Making Good Decisions: Using the Ignatian Discernment Framework
One of the most universal needs of the spiritual life is to clearly discern God’s will. Discover ancient wisdom that applies to complex issues in our day. Check out these three resources for excellent questions to aid your discernment process.
Recently presented at the Spiritual Director’s International 2021 Virtual Conference, Watch a recording of the Workshop below:
Download the Handout here: 11 Steps for Making a Decision Following the Ignatian Method
How does God guide us today? (Alpha Talk, Session 7)
- 1st way God guides us – Commanding Scripture
- 2nd way – His Compelling Spirit [He speaks to us as we read the bible and pray]
- 3rd way – Counsel of the Saints [advice from other Christians]
- 4th way – Common Sense [bible tells us the general will of God]
- 5th way – Circumstantial signs
Key Questions to unlocking the clarity you seek.
- What has God already put in your hand?
- Where has he positioned you?
- How has he gifted you? (Skills, personality, charisms, fruit of the Spirit, etc.)
- How might your past inform your future?
- How do you feel as others attempt to persuade you, one way or the other?
“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think that I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore, will I trust you always
though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”
–Thomas Merton
Looking for further support? Please reach out to me at laura.lies@streamsgrace.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.