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DISCERN

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We encourage you to visit this page regularly to stay up to date with The Immaculata’s discernment-focused activities and to access resources that can help us to become better discerners.

Practical Discernment Tips

Several months ago, results of our Re-Imagining Parish Life survey revealed that there was a desire for “practical discernment tips”. Spiritual discernment is defined as the ability to distinguish between truth and deception and is developed through cultivating a close relationship with God, seeking wisdom through prayer and scripture, and practicing humility and openness to different perspectives. Key aspects of spiritual discernment include seeking God’s guidance, reflecting on scripture, engaging in meditative prayer, and seeking counsel from trusted individuals.

 

Over the next four weeks will provide a bit more detailed breakdown on spiritual discernment in an area of “practical discernment tips”.   

Cultivating a Relationship with God

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  • Prayer – regular communication with God is foundational. Ask for guidance, wisdom, and discernment in all things.

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  • Scripture – Study the Bible to understand God’s character, His Will, and how He has worked in the lives of others.

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  • Meditation – Spend time in quiet reflection, allowing God’s word and presence to speak to your heart.

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  • Faithful Living – Strive to live a life that reflects God’s love, compassion, and truth.

Seeking Wisdom and Guidance

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  • Ask Questions – don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek clarification when discerning a situation.

 

  • ​Consider Different Perspectives – seek input from trusted individuals, mentors, or spiritual leaders.​

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  • Be Open to New Ideas – approach discernment with humility, being open to perspectives that may differ from your own.

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  • Be Aware of Your Inner World – pay attention to your emotions, thoughts, and intuitions, but don’t let them be your sole guide.

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  • Recognize Potential Deception – be aware of manipulative tactics and deceptive influences in the world.

Evaluating Discernment

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  • Fruits of the Spirit – assess whether the decision or prompting aligns with the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control).

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  • Scriptural Fidelity – Is the decision consistent with the teachings of scripture and the broader Christian and Catholic tradition?

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  • Inner Peace – Does the decision bring a sense of inner peace and resolve, or does it create conflict and confusion?

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  • Promoting Reconciliation – does the decision foster unity and reconciliation, or does it promote division and conflict?

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  • Enhancing Life – does the decision enhance life and promote well-being, or does it detract from it?

Practical Steps

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  • Regularly Journal – record your thoughts, prayers, and reflections to track your progress and insights.

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  • Seek Counsel – share your decision-making process with trusted friends, family, or mentors for feedback and prayer.

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  • Be Mindful of Time – don’t rush the process. Allow sufficient time for prayer, reflection, and discernment.

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  • Be Patient – discernment is a lifelong process. Be patient with yourself and trust that God will guide you.

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