I would be so grateful for some advice....

I came to the Christian faith earlier this year, and have been listening to God's voice ever since and following the path he is laying for me. I am currently searching for a job, as I will qualify from my degree in Social Work in September. I realised earlier this year that a standard social work role was really not going to be enough, and I knew that God intended me to do more than that. I prayed that he would speak to me somehow, and guide me to the right job, one in which I could use my own experiences to help people. He did speak to me- one day I was searching a council's job website (as I do every week) and I spotted a link I'd never noticed before. I followed the link and came across a job that on further reading sounded perfect, although I'd never considered that type of work before. I really feel that I have been directed towards this job by God, and so I have applied for it but won't hear for a couple of weeks. Prior to finding this job, I had a job interview for a standard social work role. I wasn't offered the role, and looking back on it I don't think I performed my best, probably because I now feel destined for the other job. I feel guilty now for not trying harder, but my heart is telling me to hold out for this other job.

My main problem at the moment is that I don't trust myself. This is all so new to me, I could easily be misinterpreting my own desire as God's will. If I'm wrong about this, if I don't get offered an interview, I'm back to square one. What if I can never distinguish between my own instincts and God's voice? Please tell me it comes with time and experience- I am so worried that my naivety will stay at this level! I do go to a church, and they are lovely people, but I don't know them well enough to feel comfortable asking them about this. I just worry that I'm getting it all wrong and will accidentally stray down a path not intended for me.

Deb

5/2/2009 5:16:53 PM by Debora, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/26/2009

Hi Deb and welcome,

I think all Christians can absolutely relate to your predicament, because weve all been there.
Ps. 37:23 states The LORD guides us in the way we should go and protects those who please him
Always keep Jesus in your sight. When you come to a decision you have to make, ask for guidance. What I do is to go and spend time with Him in a quiet place. I always make sure that I ask specific questions so there will be no room for interpretation on my side. I then ask for a scripture as confirmation about what I am feeling or sensing. I ask for a scripture reference and I look up any reference that springs to mind.

Many, many times the scripture reference makes no sense, but I do not lose heart, I silently keep waiting. When you receive a scripture reference from Him it will leave no room for doubt. Let me give you an example from my own experience:

A few years ago I started to doubt my calling in the ministry and I took it to God. My question was: God please confirm that I am called into the Ministry by giving me a scripture. I then waited for whatever scripture would pop into my mind. 1Ti 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who strengthened me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry floated into my mind. Seeno room for interpretation.

Many times I ask God for guidance and I receive nothing, zip , nada. Very frustrating. I then use the brain that God gave me and choose the option that seems best with the information that I have at that moment and I stand on Ps 37:23.

Sometimes the decisions I made turned out to be disastrous but later (sometimes years later) something happens that lets me see what the purpose was of the disaster and it aways turned out for good as Rom 8:28 testifies.

SO dont beat yourself up over it, ask God and if you dont get clear direction, do what you think is best and leave the rest to Him, Hell sort it out.

5/2/2009 9:28:22 PM by Chrisv, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/12/2009

Sorry, the last scentence is supposed to read "He will sort it out"

5/2/2009 9:31:49 PM by Chrisv, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/12/2009

Thanks for your reply Chris. Know that I do pray to Jesus for guidance every day, and for God's will to be revealed to me. As for scripture, I read the bible every day too, and He does speak to me through scripture sometimes. However, this is all so new to me, and I don't know the bible well enough yet to fully make sense of everything. (I am currently reading Romans, which I love)

Thanks for sharing your experience with me- you're right, no room for interpretation there!

I think the message is that perhaps it doesn't matter if I don't trust myself, as long as I put my trust and faith in Him to guide me.

D

5/3/2009 4:15:28 AM by Debora, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/26/2009

Yes Deb, you've got it. You just focus on getting to know Him and love Him and He will take care of the rest!

5/3/2009 8:05:02 AM by Chrisv, Member of Delve into Jesus since 3/12/2009

"And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will."
Romans 8:26-27

5/3/2009 1:24:18 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Thanks Mrspiggy,

My interpretation of that passage is that when we are feeling lost and in need of guidance, He knows what is in our hearts and will guide us according to His will. Am I close with that?


Chrisv,

When I picked up my bible last night a piece of paper fell out- I had noted this passage down months ago, but had completely forgotten about it:

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34


I think He is telling me not to worry about the future, but to place my trust in Him, His wisdom and His guidance. And I do! I feel so excited today about what He has planned for my life, and I know he will continue to open doors for me and show me the way. (I don't think it's just a coincidence that I stumbled across this website at this time in my life....)


Thank you both. :)

5/4/2009 4:26:59 AM by Debora, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/26/2009

Hi Deb,
It's wonderful to hear of your relationship with the Lord!
May you truly be blessed as you listen for His Voice,
and obey His will.
Here are some verses that came to mind as I read your post:

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Psalm 119:11

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Psalm 119:105

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Matthew 6:33

Following the Lord is exciting! You know you will never walk alone.
Keep pondering His Words.... They are words of truth, and very powerful! (A fountain of Life.)

5/4/2009 8:07:16 AM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Deb,

You are so close, you're on it.

5/4/2009 10:18:57 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008