Most of the decisions we make each day—what to wear, what to eat, what to listen to—come and go without much reflection. But then come the weightier moments. The decisions that carry deeper implications for our calling, our relationships, our finances, and our future.
As pastors and followers of Christ, we long to make choices that reflect God’s will, not just our preferences. Often, we turn to the “three green lights”—Scripture, circumstances, and peace—as signs that God is leading. But what happens when both options seem to align with those green lights? How do we discern what the Lord is truly inviting us into?
Pastor and author Peter Scazzero offers a framework that gently guides us when we’re discerning between two good paths. He reminds us:
“Think of your spiritual mentors, trusted friends, or family members who walk closely with Jesus and know you well.”
“God is more committed to leading you than you are to being led.”
Take a breath, quiet your heart, and walk slowly through these five pastoral questions. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak as you seek not just the best decision—but God’s decision.
1. How open am I to God’s will—truly?
On a scale of 1 to 10, how open is your heart to whatever God might say?
It’s one thing to say, “Lord, lead me,” and another to actually desire His direction over our own preferences. This question requires deep honesty. Do I want God's will—even if it stretches me, surprises me, or costs me something?
2. What do I sense God saying through my emotions?
God often speaks through our inner life. Are you noticing peace, joy, a sense of nearness to God (consolation)? Or do you feel anxious, heavy, distant, or disconnected (desolation)?
These feelings are not infallible—but they are worth paying attention to. They can reveal whether you're moving toward God or away from Him. Take time in silence. What do you feel as you picture each option? What do those emotions say about where God might be leading?
3. What wisdom am I receiving from others?
God often speaks through the people He’s placed in our lives. Think of your spiritual mentors, trusted friends, or family members who walk closely with Jesus and know you well.
Have you asked for their insight—not just to affirm you, but to speak truth in love? What patterns or cautions do they see? Who are 2–3 voices you can invite into this decision prayerfully?
4. What do I learn by imagining a “trial run”?
Imagine living for two weeks with each of your options. Walk through your daily life in your mind’s eye—relationships, responsibilities, rhythms of rest and work.
What rises up in you as you dwell in each imagined future? Joy? Dread? Peace? Anxiety? This process helps clarify what’s happening beneath the surface. Consider journaling or praying through what you notice during each “trial run.”
5. What does God’s design of me say?
Each of us has a unique “raw material”—a God-given wiring that includes our gifts, temperament, burdens, and passions. Which option aligns more closely with how God has designed you?
Are you choosing based on calling—or on fear, people-pleasing, or pressure? Which path allows you to live more fully into the person God has made you to be?
A Final Word of Encouragement
If you're wrestling with a hard decision, be encouraged: your desire to seek God in this process already honors Him.
You may not have a crystal-clear answer right away—but we serve a God who sees your heart, honors your seeking, and walks with you every step of the way. Even in uncertainty, His presence is steady. His voice is near. And His love is never in question.
Pray: Lord, I trust that You are with me. Guide my steps, give me clarity, and give me peace—not because I always know the answer, but because I know You.
