Knowing God's answer when seeking guidance

[*Living~By~Faith*]

I've had some prayers answered over the past couple of years that I knew where answered -- like if I've asked for prayers about family situations and things like that. But how do you know when God answers a prayer when you are asking Him for guidance in making decisions?

Some examples are... my possible upcoming surgery. I keep wavering back and forth on whether or not if I want to go through with this surgery. I've been seeking God on this and I'm not comfortable with an answer yet. I'm afraid that I may have the surgery and regret it or deal with complications from it later on.

There is also the children's Sunday School class. I keep going back and forth on if I want to help teach that class. I've been praying on what I should do about this as well. I took a two week break from the class and when I did I felt that I should have been in the class. But I really don't think teaching is my calling.

There is also the decision about going to another church. I still have a great desire in this, but I haven't been able to find away to check out other churches. I have, however, came to the conclusion that I have to work on the issues within myself before I seek out another church, otherwise I will be faced with the same issues wherever I go.

I think the answer comes when seeking guidance in life decision, comes when you are comfortable and at peace with your decision. But I'll have that peace and comfort, but it usually doesn't last long. I've been seeking God a lot more over the past few days and have really changed a lot of things in my life and have already noticed a difference that it has made.

[edgechristian]

I often have to remind myself that in addition to praying I have to be open to God's answer. In employee development at work we've talked about "active listening": making eye contact, asking followup questions, staying focused, making physical and verbal acknowledgments, etc. I feel like I have to do this also to have a conversation with God. He reveals himself in the tiniest moments: a message from someone I haven't heard from in ages, a song on the radio, a brief conversation with my priest, a new article, etc. It's hard to miss these answers since they are not direct but if I am paying attention I can hear them.

[praisehimalleluia]

I had trouble accepting God's answers when I did not want to accept His "NO" answer. I then made my own decisions which of course was wrong.

But I learnt to have the answers fast. At times through the Scripture from the Bible. At times through dreams. Sometimes I have a deep instinct about the answer. It is hard to explain. The Holy Spirit shall guide us when we ask the Lord for an answer.

Try reading the Bible. It will speak to your spirit, and you will feel or understand the Lord's answer by applying what is being read. Sometimes the story has a certain moral to learn from. That may be a clue.