Discernment can be challenging. Understanding God’s guidance is leaves me questioning my next move. I want to know that my decisions are moving me in the direction God wants for me and those around me.
Recently, I had this strong feeling that it was time to stop this blog. In over ten years, it was the first time I had considered stopping. My husband has suggested I retire from blogging several times over the years, and my response was always the same. God hadn’t let me know that it was time. I had always known deep within myself that I was to keep going. So, where did this sudden change come from? Should I pay attention to it?
Discernment requires more than a feeling. Feelings can change. Making a big decision when I’m in a bad mood is never a good idea. Leaning into God’s calling requires more. My first questions is always is it within the character of God? If that is a yes, then I run it by others who know me and trust God. They help me see what I might be blind to. Finally, I give myself time for additional prayer and listening trusting that God’s wisdom will prevail. Big decisions rarely need to be made quickly.
4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 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.6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:4-6 NIV).
Well, I clearly haven’t stopped blogging. Giving myself the time to assess, listen and discern if God was calling me in a new direction allowed me to conclude that now is not the time.
How are you with discernment? Do you have a structure you follow to know when God is leading you? What would you add to my list? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.