Rachel Evans
Catholics are advised to make decisions through prayer and trust in God. This involves asking God for guidance and recognising God's presence in all that you do. The Ignatian framework for decision-making involves formulating a proposition, gathering relevant data, and bringing the gathered data to prayer. It is important to identify the decision that needs to be made, understand the situation and the probable consequences of each course of action, and then pray about the available options to see which option gives the greatest sense of God's peace. This process of discernment requires one to be in union with the Church and its values and principles, as well as to consult with those who will be affected by the decision. Ultimately, Catholics are encouraged to trust that God will help them make the right choice and to act on that decision.
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What You'll Learn
Trust in God's guidance
Trusting in God's guidance is a key part of the Catholic decision-making process. Catholics are encouraged to begin with a short prayer, asking God for help and to honour Him, their neighbour, and themselves through their decision.
This process of prayer and discernment is a way to build trust in God's guidance. It is a way to recognise God's presence and ask for His help. It is also a way to detach oneself from disordered attachments and self-centred attractions that might be influencing one's decision.
The Ignatian Framework for decision-making suggests a few steps to help with this process. Firstly, one must identify the decision that needs to be made and gather relevant data, including pros and cons. Secondly, one must bring this data to prayer, asking for freedom and openness to God's will and guidance. Thirdly, one must make a decision and act on it. Finally, one must evaluate their choice, asking themselves if their relationships with God and others have improved or worsened because of the choice they made.
Trusting in God's guidance does not come naturally to everyone. It can be difficult to let go of the decision-making process and trust that God will guide the process and the end result. However, Catholics are encouraged to keep trying, praying for help, and trusting that God is helping them make the right choice.
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Pray for freedom and openness
Catholics are encouraged to involve God in their decision-making process. This involves praying for freedom and openness to God.
Firstly, you should identify the decision that needs to be made. You should then gather the relevant data, which involves listing the pros and cons of your decision. You should also consider how your decision would affect your relationships with God, family, and friends. Take note of any inner leanings for each aspect of your decision, as these could indicate an attachment to one aspect of your decision that might complicate matters.
Next, bring the gathered data to prayer. Pray about the available options and ask God to help you see clearly which option will best honor and serve Him, your neighbor, and your true self. Ask for a deep love for God, for the people affected by the decision, and for yourself. Pray that no self-centered attraction or aversion about a choice will sidetrack you from what the Holy Spirit is pointing you to. Ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and get all the relevant specifics about the decision. Consult with everyone who will be intimately affected by the decision.
Pray for light about factors that inhibit freedom and openness to God. Beg God to help you detach from any disordered attachments that might be influencing you. These could include projections, inferiority complexes, superiority complexes, "shoulds" or "oughts" that tyrannize you, perfectionism, fears, materialistic greed, possessiveness, past hurts, self-pity, competitiveness, impatience, lust, ingratitude, irreverence, or a desire for control, power, status, or prestige.
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Consider the pros and cons
For Catholics, a firm belief and trust in God is supposed to be the basis of decision-making. The process of making moral decisions begins with an understanding of oneself as one of God's beloved children and a disciple of Christ.
When making a decision, it is important to first identify the decision that needs to be made and gather relevant data. This involves listing the pros and cons of each decision and considering how each option would affect your relationships with God, family, and friends. Take note of any inner leanings towards a particular decision, as these could indicate an attachment that might influence your decision-making process.
When evaluating the pros and cons of a decision, consider the following:
- Begin with a short prayer: Ask God to guide you in making your lists and help you see clearly what He chooses for you and what will best honor and serve Him, your neighbors, and your true self.
- List all the reasons: Write down all the reasons for and against a decision without prejudging their merit. You will evaluate them in the next step.
- Evaluate the reasons: Consider which advantages and disadvantages seem to be influenced by the Holy Spirit. Attempt to understand your motives and values, and spend considerable time on this step, especially for major life decisions.
- Pray for freedom and openness: If you find yourself fluctuating between consolation and desolation, return to this step and pray for freedom and openness to God.
- Live with the decision: Try living with the decision for a while to see if your thoughts, desires, and feelings continue to support it. If not, reevaluate and gather new data.
- Consider the impact on relationships: Think about how each decision will affect your relationships with God, family, and friends. Ensure that your decision aligns with your values and principles and promotes the development of right relationships marked by goodness, order, and life.
- Consult with experts: Seek advice from experts or individuals with experience in similar situations to understand the situation and probable consequences of each choice.
- Pray for guidance: Throughout the decision-making process, pray for guidance from God and the Holy Spirit, asking for a deep love for God, for those affected by the decision, and for yourself.
- Make a choice and act: After gathering information and praying, trust that God is helping you make the right choice. Act on your decision and evaluate your choice afterward. If you feel a sense of satisfaction and your relationships have improved, you have likely made a good choice.
Remember, there may not always be a "correct" decision, but by following these steps and trusting in God's guidance, you can make the best decision with the information you have available.
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Seek detachment from disordered attachments
Seeking detachment from disordered attachments is a crucial aspect of decision-making from a Catholic perspective. This process involves evaluating your attachments and ensuring they align with God's design and purpose.
Firstly, it's important to identify any inordinate or disordered attachments. These are emotional or psychological dependencies on people, objects, or activities that exceed what is considered reasonable according to God's design. For example, it can be unhealthy to be excessively attached to recreation, such as sports or video games, to the extent that it interferes with your responsibilities and relationships.
Once these disordered attachments are recognised, the next step is to detach from them. This doesn't mean avoiding relationships or activities altogether but rather ensuring that your description of a relationship is reciprocated and recognised by the other person. It's about finding a healthy balance and not letting your attachments control you or hinder your relationship with God.
To achieve this detachment, you can practice honesty before God, yourself, and others. Ask yourself if your attachments have become excessive and what steps you need to take to address them. This may involve spending less time on certain activities or seeking professional help to manage your attachments.
Additionally, prayer plays a vital role in seeking detachment. Pray for freedom and openness to God, asking for guidance in making decisions that honour Him and serve your true self. Through prayer, you can gain clarity on which attachments may be influencing your decisions and seek God's help in detaching from them.
Overall, seeking detachment from disordered attachments is about recognising unhealthy dependencies and realigning your focus to prioritise your relationship with God and make decisions that are in accordance with His will.
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Evaluate your choice
For Catholics, a firm belief and trust in God is supposed to be the basis of decision-making. The Ignatian framework for making a decision involves several steps, including formulating a proposition, gathering relevant data, and bringing the gathered data to prayer. After making a choice, it is important to evaluate that choice.
The evaluation process can involve several steps. Firstly, it is important to live with the decision for a while to see whether your thoughts, desires, and feelings continue to support it. If you feel a sense of satisfaction after acting on your choice, you have likely made a good choice. You can also evaluate your choice by examining how it has impacted your relationships with God and others. Ask yourself if these relationships have improved or worsened because of the choice you made.
Another aspect of evaluating your choice is to consider the motives and values behind your decision. This may involve spending considerable time in prayer and reflection to understand if your decision was influenced by the Holy Spirit or by disordered attachments and self-centred attractions. You can also evaluate your choice by considering the specific circumstances and how your decision aligns with your values and the principles taught by the Church community.
In some cases, it may be helpful to consult with experts to clearly understand the situation and the probable consequences of your decision. By evaluating your choice through these various lenses, you can gain insight into the quality of your decision and make any necessary adjustments.
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