(I originally posted this on the Maidens for Mary blog, where I am a contributor. I hope you enjoy and please go check out the other wonderful posts there!)
Hello friends!!
I hope you are doing well. Recently I've been having to make some decisions, both big and small in life. Today, I wanted to share with you some very helpful ways to discern and make important decisions. These are in no particular order of importance (though I've numbered them because I love lists and to give them a little more emphasis. 😊)
1. Pray! - First things first, pray always. All we do should be done for the greater honor and glory of God and for the salvation of our souls, so what better way to focus on doing this than prayer? Start your day with a prayer. Start your school work with a prayer. Start your sleep with a prayer, I mean, say a prayer before you go to bed. 😉 When we pray, we ask God for guidance, we dedicate the task ahead of us to Him, and we surrender our doubts or worries to His Divine Providence.
2. Talk with those whom you trust and love. Ask your parents for advice. I know it may seem like they don't understand our complicated teenage lives sometimes, but God has given them to you as a very special gift and for a very special reason. They have seen you grow from a young infant into the beautiful young woman you are today. They know you better than many people and want what's best for you. Your parents have lots of experience in all sorts of areas and once were teens too! My parents have given me helpful advice and counsel whenever I have been in trouble or needed to make a decision.
3. Talk to your priest or spiritual advisor. Our priests are Christ's visible representatives and ministers. Think of your priest as a gentle shepherd who will help lead you to the verdant pasture, the right decisions. Priests can help you by reminding you what the Church teaches and what Jesus asks of you. They often also have great spiritual reading advice (and maybe a funny story or two!)
4. My last point leads into the next one; read good books, especially spiritual ones. My top book recommendation on life and spiritual advice is Fr. Lasance's A Catholic Girl's Guide. Now that I've graduated high school, I have a lot of time to read. I've noticed that when I read good Catholic books, my mind is focused on how I can better my life and faith.
Ok, now it gets down to the nitty-gritty. You have to make a decision fast! You've been praying and discussing, but God just hasn't revealed to you with a flash of light and booming voice, "This is what you're supposed to do!" So what are you to do?
5. Say a short prayer (Wait, what? More prayer? But you already said... I know! But pray again. {1 Thess. 5:17} "Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in you. Most Immaculate Heart of Mary, be my guide.") Then, make a list. Make a list of the pros and cons of this decision. Think it through slowly and carefully. Your list may look something like this:
It can be as long or as short as you need. Once you've created your list carefully, discuss it with your parents, advisor, and/or priest. They will probably have very helpful suggestions based on this list. I would also suggest coming to your conclusion based on this list on your own first, and then asking your advisor to tell you what they think before hearing your conclusion. My mom and I both came to the same conclusion about a very important decision after doing this. Making a list can be so helpful in seeing all of your options and benefits or downfalls of a decision.
Now, hopefully you're able to make a good and wise decision. But there's one more troubling thing about making decisions, especially in our teenage years. "What are you doing these days?" "What school are you going to?" "What are you majoring in?" "Where are you going?" "What's your plan?" Questions, questions, QUESTIONS!!! They seem to never end! Questions like these make me worry, not about what people think of me, but they make me worry about what I am doing. Am I really ok? Should I have done something different? If peoples' concerned and inquisitive questions make you worry, don't let them! I know it's hard to answer the same questions over and over again. It's hard to be sure you've made the right decision. But if you're trying to follow God's Will, He'll lead you and you don't have to worry. Not one bit. Answer any questions you receive charitably and confidently. Now, the other part of this recommendation is this: you don't have to answer every single question all the way. As a wise priest recently told me, "This is between you and God." Sure, you can tell them I'm discerning my vocation, I'm thinking about going to college, etc. But don't get overwhelmed in telling them all the details. They will find out what you are doing at the proper time. Again, just be charitable and confident. Trust our Good God.
Well, that's all I have for now. What helps you to make decisions, big or small? Let me know in the comments below! Have a great day and remember you're in my prayers!!
Well, that's all I have for now. What helps you to make decisions, big or small? Let me know in the comments below! Have a great day and remember you're in my prayers!!
