As we remember the great and holy life of Mother Angelica, one important lesson I learned from her writings is a simple (and honest) way to discern God’s will. Discernment can be difficult at times and I know that I have struggled to see God’s plan throughout my life.
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That is why I am thankful for the straightforward advice of Mother Angelica, which has been a source of encouragement for me over the years.
The first bit of advice that Mother gives us is the reality that God typically doesn’t tell us what to do. We have to do the best we can with what God has given us and we don’t always know that we are doing God’s will until years later:
People often ask me, “How do you know whether something is God’s Will in your life?” I say, “Ask me next year, and then we’ll know whether it was God’s Will.”
The Lord isn’t going to come down and say, “Now, look sweetie, I want you to do this little thing for me.” He’s not going to do that. He gave you a brain. He gave you a memory, an intellect, a will. Do you realize if you’re a Christian, you have Sanctifying Grace in you? The Holy Spirit is in you. Pray. Move forward in His grace, and you will discover His will for you” (Mother Angelica’s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality, emphasis added).
God isn’t going to send down an earthquake to tell us what to do and that is OK. God has given us much freedom and if we are progressing in virtue and have a solid life of prayer, we should be able to make choices that are in accord with God’s plan.
But what are some signs to look for that helps us choose God’s will over our own? Here are some practical tips from Mother Angelica:
How do you evaluate God’s Will in your life? I don’t think God’s Will always makes you feel good. You judge God’s Will as follows:
- Does it violate any of the Commandments? Is it against the precepts of the Church?
- Will it give God honor and glory?
- Will it benefit my family and my spiritual life?
That is how you can judge what God’s Will is for you. And sometimes we don’t have clarity even with that. I would pray more at that point. I would ask Our Lord to give you light. If somehow along the way we miss it, He will make good out of your mistakes. You can depend on that (Mother Angelica’s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality).
What Mother Angelica says in that last paragraph is important to remember: “If somehow along the way we miss it, He will make good out of your mistakes.” Sometimes we can stall following God’s will because we are afraid of making mistakes. This is unfortunate as it shows how we are afraid to trust God. We don’t realize that God can write straight with crooked lines and that He is with us through it all.
God is not going to abandon us if we make a mistake. He will always be there.
And last of all, remember this final bit of advice from Mother Angelica:
In daily events I must see the providence of God. Remember this one little truth: Nothing happens to you without the stamp of His providence placed upon it before it happens. That’s faith (Mother Angelica’s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality).
God is always there, even in the little things (most especially in the little things.) So today, whenever something happens to you, remember that God has allowed it to happen and that it will benefit us in some way, even though we won’t realize it until years down the road.