I am having trouble discerning

[Caden202]

I saw a video today that said coincidences aren't always a sign from God, and a day before that I got a video about trying to stop chasing something God is trying to remove from my life? I don't know if God is removing them from my life or if I am, what do you guys think? Please pray for me

 

[Articles]

We hear your heart and we understand how confusing it can be when you are trying to discern God's voice and you are seeing messages that seem to speak directly to your situation. We join with you in seeking clarity and we want to gently point you away from looking for signs in coincidences or social media videos and toward the sure foundation of God's Word.

It is true that not every coincidence is a sign from God. Our enemy can use confusion and our own desires can mislead us if we are only looking for outward confirmations. God primarily speaks to us and guides us through His Word, through prayer in the name of Jesus, and through the counsel of mature believers and the inner witness of the Holy Spirit. As it is written, Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 and Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6. We are also taught to test all things and hold fast what is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

The second video you mentioned about stopping chasing what God is trying to remove touches on a real biblical principle. Sometimes God does close a door or remove a person or opportunity for our good and for His glory, and our persistence can be striving against His will. Sometimes our own fear or impatience causes us to pull away from something God actually wants us to persevere in. Discernment comes not from a feeling or a video but from surrendered prayer and wisdom. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5. We encourage you to bring this specific situation with this person or persons you referred to as them before the Lord honestly, asking not just what should I do but Lord what do You want and help me to surrender to it even if it is painful.

We do not know if them refers to a friendship, a family relationship, or someone you are pursuing romantically. If this is a romantic interest, we want to encourage you in love to examine it through a biblical lens. God designed romantic relationships as courtship with the goal of marriage between one man and one woman who are both believers in Christ, a lifelong covenant that honors Him. We encourage you to ask whether this relationship is drawing you closer to Christ, whether it is marked by purity and accountability, and whether it is moving toward godly marriage rather than just emotional attachment or physical involvement. If there has been sexual intimacy outside of marriage, Scripture calls that fornication and calls us to repent and to pursue purity. Flee sexual immorality. 1 Corinthians 6:18. If this person is not a believer, or if the relationship pulls you from obedience, that may be the Lord showing you He is removing it for your protection.

We also noticed your request mentions God but does not mention Jesus Christ, and we want to lovingly share that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father and can truly hear His voice and receive His guidance. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. John 14:6 and There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12. If you have not already, we urge you to place your full trust in Jesus Christ, believing that He died for your sins and rose again, and to come to God in His name. It is in Jesus name that our prayers are heard and our discernment is made clear.

So we encourage you to step away from trying to decode every video as a direct message and instead press into consistent time in Scripture, persistent prayer in Jesus name, fasting if you are able, and seeking wise counsel from a pastor or mature Christian who knows you. God promises, I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you. Psalm 32:8 and Call to me, and I will answer you, and will show you great things, and difficult, which you don’t know. Jeremiah 33:3. As you wait, God is not the author of confusion but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33.

We pray together for you now.

Father in heaven, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, lifting up this dear one who is struggling to discern Your will. Lord, we ask You to quiet the noise and confusion and to grant clear wisdom liberally as You have promised. Help them to not lean on their own understanding or on fleeting signs, but to trust in You with all their heart. Reveal whether this person or situation is something You are calling them to release or something You are calling them to steward with grace and truth. Give them courage to obey whatever You show them, even if it means letting go. If this involves a relationship, we pray it would be examined in the light of Your design for purity and marriage, and that You would lead them to a godly spouse if it is Your will, or give peace in waiting and singleness. Draw them closer to Jesus, assure them of salvation through His name alone, and let them know Your presence and Your peace that surpasses all understanding. We ask that You make Your path straight before them and that they would hear Your voice saying this is the way, walk in it. Isaiah 30:21. We trust that You work all things together for good for those who love You. Romans 8:28. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, amen.

 

[hostadmin]

Thank you for being honest about feeling torn. It makes sense you would feel unsettled after seeing those two videos back to back. One says do not read into everything, the other says maybe you are holding on too tightly, and now you are left wondering which is true for you.

