4 Helpful Rules for Discernment

4 Helpful Rules for Discernment

When we are discerning God’s will in our lives, we often get overwhelmed by the anxiety of making the right choice and don’t permit ourselves to consider what we actually want. In this video, Fr. Mike Schmitz encourages us to weigh all the choices that are open to us, good for us, wise, and desired by us. The last of the four is often overlooked, so Fr. Mike explains why it is just as important to pay attention to our heart’s desires as it is to consider the other three factors when we are discerning a decision.

Fr. Mike is also a presenter in the following programs from Ascension:

Belonging: Baptism in the Family of God (https://bit.ly/2vQgGRx)
Chosen: This is Your Catholic Faith (https://bit.ly/2nCKKLK)
Altaration: The Mystery of the Mass Revealed (https://bit.ly/2vG9KX2)
YOU: Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body (https://bit.ly/2raspVB)

44 Comments

  1. @pilotseye7687 on April 14, 2025 at 7:53 pm

    I didn’t know Jon Hamm’s twin was a preacher

  2. @jaylt5136 on April 14, 2025 at 7:53 pm

    I got a Halloween costume idea, The Joker. u cute tho

  3. @maureengeegan4691 on April 14, 2025 at 7:54 pm

    That is my greatest fear, separating myself from God by ignoring him, or being to afraid to take a chance.

  4. @joannedee5986 on April 14, 2025 at 7:55 pm

    Excellent! Thank you.

  5. @floydhalilintar2850 on April 14, 2025 at 8:00 pm

    thanks fr Mike, such a good compass

  6. @ruthortega5822 on April 14, 2025 at 8:00 pm

    I love listening yo you and your very wise ideas, Father Mike. I never know if I am doing the right thing, so am probably not. I always ask the Holy Spirit to give me wisdom and discernment. I have made many wrong decisions in my life, but I continue to live what I think is the best way for me. I do ask Jesus to show me his will for my life. I wait for his answer.

  7. @secretscarlet8249 on April 14, 2025 at 8:01 pm

    Thanks for this. I feel overwhelmed and scared of being hurt, but I also don’t want responsibilities because they feel too much. But I’ve been seriously thinking of pursuing a business so… having this set into words helps a lot.

  8. @thomasr7292 on April 14, 2025 at 8:01 pm

    Thanks Father, this was very helpful.

  9. @lif9774 on April 14, 2025 at 8:02 pm

    Thank you for your guidance

  10. @blancheb3533 on April 14, 2025 at 8:04 pm

    I don’t have a hard time discerning relationships but I have a lot of trouble discerning jobs/careers

  11. @hopeisgood631 on April 14, 2025 at 8:04 pm

    You have no idea how much this helped me. I pray God bless you. Thank you

  12. @hugomedina4526 on April 14, 2025 at 8:05 pm

    Thank you Fr. Mike, God bless you❤

  13. @ma.jeninafaithteruel2107 on April 14, 2025 at 8:06 pm

    2024 and am here! Thank you fr. Mike! God bless you and this channel.

  14. @gnugameing6714 on April 14, 2025 at 8:06 pm

    I have a girlfriend that has told me that she has started to think about potentially going into holy orders. She does not seem to be very sure though because she said she wants to put our relationship on pause while she fuigured this out. I of course would have a bias in this scenario. I want to make sure that Gods will be done before my own. The issue I’m facing is I’m not sure if my influence is me working as a tool for God to show her where she should be or If I am an obstacle. I think the correct answer is to just let her fuigure it out and stay back but I don’t know that this is what I should do. We are going to talk to a priest tomorrow. Does anyone have any advice? Preferably someone that’s in holy orders?

  15. @coldhank on April 14, 2025 at 8:08 pm

    You’re the first Father that I would actually say, "You’re cool."

  16. @KimMarie-i1w on April 14, 2025 at 8:08 pm

    Beware of the one that winks the eye.

  17. @DeShawn_Boone on April 14, 2025 at 8:09 pm

    I remember reading a book in a book I read a book once ctfu forgive that just made me feel like I gotta stop drinking coffee 777 but I am grateful for the advice

  18. @RAA12485 on April 14, 2025 at 8:09 pm

    This video gave me some much comfort. It really give me better perspectives on this.

  19. @josephvollaro4499 on April 14, 2025 at 8:11 pm

    THANKS FATHER MIKE! Once again you have explained something so well. I’m in my 60s now but never to late to learn something and try to improve. Wish i saw this video as a youth

  20. @kennethprather9633 on April 14, 2025 at 8:11 pm

    What does this have to do with discernment of spirits in people? Can you see the colors? Do you hear Jesus?

