How important is "listening to one's heart?"

[mistfall]

Hello all. When reading about the discernment of one’s vocation, I often hear that it is important to “listen to your heart” - that one’s own deep desires are often an indication of what God intends one’s vocation to be.

If the years and decades wear on and all doors seem to close on what the heart is saying ( sometimes shouting, begging, praying, etc…) ought one at some point decide “my heart is a lousy prophet and I must no longer consider what it wants”?

Do you think that God sometimes sends us the cross of intending our vocation to be the opposite of our heart’s deepest desires?

 

[Scottgun]

Frankly, the expression “listen to your heart” always had more of a modern, therepeutic consumer culture ring to it than a Christian one for me. Desires are fine as far as they go. They are the beginning of discernment of vocation, but eventually reason has weigh the desires against reality, preferably with an objective outside party view. Perhaps it’s time to find a spiritual director.

 

[Elzee]

I heard a Vocations Director (a priest) give a talk once.
He said *“A vocation is not a “feeling”. Warm feelings can accompany a calling, but we have to remember “feelings” can deceive. A vocation to the priesthood is an objective call from God. To help you discern the difference is why I and many others are here.”
*

 

[ASimpleSinner]

Hello all. When reading about the discernment of one’s vocation, I often hear that it is important to “listen to your heart” - that one’s own deep desires are often an indication of what God intends one’s vocation to be.

If the years and decades wear on and all doors seem to close on what the heart is saying ( sometimes shouting, begging, praying, etc…) ought one at some point decide “my heart is a lousy prophet and I must no longer consider what it wants”?

Do you think that God sometimes sends us the cross of intending our vocation to be the opposite of our heart’s deepest desires?

Discernment is essential. Finding a wise father confessor can help sort through a lot of this… I am inclined to generally believe the impulse for a religous or priestly vocation that nags at one’s heart is a pretty good sign one may have a calling…

OTOH, I have dealt with a very few guys whose “collar obsession” seemed to be more about being a cleric than being called to clerical dignity. That is to say, they seemed a little too focused on achieving a “position” and the position they were looking to achieve did not well resemble priestly duty. To put it crudely, they were very excited about dressing up, having titles, being called Father… Those men seldom made it past the first year or two of seminary.

BUT, in the end my advice is work with a priest through this. Use the same one for counseling and confession and see what he can help you come to.

 

[1234]

Hello all. When reading about the discernment of one’s vocation, I often hear that it is important to “listen to your heart” - that one’s own deep desires are often an indication of what God intends one’s vocation to be.

If the years and decades wear on and all doors seem to close on what the heart is saying ( sometimes shouting, begging, praying, etc…) ought one at some point decide “my heart is a lousy prophet and I must no longer consider what it wants”?

Do you think that God sometimes sends us the cross of intending our vocation to be the opposite of our heart’s deepest desires?

I think that listening to one’s heart is an essential place to start. You have to really really want to do something to succeed at it. My husband says that the key to success at marriage is to *want *to be married.

Nunsense on phatmass wanted to be a disc carmelite for YEARS. She seemed very unlikely. She was 54. Her bro prevailed on her to postpone entering in ENGLAND (she’s a US citizen and found it hard to find a house here that would accept her) --to go to Singapore to care for his little boy for 6 months. A priest out there told her that she had NO CHANCE of succeeding as an enclosed Discalced Carmelite. She entered and left temporarily–stayed on the grounds–entered again where she had left off (postulant) and recently was clothed.

I agree with the spiritual director thing. I also think that you should do the “Come and See” thing and visit as many places in your area of interest as you can afford. The truth of your situation will come to you. This is not the sort of thing that you can work out alone.

 

[BaRt_SVD]

I often hear that it is important to “listen to your heart”.

But it is another important thing. It is skill in reading signs that God has been giving to the each person.

Do you think that God sometimes sends us the cross of intending our vocation to be the opposite of our heart’s deepest desires?

I don’t think so.

God bless!

 

[mschrank]

Do you think that God sometimes sends us the cross of intending our vocation to be the opposite of our heart’s deepest desires?

Yes. My dad has spent almost 15 years pursuing dead-end startup business after dead-end startup business. He does not have the stuff to be an enterpreneur but he wants it with all his heart and keeps trying while his family goes into penury.

I’ve recently decided that this is a sort of cross for him, that his heart is totally at odds with his (a)vocation.

 

[1234]

Yes. My dad has spent almost 15 years pursuing dead-end startup business after dead-end startup business. He does not have the stuff to be an entrepreneur but he wants it with all his heart and keeps trying while his family goes into penury.

I’ve recently decided that this is a sort of cross for him, that his heart is totally at odds with his (a)vocation.

I am sorry for your situation.

The federal government, internet and a lot of the larger banks have info, tutorials and such for small-business owners. Perhaps your father could take advantage of some of these.