What is Discernment?
Discernment is rooted in the understanding that God is ever at work in our lives-inviting, directing, guiding and drawing us into the fullness of life. Its central action is reflection on the ordinary events of our lives. It seeks to discover God's presence in these moments and to follow the direction and guidance He gives us through His grace. It is not the events themselves that are of interest, but rather the affective responses they evoke in us- feelings of joy, sorrow, peace, anxiety and all the indefinable 'somethings' that arise and stir within us. It is precisely here that through faith we can discover God's direction and guidance in our lives.
Discernment presupposes an ability to reflect on the ordinary events of one's life, a habit of personal prayer, self-knowledge, knowledge of one's desires and openness to God's direction and guidance. Discernment is a prayerful pondering or mulling over the choices a person wishes to consider. In his/her discernment, the person's focus should be on a quiet attentiveness to God and sensing rather than thinking. His/her goal is to understand the choices of the heart: to see them as God might see them. In one sense, there is no limit to how long he/she might wish to continue in this. Discernment is a repetitive process, yet as the person continues, some choices should of their own accord fall by the wayside while others should gain clarity and focus. It is a process that should move ultimately toward a decision.
St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, observed that the Spirit of God works to encourage and give joy and inner peace to the person who is trying to respond generously to God's love; the spirit of evil, on the other hand, interjects discouragement, anxiety and fear. In other words, the person honestly seeking God can discover God's direction and guidance by being sensitive to the affective response his/her consideration evoke. Does one option evoke a sense of peace? Perhaps God is affirming it. Does another leave the person unsettled? Then perhaps God is directing him/her elsewhere. In all of this, the individual must be sensitive to where he/she experiences peace and joy, inspiration and hope. Our minds may offer us great advice, but discernment ultimately happens in the heart.
