“What really matters in life is that we are loved by Christ and that we love Him in return. In comparison to the love of Jesus, everything else is secondary. And, without the love of Jesus, everything is useless.”
--St. John Paul II
“A man makes the most progress and merits the most grace precisely in those matters wherein he gains the greatest victories over self and most mortifies his will.”
--St. Francis de Sales
"The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus. When you see a priest, think of our Lord Jesus Christ."
-St. John Vianney
When it comes to following God’s will, the most challenging task can be figuring out just what His will is. Of course, prayer is a vitally important tool in this discernment process. Best case scenario: we ask God to disclose His plan for us, and circumstances fall into place, quickly and effortlessly, to lead us in the right direction.
As recently as 10 years ago, Thanksgiving Day was a time for gathering around the table with family and friends and thanking God for all that He willed for us in the past year. After dinner, we’d curl up together in the living room with the Christmas ads and start making up our gift lists.
On yesterday's Women of Grace Live radio program, I shared a teaching on di
scerning God's will, much of which came from by book Full of Grace: Women and the Abundant Life. Here are the Seven Steps to Discerning God's will, in case you missed the program or didn't get a chance to jot them down. You can also listen to the program in it's entirety at the podcast link here. God bless you!
1. Is the prompting fully in line with Sacred Scripture, the Ten Commandments, and the teachings of the Church? There is no contradiction in God.
2. Is the prompting proceeding from virtue or the flesh? “What is my motivation?”
3. Has this prompting been confirmed in other ways? God confirms His will for us in a variety of ways.
How Does God Speak To Us?
A. Through other people
1. Directly - someone speaks the prompting to us
2. Indirectly
a. a homily at Mass
b. radio
c. television
d. something we read
B. Scripture
C. Events of the day
4. Has the prompting withstood the test of time? There is a difference between enthusiasm and zeal.5. Am I going through an emotionally difficult time or am I suffering from mental instability?
6. Have I sought the counsel of others -- my spouse, provincial, superior, bishop, spiritual director?
7. Is the prompting or inspiration of grace in conformity with my state in life? There may be sacrifice, but there will not be conflict.