  21. @moxoxol on April 14, 2025 at 8:13 pm

  22. @mairacarvalho348 on April 14, 2025 at 8:14 pm

  23. @TheodoreKanczurzewski on April 14, 2025 at 8:14 pm

    This has been very helpful. And I can say I am struggling right now… really struggling. I am discerning going into the Seminary. I’ve been in a serious relationship for 2 and a half years, and this is the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, it hurts a lot.

  24. @thegarlaki199 on April 14, 2025 at 8:16 pm

    Thank you Father, very enlightening.

  25. @greentorm5467 on April 14, 2025 at 8:19 pm

    I can’t discern, I have very poor capacity to apply common sense in life and a series of bad choices haunt me.

  26. @lizavaz3042 on April 14, 2025 at 8:21 pm

    Fr rob I wrote my name on your heart fr rob paper frigle heart words I love you I remove your shame made you free fr rob I chaged your life

  27. @anthonyzouki on April 14, 2025 at 8:22 pm

    Thank you father mike! ❤

  28. @malc314_ on April 14, 2025 at 8:24 pm

    Worldly vs Unworldly

  29. @OluwadamisiAgosu on April 14, 2025 at 8:25 pm

    Thank you, very helpful pieces of advice. Is it a good, open and wise door? And do I want to go down this door? The need to take responsibility for your decisions is true, I used to shy away from taking decisions though.

  30. @gabo1841997 on April 14, 2025 at 8:33 pm

    I really struggle with discernment with my business and relationship decisions.

    I want to do God’s will at all times.

    But I do struggle with choices and will.

  31. @claytown24 on April 14, 2025 at 8:34 pm

    Needed this word tonight- Thank you, Fr. Mike. God bless brother.

  32. @TrayTray-d3g on April 14, 2025 at 8:34 pm

    Snooze for the confession from Emeryville zenith TV. 59263727Lccn

    5:15

  33. @joyceempremiado6514 on April 14, 2025 at 8:36 pm

    Discernment/ prudence is also important in how we give our impression of others.

  34. @somethingwitty44 on April 14, 2025 at 8:37 pm

    Discernment from a CATHOLIC priest? That’s like leaving your child with a catholic priest.

  35. @nextleveljoel on April 14, 2025 at 8:37 pm

    Discernment is extremely important. Something I am practising more this year.

  36. @raquelashantae on April 14, 2025 at 8:38 pm

  37. @jnccg on April 14, 2025 at 8:39 pm

    as someone who is discerning a big decision…this is a big help, a great relief and a point of reflection

  38. @wacawaca3 on April 14, 2025 at 8:42 pm

    This is what I needed. Thanks and God bless you.
    Att: an ex atheist.

  39. @ezraallainmendoza on April 14, 2025 at 8:42 pm

    I love the last part.

    "Even if you make the wrong decision even after asking all those decisions, the Lord STILL will be with you. And He always provides a way to get back on track."

    This is so reassuring, especially for someone like me who always doubts themselves and their own decisions; who always rely on God’s voice. But there are times in my life when I feel like I don’t hear Him as much, or clearly; or maybe I did but I just didn’t like His answer. So I seek out the answers for myself and try to see if what I want to believe is what God wants for me.

    Hearing this statement allowed me to not be scared, because knowing that even if I make mistakes, or make the wrong decision, I know my God will still love me, and will still accept me no matter what.

  40. @ProphetseerJuan-sh1ri on April 14, 2025 at 8:43 pm

    How can’t be discern?

  41. @magdaeugenia1125 on April 14, 2025 at 8:43 pm

    Father Mike, you’re really hit on the point. I often say to God, ‘Your will be done, it’s up to You God. " Because i don’t want to take the responsibility of my choices. Thank you father Mike, this is what God want me to know.

  42. @joyceempremiado6514 on April 14, 2025 at 8:47 pm

    Discernment/ prudence is also important in how we give our impression of others.

  43. @docgillygun9531 on April 14, 2025 at 8:47 pm

    The Eureka moment for me in this video as I struggle badly with discerning what is mine as a free willed person that should pick up their cross and bare my responsibility vs when I need to give it up to the Lord is when Fr. Mike says "you are free to make whatever decision you choose and know that God will be there to support you on the other side of it." WOW. What a clarity moment.

  44. @BarriVibes on April 14, 2025 at 8:48 pm

    You helped a lot

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