Did God Really Ask Me to Do This? Discernment When Life Gets Hard

When you say “yes” to something you genuinely believed God was asking of you—a mission trip, graduate school, even becoming a FOCUS missionary—what do you do when later everything feels too heavy, too complicated, or simply not what you expected? 

In this episode, Jessica sits down with Fr. John Ezratty to explore the tension between commitment, freedom, and discernment through the lens of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Together they walk through real situations missionaries and students face:

 • What if I discerned something well, but now I feel overwhelmed and want to step back?
• What if I didn’t pray about a commitment beforehand—am I still bound to it?
• Can difficult circumstances be a sign that God is redirecting me?
• How do I know when perseverance is holy… and when letting go is faithful?

Drawing from Ignatian wisdom, Fr. John offers practical steps, prayerful tools, and spiritual clarity for anyone wrestling with a “yes” that suddenly feels uncertain. Whether you’re tempted to break a commitment or unsure what God is communicating through your current season, this conversation will help you discern with peace, freedom, and maturity.

Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty is a priest with the Archdiocese of Denver. He is also a popular speaker at SEEK and a former FOCUS national chaplain.