It started with a weird dream.
Then I saw three hawks in a row.
Then my phone autocorrected “no” to “now.”
Clearly, God was speaking.
…or maybe I just had questionable sushi and a tired brain.
Let’s be real: trying to “discern God’s will” can feel like trying to decode some cryptic divine escape room. We want neon signs, skywriting, or at the very least, a holy nudge that doesn’t feel like indigestion.
So how do you tell if it’s God, your gut, or just gas?
Our Obsession with Signs
We’ve all done it.
“God, if you want me to text them back, let a blue car drive by.”
“God, if I’m supposed to take this job, make my coffee order come out wrong in a symbolic way.”
We laugh, but there’s a reason we crave signs: We want clarity. Direction. Divine assurance that we’re not about to blow it. And while God can speak through signs (He once used a burning bush and a talking donkey—so He’s clearly not limited), that’s not His usual method.
Because more often than not, God isn’t dropping cryptic clues. He’s inviting us into relationship.
God’s Will Isn’t a Tightrope
Somewhere along the way, many of us picked up this idea that God’s will is one perfect, skinny path. Miss one step, and you fall off into the abyss of Bad Decisions and Spiritual Regret. No pressure.
But here’s the truth:
God’s will is more like a field than a tightrope. There are boundaries (character, wisdom, love, truth), but there’s also freedom. He gave you a brain, a heart, a Spirit, and a community for a reason. He wants you to walk with Him, not be paralyzed waiting for the perfect “sign.”
So… How Do You Know?
If you’re in the middle of a decision right now, here’s a not-so-mystical checklist for seeking God’s direction:
- Does it align with Scripture? (God won’t lead you somewhere His Word doesn’t support.)
- Have you prayed—like, really? Not just “God, bless this thing I already decided,” but a quiet space to actually listen.
- What does wise counsel say? Talk to people who love Jesus and you.
- Do you feel peace—not the absence of fear, but the presence of calm courage?
- Is your desire shaped by love, not ego or escape?
And sometimes… you just won’t know for sure.
That’s okay.
God’s not testing you with a cosmic puzzle. He’s walking with you, even if you take a step before you're 100% certain. He’s big enough to redirect, redeem, or reroute your life if needed. You’re not powerful enough to ruin His plan.
Trust Over Technique
We can spend so much time trying to figure out God’s will that we forget to walk with Him. Sometimes, the clearest answer doesn’t come from decoding signs—it comes from trusting the character of the One leading us.
So yes, maybe you saw a triple rainbow while thinking about switching careers. Maybe that dream was from God. Or maybe you just ate bad sushi. Either way, He’s not playing hide and seek with your purpose.
Take the next step. Pray. Breathe. Walk forward.
He’s got you.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him,
and He will make your paths straight.”
– Proverbs 3:5–6
