Spiritual Discernment and Vocational Counseling
Spiritual Discernment and Vocational Counseling
Keisha Hairston
Liberty University
Abstract
Spiritual Discernment and Vocational Counseling
I. Personal Position
Based on the survey, the factors that are very important to me when making career decisions are:
*Praying for wisdom to make Godly decisions.
*Depending on a sense of inner peace from the Holy Spirit
*Judging the decision’s consistency with the character/ethics of Jesus.
*Considering personal strengths, talents, gifts, and abilities
*Recognizing and responding to the needs of others
The approach to spiritual discernment that I most closely relate to is the Practitioners of the Relationship-Formation Approach. The factors listed are the fundamental elements that I rely on for practically every decision. I believe that God gives us wisdom. The scriptures tell us to ask for wisdom and He will give it to us. It has been my personal experience that when I have taken the time to ask God for wisdom and waited on Him, He has directed my path. When I have done that, I have also received an inner sense of peace. I believe that the ultimate guide for us to follow as Christians is to parallel his character and ethics. It is my opinion that too many of us rely on factors that detract us from what God purposed for us, like how we should look or appear or what pleases others. Not judging the consistency of our decisions with the character of Christ opens the door to hypocrisy. I personally give my best effort to not be hypocritical. The two other decision making factors that are very important to me are considering the natural gifts and talents that God gave me and acknowledging how those gifts correlate with the needs of those around me. We are called to love God, love one another and serve the world.
II. Past & Present Influences
Upon reflection, I really can’t think of much in my childhood that had an influence on my approach to spiritual discernment. I grew up in the Catholic Church.
Keisha Hairston
Liberty University
Abstract
Spiritual Discernment and Vocational Counseling
I. Personal Position
Based on the survey, the factors that are very important to me when making career decisions are:
*Praying for wisdom to make Godly decisions.
*Depending on a sense of inner peace from the Holy Spirit
*Judging the decision’s consistency with the character/ethics of Jesus.
*Considering personal strengths, talents, gifts, and abilities
*Recognizing and responding to the needs of others
The approach to spiritual discernment that I most closely relate to is the Practitioners of the Relationship-Formation Approach. The factors listed are the fundamental elements that I rely on for practically every decision. I believe that God gives us wisdom. The scriptures tell us to ask for wisdom and He will give it to us. It has been my personal experience that when I have taken the time to ask God for wisdom and waited on Him, He has directed my path. When I have done that, I have also received an inner sense of peace. I believe that the ultimate guide for us to follow as Christians is to parallel his character and ethics. It is my opinion that too many of us rely on factors that detract us from what God purposed for us, like how we should look or appear or what pleases others. Not judging the consistency of our decisions with the character of Christ opens the door to hypocrisy. I personally give my best effort to not be hypocritical. The two other decision making factors that are very important to me are considering the natural gifts and talents that God gave me and acknowledging how those gifts correlate with the needs of those around me. We are called to love God, love one another and serve the world.
II. Past & Present Influences
Upon reflection, I really can’t think of much in my childhood that had an influence on my approach to spiritual discernment. I grew up in the Catholic Church.
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