say that, then it could be confirmation.
Then there are people with the spiritual gift of discerment. Good to have around.
One of the best books I’ve read on discernment is by Fr. Michael Scanlan, What Does God Want?.
One way to check one’s disernment is by “confimation” - not the sacrament but by seeking wise counsel. This person could be a spiritual director (if one is lucky enough to have one) or other spiritually mature person. Talk with him about the matter being discerned.
Sometimes the confirmation happens without seeking it. For example, say someone is considering a vocation to the priesthood (or not, that’s when it’s really interesting
) and someone they don’t even know approaches them and asks, “have you considered being a priest?”Okay, there are some who ask everyone that question but if she was praying and the Holy Spirit prompted her to say that, then it could be confirmation.
Then there are people with the spiritual gift of discerment. Good to have around.
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threej_lc
Guest
Yes. You just won’t know it until after you’ve acted on it.
Josh
Josh
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Tintin
Guest
To what extent can we trust our feelings in these matters?
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poppiedancer
Guest
Yes, I was wondering that too. I can be soooo excited…by two different Orders…!
I’m being torn, because its like I/m pulled in two directions…even different ones eah day!!!
I have felt a “peace” of sorts with each…
I’m being torn, because its like I/m pulled in two directions…even different ones eah day!!!
I have felt a “peace” of sorts with each…
J
JCPhoenix
Guest
I thnk the key is that you have to start to take action and let God handle the rest. And remember that you can’t do it alone. Offer every single step to the Lord and ask for guidance.
I, too, like poppiedancer am discerning a vocation to religious life (no one is more shocked than I am), and of course for me this could lead nowhere but maybe closer to God. Either way, that is a gift.
Of course discernment does not apply only to vocations but to small decisions in live and large alike regarding every facet of our existance.
God can be very clear, but if he is clear all the time how do we learn? We have to learn to trust and the only way we can do that is to offer our journeys as we go and have faith that we will be led and the Holy Spirit will help us to choose correctly at every moment. We also have to trust that if we err that the Lord will reward our intention, pick us up and send us on our way.
Have faith. Spend time in front of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and offer everything you are, everything you have, everything you have ever been or will be to him and be open to his prompts.
We are not called to walk an easy road.
I, too, like poppiedancer am discerning a vocation to religious life (no one is more shocked than I am), and of course for me this could lead nowhere but maybe closer to God. Either way, that is a gift.
Of course discernment does not apply only to vocations but to small decisions in live and large alike regarding every facet of our existance.
God can be very clear, but if he is clear all the time how do we learn? We have to learn to trust and the only way we can do that is to offer our journeys as we go and have faith that we will be led and the Holy Spirit will help us to choose correctly at every moment. We also have to trust that if we err that the Lord will reward our intention, pick us up and send us on our way.
Have faith. Spend time in front of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and offer everything you are, everything you have, everything you have ever been or will be to him and be open to his prompts.
We are not called to walk an easy road.
P
puzzleannie
Guest
shayward:
feelings are a good spur in the original impulse to pursue discernment, for instance strong feelings of attraction-or aversion- to a person or way of life are a good indicator that you must explore the reasons for that depth of feeling, investigate, gather data, pray and seek spiritual direction.
some great conversions have begun with strong affection and love for Christ, especially as He is manifest in the poor and suffering, St. Francis is a good example, but Francis did not leave his vocation and the emotional, sentimental level but moved on to the discern – after several false steps – what God was really calling him to do.
by themselves, feelings are seldom a very reliable guide for making decisions or life changes, and reliance on feelings is a hallmark of immaturity.
feelings are a good spur in the original impulse to pursue discernment, for instance strong feelings of attraction-or aversion- to a person or way of life are a good indicator that you must explore the reasons for that depth of feeling, investigate, gather data, pray and seek spiritual direction.
some great conversions have begun with strong affection and love for Christ, especially as He is manifest in the poor and suffering, St. Francis is a good example, but Francis did not leave his vocation and the emotional, sentimental level but moved on to the discern – after several false steps – what God was really calling him to do.
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