Hello everyone, At the moment I'm in a bit of a dilemma, so I've been asking for guidance from my Higher Power and praying for his will (not my will). However I'm really struggling to hear the answers, I don't know if I'm just deaf to it or missing the point. How do you know where/when your Higher Power is guiding you? Thanks for reading, Lil

Hi Lil99, I have found that often I receive the answer to a dilemma when I am doing something else besides ruminating on the dilemma. I have gained clarity while taking a shower, taking a walk, or talking to an Al-Anon friend. When the answer comes, I feel it is the right one because I have the feeling of a weight being lifted off my shoulders.

I agree with what hotrod and Freetime shared.

Sometimes that guidance is my listening to that little tiny voice in my head. Often it's a "yes" or "no".

Am I going to be okay? "yes"

Should I... shouldn't I? "yes" or "no"

It feels awkward at times listening to that voice and then heeding it.

If you were watching me the other day, you'd probably have thought I was insane as I was in a shop that had this incredibly cute little jacket. It was fuzzy and looked warm, but it was thin, too. It was also pretty expensive. Not outside of my budget, but I was still not too sure about purchasing it. So i just asked myself... "should I get this jacket?" and I heard a "no". Still, I picked up the jacket and walked around the shop with it. Still I heard "don't get it". So I turned back to the rack the jacket was on, looking at it thinking, but it's SO cute! so I turned around again as though I was going to head to the register and again I heard "NO". So I finally turned back and put the jacket back on the rack and walked out of the shop. I was probably hilarious to watch. But that's a little example I can use for listening to that "still small voice within".

I also like Freetime's suggestion to turn my focus to something else. If I keep thinking about the problem it becomes bigger. My sponsor likes to say "all my problems die of neglect", so often the answer will come or the issue will resolve itself when I turn my focus to other things.

Finally, I've been experimenting with telling God that I don't do well with subtleties, so for some things I need a very CLEAR, CONCRETE sign or answer that is unmistakable. I tell you - when you ask, it will be given. Try it out.

Hope you get your answers!

Lil, my experience is similar to Aloha's. I fuss until I'm bored with the issue. Then inside I know what is right for me to do. I have a sense of all the components in a combination lock aligning to open the lock. Aha, that's it.
Now comes the important part for me: I don't second guess this God-given relief.
I think it is my way of doing as Betty describes.

My experience is also similar to Aloha's with an added connection to what Freetime shares. I am amazed at the clarity that seems to arrive for me when I am most quiet/still - sleep, nap, slower, walking....I do believe that is the God of my understanding providing direction and also don't second guess things.

Every morning, upon awakening, I consider my plans for the day. I remember a slogan I heard once - First Things First - so before I begin I ask God for guidance. I do a few readings, helps to quiet my racing thoughts. I have a little box next to my laptop, I call it a god box. After I do my readings I say OK God what would you like me to do today? I reach into my god box and pick out a word for today [ I have a bunch in there, words, slogans, whatever]. It's strange sometimes how the word or slogan has something to do with something I might be going through that day or the day before. Coincidence? Ah but isn't coincidence how God protects his or her anonymity. Sorry long-winded. I don't know if I answered the question or wandered off to answer one of my own.

I just wanted to to chime in that I love Wolfie's "AHA" moment:

"Ah, but isn't coincidence how God protects his or her anonymity?"

Brilliant!

TY!

Wishing calmness of thought for you, lLil99!

Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences so helpfully. Much appreciated. Lil