Yesterday I did a radio show on Blog Talk Radio and the topic was “Discernment and the Prayerful Art of Making Decisions.” I talked about discernment as a spiritual tool and as a way of letting God in on our decision-making process. Discernment is used in the big decisions of our lives—decisions about relationships, marriage, when to start a family, choosing a college, choosing a job, or deciding on how you want to live your life at twenty-one, thirty, forty-one, fifty, retirement, or whatever age you choose, etc. The big decisions.
I find one of the steps of the decision-making process to be most helpful. Say for example, you are deciding between two jobs. As part of the discernment process, in your heart and mind, imagine making a decision and choosing one of the job offers. Walk with that decision in your heart for a couple of days. Pay attention to how you feel with that decision. Are you at peace? Can you sleep well at night? A few days later, imagine in your heart and mind of choosing the other job offer. Mentally live with that decision. Try it on in your being. Again, pay attention to how you feel. Can you sleep well at night? Are you at peace with this decision?
In both scenarios, ask yourself if this decision is congruent with your most authentic self. The goal of discernment in the decision-making process is to experience the fruits or gifts of the Spirit. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23).
From my own experience, I would add sleep as a gift of the Spirit. If I can sleep well at night with my decisions, then that is an indicator that I am moving in the direction of the Spirit because anxiety, stress, worry, and fear (those feelings that keep me up at night and give me unrest) are not fruits of the Holy Spirit.
As you face major decisions in your life, may you be guided by the Spirit of God, and may you dwell in the gifts of love, kindness, peace, patience, joy, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, and generosity.
Blessings this day!
Check out the radio program at this Blog Talk Radio’s Web site.
