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“Entrust your works to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”
Proverbs 16:3
So what is discernment? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition of discernment is this: “the ability to perceive, understand, and judge things clearly, especially those that are not obvious or straightforward.” For Christians, that means learning God’s path and plans for us. When you have God’s discernment, it is sort of like turning on a light so you can see where you are going. When you do, you are less apt to trip and fall down, or get lost. Best of all, with discernment & wisdom, you are able to walk in God’s Light according to His plan for you and your life.
So who do you turn to when you have a tough decision to make? Who do you go to for help in sorting things out when you have a decision to make? Take a minute now really think about it, and be honest with yourself. Do you turn first to other people—friends or family–when things get tough? Do you get on the phone and call other people to run it by them before you make a big decision? Sure, family and friends care about you may be able to listen. But the truth is they are only human, too. In fact, they may be feeling as lost and confused as you are! So where else can you possibly turn? Well, to find God-given discernment, perhaps you could begin with turning to Jesus, and asking Him in prayer to show you the way to go.
There is no substitute for taking whatever is challenging you directly to Jesus in prayer. With Jesus, there is no waiting. No need to leave a voicemail. No need to wait in a waiting room to talk with Him like you do with your doctor. He’s always there for us, and He knows your entire situation before you even pray and ask for His direction. We just need to pray and ask for God’s help, then wait for his answer. So how will we know what God wants for us and our loved ones in any given situation? Let’s take a look…
How to Discern God’s Will
So how do we know God’s will for our life? Some people question whether it’s really possible to know God’s will for them. However, those who regularly pray and read the Bible know well that it is truly possible to discern the will of God by inviting Him in to every circumstance. Some people say they don’t like to pray for themselves, but God stands in wait for us to do so. Like any good parent, God welcomes our turning to Him in our time of need. Like a young child reaching for his father’s outstretched hand, God treasures our seeking Him out, as well as, the time we spend with Him in prayer. If you seek God out, you will find Him. We need to trust Jesus because He knows us even better than we know ourselves. And He gives us new life when we seek Him, reconcile with Him, and follow Him!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
In this Bible passage from the Old Testament, we learn that God is there for us, providing discernment far beyond what the world tells us.. Scripture also tells us that God gives wisdom to those who ask for it:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
James 1:5
Here, scripture also talks about the God-given power found in reading the Bible:
“Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12
God tries to communicate with us any way He can. It may be through a knowing, a ‘gut feeling,’ or even feeling anxious and uneasy about something. It may come to you through something someone else says to you, or in a dream. There are endless ways that discernment comes when you ask God for it. But the point is, if you trust in God, and ask for wisdom and discernment, He will give it to you, it WILL come.
In closing, once you pray for discernment and wisdom, and you are able to understand God’s Divine Will for you, you will be far more able to move forward with wisdom and discernment in whatever you do. Though we sometimes get impatient waiting for God to answer our prayers, God’s ways and timing are always perfect. He will give you the discernment you need when you need it. Trust Him! Yes–Jesus answers all of our prayers in a special way like no one else possibly can. Pray for wisdom and discernment, and it will be yours!
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go…”
Psalm 32:8
Copyright 2023 | Adele M. Gill
The Inspiration Café Podcast & Blog with Adele
PODCAST: https://theinspirationcafeblog.net
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