How do you know when God is speaking to you?

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Jmeier

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Okay. So I’m new to this forum. I googled “Catholic forums” because I’ve been wondering this question for weeks now and I haven’t had the chance/courage to ask anyone at my church.

First off, a little background about me. I was baptized and confirmed Lutheran. I married my husband who is Catholic and am now completing RCIA. Prior to meeting my husband, I was religious but not to the extent of going to church, just that I knew God was real. Now, I am more religious, I pray, I read the Bible, I talk about God to my friends and family, etc. But I still have a ton of unanswered questions.

So, my question… How do you know when God is speaking to you? How do you know that these desires you have aren’t just what you want? How do you know its Him who is planting this seed in your thoughts and not you?

For example: foster care and adoption. That’s what has been on my mind the last 6 months. I feel as if it’s what he wants, like he’s speaking to me, telling me to go on this path in my life. But how do I know it’s not just me that’s wanting that and thinking that?
 
Usually if I feel called to do something that makes me uncomfortable or nervous I figure God has a hand in it.
 
Welcome to CAF, and God’s blessings on your conversion to the Catholic Church.

Regarding fostering, or adopting, have you done any research on what may be entailed, and wheter you and your husband are able to patiently and wisely deal with the harm caused in children who have lost their own parents and may have been abused in various ways.

While sometimes we may receive some clear message, as you suggest, sometimes it’s ourselves who are giving the message.

God gave us intelligence, free will, and judgement, so that these gifts themselves are part of the message we receive from God.

In making big choices for our lives, we include our compassion with our assessment of our natures, with the possible help of others’ advice and perspectives, perhaps counselors.
We also need to do research and perhaps you already have.

We need to be aware of the possible problems and issues, can we realistically, and with God’s help, assume and last through those challenges.
My own State government has various sites which may give some indication of what questions to ask yourself and appropriate authorities in your own area.
https://www.qld.gov.au/community/caring-child/foster-kinship-care/foster-kinship-care-about

Regarding adoption: https://www.qld.gov.au/community/caring-child/adoption/adopting-child-queensland
https://www.qld.gov.au/community/caring-child/adoption/adopting-child-overseas
https://www.adoptchange.org.au/page/85/adoption-and-permanent-care-in-queensland

The children born to us lead us though many challenges, at times almost beyond bearing, and many parents holding babies in their arms have little idea how much they will go through and what challenges their children will bring and endure. With love, both compassionate and firm when necessary, parents get through the difficulties.

We can do extrordinary things. Your generosity of spirit in wanting to foster or adopt, is an indication of your loving spirit. Your questioning of yourself, that’s an indication that you are wise. Even regarding one’s biological children, awaiting their birth, we can have doubts and fears.

The truth is that in general God has provided the means to discover His will by our natures, our intelligence, by research, and by our own and others’ assessment of us.

God bless your husband and you, and the blessed children who may come into your lives. They will come as God’s gift to themselves and to you, if they come, and that will be God’s word and answer to you.

https://www.verywellfamily.com/deciding-if-fostering-is-for-you-26277
 
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God gives us free will, intelligence and expects us to use it!

A: Is this something that the Church teaches against?

If yes, end it. If no, then

B: Is this something that will hinder my path to heaven?

If yes, end it. If no, then

Use your judgement.

And considering what Christ said about helping orphans, etc., well, I think that more of us need to be open to foster/adoption!!
 
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