walkingonmypath asked you:
How can i know my will comes from the God’s will? Recently, i have feelings that God may want me to serve in specific vocation. However, the vacancy in this field is quite few. It means i may have to wait for the vacancy and compete with others. So, how can i know this feeling comes from God? I worry about that If it is not God’s will, my waiting will become a wasting of time. Thanks.

Jed Brewer replied:

Hey Mandy!

Good to hear from you, sis.

This is a great question.  I wrote a post a little bit ago directly on this topic, and you can check it out here:

http://jedbrewer.tumblr.com/post/12382456450/how-do-i-know-if-its-gods-will-or-just-my-desires

Take a second to go read that, and then come back here.  I’ll wait for you.

Ok.  Now, given everything you just read, I think the thing we want to add here is that part of discerning God’s voice is getting yourself – and your fears – out of the way.

I think what I hear you describing in your question is that you’ve found something you’re excited about, but daunted and intimidated by at the same time.  For what it’s worth, that’s normal.

First, congratulations on finding something you’re excited about!  That’s fantastic!

Second, most things worth doing are hard and daunting.  Christian talk about “waiting for an open door”, but, in truth, when you read the Bible, you see a lot of stories about Godly men and women kicking the dang door down, and walking on through.

That said, a difficult path doesn’t in any way mean it’s not what God wants for you.  But, what we can be sure of is that God has wisdom to give you on the subject.  And you clearly want that wisdom, which is awesome!

As I said, the challenge is to get your fears out of the way.  The reason you need to do that is that God speaks in a gentle whisper.  And fear, anxiety, and insecurity scream really loud.

So, how do we do that?  Good question.  Some people think best when they’re writing.  Some people think best when they’re talking.  So, grab either your journal or a trusted friend, and do the following: get it all out.

To start, pour out everything you’re afraid of about this new job prospect.  Fear of failure.  Fear of the unknown.  Fear of success.  Fear of leaving.  Fear of staying.  Get it all out on the table.

Next, get your hopes out on the table.  What you want it to look like.  What you’re excited about.  What it would be if all of your wildest dreams came true.

After that, get out what you’re afraid God’s will would be.  If God was mean and didn’t like you and agreed with all the terrible things you think about yourself, get out in the open what he would say about this.  (It’s ok to admit it, God already knows.)

Good.  Now you’ve gotten all of your thoughts, fears and concerns out in the open.  So, go for a walk, clear your head, drink a cup of coffee.

Then sit down, just you and the Lord, and ask for wisdom in Jesus’ name.  Be still before the Lord, and expect him to speak.  Repeat this process as many times as you like, and I think you’ll be shocked how, when you get everything out of your system, and quiet yourself before the Lord, that the things that come to mind in that moment are shockingly consistent.  Compare them with the truth of scripture, and then boldly walk forward.