Hi everyone,

Thanks for your helpful answers in how to deal with distractions during mass and some other questions to do with mass. I have another question and that has to do with discernment..

(1) how do you know if God is saying yes ? (2) how do you know if God is saying no ?

(3) And if you are leaning towards a certain answer, how do you know if its not just your scruples/ doubts getting in the way?

I am caught between feelings/ thoughts of both answers - yes and no !

It is in relation to a job prospect for my future. I have done all the relevant study towards this area and this is something I really want however, I need God's OK on it before I embark in it...

please help,

Veronica D

-- Veronica D (veronica01_2@yahoo.com), April 02, 2004

Answers

bump the above !

-- Veronica D (veronica01_2@yahoo.com), April 02, 2004.

A friend of mine is in the same situation. He told me that his pastor dedcribed the process of discernment as a three step process:

1. Prayer

2. Reasoning

3. Counsel

He has mixed prayer thourghout. The reasoning process concerns measuring the pros and cons of various options. Counsel invilves seeking advice from trusted individuals. Then finally make a decision.

I'm going off memory here, so someone please correct me if I got it wrong.

-- Andy (aszmere@earthlink.net), April 02, 2004.

Veronica,

The following is something that changed my way of viewing my future career aspirations. I was at a conference once, when someone talked about this, and you may have heard some of it before, as I had:

1. Is there need for it? 2. Am I gifted at it? 3. Is it in line with Christian behavior (ethical, not causing one to sin, etc).

But with #2, I had figured that being trained to do something meant that I would be good at it. However, we know this is not necessarily true. This about areas in which you are most talented. Does this job utilize those? What about your weak areas - will you be forced to do something often on this job that you are naturally unskilled at doing? Remember that just because you studied in a subject area or were trained in something doesn't mean you are gifted at it.

Prayerfully consider what gifts God has given you, and look to utilize those to His glory. I really believe that God's general will for us in this area(as far as job or volunteer work) can be discerned in our everyday lives based on what areas we excel in and what work we most enjoy. Pursue this opportunity, and if God does not want you to follow it, He will close the door and open another. If you remain faithful to God, He will always provide what you need, but you must take action, like working toward getting this job, or whatever.

If you are unsure about what your gifts are and would like more information about personality tests (that provide career fits) or spiritual giftedness tests, please email me and I will be happy to share those with you. I have collected a vast amount of information because it is an area of interest to me.

God bless and guide you in your decision,

-- Emily (jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), April 02, 2004.

Though sometimes this is not possible, try not to rush it. St. Francis de Salles spent years making certain decisions because he wanted to be sure it was God's will.

Dano

-- Dan Garon (boethius61@yahoo.com), April 02, 2004.

"3. Is it in line with Christian behavior (ethical, not causing one to sin, etc)."

-I would specifically add -make sure any decision is not counter to Catholic teaching.

Daniel////

-- Daniel Hawkenberry (dlm@catholic.org), April 03, 2004.

Hi Veronica,

WAIT, WAIT, WAIT until you have peace about your move. Look towards the past when you know God HAS spoken to you, try to remember in what way He spoke . . . through a dream, a scripture passage, through a song, and then begin looking for "clues" or puzzle pieces. When the puzzle is complete, the Lord will breath upon it, and VOILA you'll say "OH, I GET IT!"

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), April 03, 2004.