|
Discernment of God’s will in particular situations is aided by an understanding of the forms of energy that indicate the blessing of the Presence or the absence of the blessing. A passage helpful is from Philippians:
8Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don't ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4, CEV)
If you are in a situation wherein the mind and heart is not filled with the energies mentioned above, then, something is awry. This might indicate you are outside of the will of the Divine or another person(s) is blocking the positive energy. Or, it might indicate that you have these negative energy patterns that are blocking alignment with God’s will in the situation. Therefore, the desolation, as taught by St. Ignatius, may indicate a warning that you are not in God’s will or simply that you or another person is bringing negative energy into the situation that is God’s will.
This same teaching applies to the Fruit of the Spirit, as found in Galatians:
22God's Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, 23gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways. (Galatians 4, CEV)
Again, being at unrest in a situation indicates something awry. When in God’s will, we are to enjoy peace. The being awry may, again, imply the situation is not God’s will or it might arise, for example, from past fear that is blocking your enjoying being in God’s will in the situation. Likewise, the blocking of positive God-energy might be arising from another person or persons in the situation.
What do you do in these situations with energies? You keep going back to the Father, seeking insight. You need to ask honest questions of yourself and be honest. You need to have spiritual confidants to help you. Then, if it is clear that the negative energies are part of the situation, but not as implying you are out of God’s will, the situation and those involved must be addressed to align with the Spirit of God. If the desolation arises from being out of God’s will, then, it is time to realign with God’s will and make necessary changes, and promptly.
Prayer of Discernment
Spirit of God, I give this situation and all involved to you. Guide me to see clearly your will. If the desolation energies arise from being out of your will, I seek help in redirecting and getting out as soon as possible. If my habitual mental and behavioral tendencies are blocking the inflow of the positive energies and enjoyment of your will in this situation, I submit my heart and mind anew, that they be realigned with your Spirit in Love. If another person is blocking the enjoyment of your Will in this situation, show me how I may help her, and I pray for her freedom from whatever is blocking her surrendering to your will. Amen.
Affirmation
Today, I bring love, joy, and peace into every situation God places me.
OneLife Ministries is a pastoral outreach and nurture ministry of the First United Methodist Church, Fort Meade, FL. For Spiritual Direction, Pastoral Counseling, spiritual formation workshops, Christian meditation retreats, or more information about OneLife, write Rev. Dr. Brian K. Wilcox at briankwilcox@comcast.net.
|