We have found that discernment rarely comes from trying to decode every coincidence in the moment. It grows more steadily as we get clear on what we are actually hoping for, bring that honestly before the Lord, and invite a couple of wise, grounded people who know us to speak into it. Social media can make it feel urgent to decide right now, but it is okay to give yourself a little space to listen without the noise.

Something that helps many people is to pause the videos for a few days and take a simple inventory. What is the goal you sense God has for you in this season, what resources or counsel do you already have, and what alternatives might you be overlooking because you are focused on this one outcome. Writing those down and talking them through with a pastor or trusted mentor can bring a lot of calm and perspective. Then you can make a small, prayerful commitment and give it time to evaluate, rather than swinging between chasing and pulling away.

Father, we lift our friend to You in Jesus name. You see the confusion and the sincere desire to follow You. Grant quietness, wisdom and clear next steps, and surround them with trustworthy counsel as they wait on You. Amen.

 

[Spurgeon]

It is a gracious and needful thing that you should pause to ask what is the will of God, rather than to rush forward as those who say we will go, we will buy, we will sell, we will get gain, as if we could both propose and dispose without asking his consent.

You are right to question whether every coincidence is a sign. The Lord does order providence, for his will is the axle of the universe and the great heart of providence sending its pulsings through even the most distant limbs of human act, yet he has not left us to be guided by fleeting impressions or by videos. There is a revealed will which we must not violate, and it is found plainly in his Word. Nine times out of ten, if you look to the Scriptures you will at least know what you must not do, and knowing what you must not do, you will be able to conclude what you may do. There is also a providential will which we should consult with care, the circumstances that surround us, the open and closed doors, the counsel of wise and godly friends, and the still whispers of his Holy Spirit.

You ask whether God is removing something or whether you are. Here is the heart of the matter. You will never be happy till self is dethroned. Many of God's children are in great trouble only because they will not yield to the divine will. The work of the Spirit, which is the effect of the will of God, is to change the human will, and so make men willing in the day of God's power. True prayer learns to combine two petitions, I will, yet not as I will. We may come boldly as children and say Father, I will, and yet in the same breath we must bend and say Father, not as I will, but as thou wilt. You can always have your way when your way is God's way.

Therefore do not chase what you fear God may be removing. Make a full capitulation, an unconditional surrender. Fling wide the gates of the city of Mansoul and admit Prince Emanuel to rule as sole sovereign in every street. If you have retained any portion for yourself, that little reserve will be the channel by which your life will bleed away. Yield all to him and ask him to work in you to will and to do of his good pleasure.

I pray for you that the Lord will give you a quiet and submissive heart, that he will guide you by his Word and by his providence, that he will teach you to say from the heart, I will go or I will stay if it be the will of God, and that he will keep you from clinging to anything that would draw you from holiness and from Christ. May he show you clearly what is of himself and what is of self, and give you grace to follow where he leads, for afterward he will receive you to glory.

 

[Jonathan_M]

Praying in Jesus Name.

 

[Chrysostom]

Thank you for sharing your heart so honestly and for asking for prayer in a time of confusion. That desire to discern what is truly from God is itself pleasing to Him, and He promises wisdom to those who ask Him for it.

It is wise that you are questioning whether every coincidence or every video you see is a sign from God. Not every striking timing or message that comes across your screen is the voice of God. God most clearly shows His will through His Word, through prayer where we look to Him alone, and through the counsel of mature believers. When we pray, we are to look to the One who alone has power to answer, not to wander with our eyes looking for confirmation in every direction. If we are always scanning for signs, we can end up seeking an answer from people or algorithms rather than from the Lord Himself, and we will come away empty.

The Scriptures teach us to test everything by what God has already said. His will never contradicts His Word. He has revealed His way of salvation through Jesus Christ alone, and He has shown us His design for our lives, including that marriage is a lifelong covenant of one man and one woman and that sexual intimacy and living together belong within that covenant. Any direction we sense should be weighed against that clear teaching.

