Lots of us worry about life.

Lots of us worry about where we’ll be, or what we’ll do – neither of which are as important as WHO you are.

It can be really hard to discern what God’s will is for your life. With the world around us throwing so many different voices and influences at us, it is hard, often, to tune into God’s voice and hear what he’s saying about a particular situation. 

It might be as small as a day to day thing, discerning what God’s will is for you in that moment, or it could be a huge thing, a life long decision or situations that affect not just you, but others too.

In those times – be reminded of James 4:8 – of God’s promise when we “come near to God he will come near to you”.

Praying in those times when you’re trying to discern God’s will is going to be essential.

Spending time reading God’s Word in those times when you’re trying to discern God’s will is going to be essential.

Romans 12:1-2 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

There is a correct state of mind and heart to have when discerning God’s will – and that is a state of mind and heart that says – ‘God, YOUR will be done, not mine.” It’s about actually being open to what GOD wants for you, and actively seeking that over your own desires.

That’s what Jesus says in the garden of gethsemane before he went to the cross – he said 'Father I don’t wanna do this, but your will be done, not mine.'

And again in James 4:15 – when thinking about making plans, James writes: “instead, you ought to say, ‘if it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that’.

So before we approach this, do you actually want to seek God’s will in your life, and are you open enough for that to be something that you didn’t have in mind...?

Here are 5 C’s or even C.S’s that can help discern where God might be leading you in a situation. 

These do not provide certain facts, rather they are to be prayed through with wisdom and maturity. 

1.  Confirmation of Scripture

God’s Word is our cornerstone, by nature He speaks to us every time we read it. Regarding your situation, think: Is this in line with God’s character revealed in scripture? Does the Bible specifically talk about my situation? How much am I reading my Bible at the moment, and is it confirming thoughts I may have regarding this situation. So, the confirmation of Scripture – first thing when thinking about discerning God’s will in our life or a situation.

2. Compelled by the Spirit 

What do I mean by that? Sometimes God’s Spirit might speak to us in prayer or lay something deeply on our heart. Think to yourself, is there a strong compelling in my heart, is there a really strong desire or conviction to do something – that might be God’s Spirit compelling you. 

It might take form in: a divine voice in prayer; a verse that jumps out from scripture; a prophetic word from another person; or a sense of peace about a situation - think: is this happening regularly? And is there a strong compelling or desire in your heart for a specific thing, and is that from God? 

    3. Common Sense

God doesn’t just use ‘spiritual means’ to guide us and to help us discern what His will is in our lives or a specific situation, He’s given us perfectly capable brains!! And God expects us to us them!

Weigh up the pros and cons of a situation. Maybe write a list of criteria and compare options. When we use our common sense, we think: what does my experience tell me? Can my experience or common sense contribute to my understanding in this decision. 

     4. Counsel of the Saints 

This basically means listen to the counsel of those around you; listen to the wisdom of people that you consider wise and mature in faith. These will be people you trust, who know the Lord well and have great Christian experience, whether in this area or not. These people won’t just be random people you don’t know well, and they may not even be people here. It might be someone older, with more maturity or life experience. These people immediately around you are your counsel, too however, get them to pray for you and with you about this decision or situation. Am I listening to my counsel around me?

Think: how much do I really trust these people? And if I do: am I doubting that God is speaking through them?

And lastly,

      5. Circumstantial Signs

God CAN and does speak through circumstances, both ours and other peoples. God opens and closes doors that no one can push against. The question is: when does a ‘coincidence’ stop becoming a ‘God-incidence’?

Maybe random or specific things keep happening, maybe you find yourself in the same circumstances several days or weeks running. Maybe someone else if facing the same circumstance as you and there’s just something about it that you just can shake. When does a ‘coincidence’ stop becoming a ‘God-incidence’?

5 CSs of discerning God’s will

Confirmation of Scripture

Compelled by the Spirit

Common Sense

Counsel of the Saints

Circumstantial Signs

These 5 things might be separate, it might be that you draw on or notice one or two of them more them more than the others. The more confirmation you have the better. If you’re noticing or aware or all 5 of these things regarding a specific situation or decision, then you’re probably doing quite well in discerning God’s will in that situation.

In everything remember this:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1-2 NIV

You will be able to test and approve God’s pleasing and perfect will when you are worshipping Him wholly in body and mind. When you submit your will to His, and allow His plans to take shape in your life,

Think: What does this look like for you?