How do you know it is not just pride?

[AnneElizabeth]

Hello forum,

     I'm wondering, are there certain aspects to look out for that will tell you  if it is just your own pride that is 'calling' you?   How can you tell that it could just be that you are 'seeing' into things what you want to see?   Or could it be that you are denying the possible 'signs' that God might be giving because your are too chicken to even look?

AND if you can’t tell the difference, and even though you are scared stiff, should one go make visits at different monasteries anyway?

Thanks for the responses in advance.

 

[ljubim]

Pray like crazy!! :byzsoc:
God’s telling you something, and you might have it right or be misinterpreting, but be assured that you’re thinking in the general direction at a minimum.
I’m sorry I can’t really answer your question, but I’m praying for you!

 

[jpjd]

This is exactly why those discerning a call need to have a spiritual director. This is just the kind of issue that you would be discussing with him. Contact the vocations director in your diocese and ask for help in finding one and for general guidance about the process of discernment.

 

[Hyacinth_II]

The above 2 posts are right on… so, I will also pray for you. If you don’t know who to go to first…maybe make an appointment with a priest at your parish and ask for guidance on where to go to find some help.

God bless you.

 

[thecross]

Hello forum,

     I'm wondering, are there certain aspects to look out for that will tell you  if it is just your own pride that is 'calling' you?   How can you tell that it could just be that you are 'seeing' into things what you want to see?   Or could it be that you are denying the possible 'signs' that God might be giving because your are too chicken to even look?

AND if you can’t tell the difference, and even though you are scared stiff, should one go make visits at different monasteries anyway?

Thanks for the responses in advance.

Pride is good, pride in you faith, pride in your speech, pride in you actions. When you show your qualities in order to impress some one then it becomes sinful pride. We must be proud of ourselves, we are make to the image and likeness of God. Would you like to see Jesus tonight? Go to the bathroom and look in the mirror and see the image of Jesus. If we can’t see Jesus in the mirror we will have a difficult time seeing Him in others and that is the main idea. All of the Gifts of God are fragile, they all can be lost by neglect. You do realize that when you are 80 and ready to die, it doesn’t matter what order you are in, or what countries you worked in, the friends you have made are important, but all that really matters, is not the letters after your name but only the letters before your name–ST…Don’t be scared in being a saint, just be scared that you aren’t a saint.
Jersus doesn’t tell me everything, sometimes I have to ask

 

[thecross]

Hello forum,

     I'm wondering, are there certain aspects to look out for that will tell you  if it is just your own pride that is 'calling' you?   How can you tell that it could just be that you are 'seeing' into things what you want to see?   Or could it be that you are denying the possible 'signs' that God might be giving because your are too chicken to even look?

AND if you can’t tell the difference, and even though you are scared stiff, should one go make visits at different monasteries anyway?

Thanks for the responses in advance.

I’m sorry, I just realized that I have picked on you twice now, I delete it but I like what I wrote, just a little pride I guess.
No, I go more for humility not pride. If you take any job for just the proud feelings, you will eventually get hurt.Serving God and His people is a very challenging and humble job. The call is an invitation to become a saint. Its hard work, doing the will of God means not sinning, and just remember its very difficult to sin while you are praying. While you serving others its easy to sin if you are not constantly in prayer. An humble prayerful person should become a religious or a parent I believe in the spiritual love at first sight.
If you really love kids and really want some of your own, that is also a great calling. And if you spend you time in prayer in a humble family life, you could be what is called the uncanonized saints of the Catholic Church. They need you too.

Jesus doesn’t tell me everything, some times I have to ask Him

 

[Hidden_One]

I echo the recommendation that you, Anne, get a spiritual director.

 

[anode]

Hello forum,

     (excerpt)

AND if you can’t tell the difference, and even though you are scared stiff, should one go make visits at different monasteries anyway?

Thanks for the responses in advance.

IF you have the time and money, I would suggest that you do visit monasteries of the orders attractive to you. I think that you have nothing to lose. You can talk to superiors and directors there about your doubts and observe the life first-hand. You may observe many things that will answer your questions and either assuage or confirm your doubts.

And, as everyone else has recommended, get a spiritual adviser.

 

[FreedByTruth]

I struggled with this question not too long ago and just got my answer from God last week.

A vocation should feel right. Not necessarily that dreaming of it makes you happy and caught up in the glory of it, it’s just supposed to feel right. You should be content when following God’s plan. If, just in the process of thinking about a specific vocation, you feel like it will or already has caused you to sin, that’s probably not it.

I struggled with this for a long time. I’ve always been a leader and good at forming an argument and so all of my teachers, family, friends, and myself thought I would be some master lawyer or politician. I thought that was what i would be happy doing, that was what God wanted me to do, and yet, I felt as though politics would find a way to distance me from my faith. I then cleared my future entirely, college included. I made myself imagine a blank slate and asked God, over the course of a weekend of adoration and worship, to fill that with His will.

He made me to be a lay missionary.