What is Discernment? (Part 1)

How do I simplify the concept of discernment?

I’ve been wanting to write about this topic for a while, but I’ve been procrastinating, even to the point of not posting last week; not because I don’t like it, but how do I simplify the concept of discernment? I’ll do the best I can, but it’s going to take me a few weeks to do it!

First, what is discernment? Discernment is not simply decision-making where a list of pros and cons are made. It might include some of that, and rational thinking and logic may be used, but ultimately discernment comes from God not from our human reasoning. In discernment we are open to the presence of the Holy Spirit and allow him to lead and help us decide what might be best in a situation.

Seek God First

Shocking...discernment starts with prayer. If you’ve read any of my other articles, that’s not shocking at all. Always, in everything, seeking God first is step one!

Indifference

The next step is to come to a place of indifference about the outcome. For instance, I have sought discernment in many job decisions. After praying about God’s will about what to do, the next step is always to detach myself from the outcome. That means that whether I get or take a job or not, I know God is in the decision; and I’m OK with the outcome regardless of what it is. That is so much easier said than done. Coming to a place of indifference can be very difficult. That’s why step one - seek God first - is most important. Whenever I am discerning something, I repeat that step over and over throughout the process. I’ve used Mary’s prayer in Luke 1:46-55 or Jesus’ prayer in Luke 22:42 as an example of a prayer of indifference.

Trust

Along with indifference comes trust. I have to trust that whatever the answer is to what I’m discerning will be what God has for me to do. Psalm 23 is a good psalm to pray for that type of trust.

Lists/Facts

After seeking God first and coming to a place of indifference and trust, there are many different routes I can go from there. I am a list maker. You know the type of person that might actually add something to her list for the sheer satisfaction of crossing it off the list. It's a sickness. Nonetheless, I usually make a list of pros and cons about what I’m discerning.

I might also gather facts. I can also think about my own experiences and what has happened up to this point in my life. I might consider how each possibility would affect my life. It doesn’t mean I make the decision based on those activities alone, it’s a starting point. Throughout all of this, I invite God into the process. Discernment can include rational thinking and logic, but seeking God’s will is always the most important part of the process.

Next week, we’ll look from where the answers might come.