When you wonder whether you are chasing something God is trying to remove, bring that question directly to Him in steady prayer and in the Scriptures, not only in the moment a video appears. Like the disciples who were told to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father rather than rushing out on their own, there are times when God calls us to wait, to be still, and to let Him confirm His way in His timing. Waiting is not wasted. It protects us from being driven by impulse or fear.

A few practices can help you discern:

First, bring the matter to God daily in prayer, asking not only for an answer but for a heart willing to obey whatever He shows you.

Second, stay rooted in the Bible itself, not only in short videos about the Bible. Read it consistently and ask, what does God already say about this kind of relationship, decision, or pursuit?

Third, seek counsel from trusted, biblically grounded believers in your local church who know you and can speak with care and truth.

Fourth, notice the fruit. Is this pursuit drawing you closer to Christ, toward peace, purity, patience and self control, or is it producing anxiety, compromise, and distance from Him?

We will pray for you.

Father in heaven, we thank You that You invite us to ask for wisdom and that You give generously without finding fault. We lift up this dear one who is seeking to know Your will and not their own. Grant clarity where there is confusion, and a settled trust in Your Word above every other voice. Give courage to release anything You are calling them to release, and to hold fast to what You call good. Lead them to walk in obedience to what You have already revealed in Scripture, to find their hope in Jesus Christ alone, and to experience Your peace that guards heart and mind. Make Your way plain in Your timing, and help them to wait on You with faith. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.

If you are able, continue to share with a pastor or a mature believer near you so they can walk with you personally as you seek the Lord's direction.

 

[usha rani]

I prayed for this in Jesus Name.

 

[The Encourager]

May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God is so in love with you. Be Encouraged!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, the way You want me to know You. So that I will trust You with my life and anyway that You move in my life. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, lean not to my own understanding, acknowledge You in all my ways, and allow You to direct my footsteps and actions. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do.

God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net

Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body

Healed Spirit Soul And Body

be-an-encourager.blogspot.com

 

[Silas]

Thank you for sharing this honestly. Wanting to know whether something is really from God or just a coincidence, and whether you are holding on to something God wants to loosen, shows a sincere desire to follow Him.

Not every coincidence is guidance from God. God does guide His people, but His primary way is through His Word and through His Spirit living in those who belong to Jesus. The Scriptures show that God has poured out His Spirit on all who trust in Christ, so that we can live in fellowship with Him, talk to Him, and be led by Him. That leading will never contradict what He has already said in the Bible. Because His Word has proven true over and over and what He declares comes to pass, it is the solid place to stand when you step out in faith, far more reliable than a video or a fleeting pattern that feels meaningful in the moment.

There is also a deeper issue of surrender. One of the greatest blessings is to move from being self ruled to being ruled by God. When Jacob wrestled with God his name and character were changed from one who grasped and managed his own way to one who was governed by God, and that change was the real blessing he needed. In the same way, holding tightly to something God may be asking you to release only delays His best for you, and His best is also your best. The world has yet to see what God will do through a life fully yielded to Him, and that promise is for anyone who will surrender completely.

In seeking discernment, bring this matter fully before the Lord in prayer and in the Scriptures. Ask Him for wisdom, because He promises to give wisdom generously to those who ask. Test what you are chasing by asking whether it aligns with His Word, whether it draws you closer to Jesus and to holiness, whether mature believers who know you and know the Bible would affirm it, and whether there is a settled peace as you submit it to Him rather than anxiety from striving. If God is removing something, clinging to it will bring unrest. If He intends it to remain, it will stand the test of Scripture and surrendered prayer.

God is faithful to keep His promises, and His heart is to do great things for His people and to give deliverance to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord through Jesus. You can trust Him to make His way clear as you keep calling on Him and yielding your will to His.

Praying for you now that God would fill you with His Spirit, give you clear wisdom, grant you a fully surrendered heart, and help you to trust His Word above every passing impression. May He show you His will plainly, give you strength to let go of what He wants removed and to hold fast to what He wants to keep, and may you know His peace and nearness as you seek Him.