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Trust Your Inner Compass
How to Choose Discernment in Uncertain Times
Mark Patterson
31 Mar • Est. Reading Time: 6 minutes
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This week, we are continuing our head-on assault of fear-based thinking once again.
More Alignment, Please
You don't need more opinions, you need more alignment.
That's a counterintuitive truth in an era where expertise splinters and information multiplies daily. While most scramble to process the latest analysis, the leaders who thrive aren't those who react to every headline—they're those who move with clarity, even when the path ahead remains obscured.
Consider today's economy. Recent indicators reveal plummeting consumer confidence, surging credit card delinquencies, mounting business uncertainty, volatile trade policies, and rising inflation expectations. With GDP growth and employment rates under intense scrutiny, these warning signs can paralyze even seasoned leaders.
Here lies the tension: Do you wait for the storm to pass? Or do you act despite uncertainty—trusting that your chosen direction remains right?
That's where discernment becomes essential.
Discernment Is Not Ignoring the Facts
Let's be clear: Faith isn't denial. Discernment doesn't mean ignoring reality. Exceptional leaders read the room, track the data, and consult experts. But discernment helps you distinguish what's relevant to your mission from what's merely noise.
Discernment asks:
Is this information useful, or simply fear-inducing?
Does this align with my mission, or distract from it?
Is the risk I perceive real—or magnified by uncertainty?
It's not about pretending indicators don't exist. It's about recognizing which ones demand your attention.
Wisdom Over Worry
James 1:5 offers timeless guidance: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God... and it will be given."
That's discernment's essence. It's not simply making smart decisions, it's making aligned ones.
For those who don't consider themselves religious, alignment can also mean values-driven leadership. It asks:
What matters most to me?
What impact do I want to create?
What decision reflects who I am becoming?
Whether you call it intuition, gut, spirit, or wisdom, discernment means leading from your center.
Practicing Discernment in Uncertain Times
How do you practice discernment when everything feels unpredictable?
Pause Before You Decide. Don't let urgency dictate your response. Even 24 hours of reflection can transform panic into clarity.
Filter Inputs. You don't need countless voices filling your inbox. Identify those you trust to address your future, not merely your fears.
Name What You Know. List your certainties — your values, calling, and mission. Let these truths anchor you.
Ask Better Questions. Replace "What if this fails?" with "What does commitment to the process look like right now?"
Move with Peace, Not Proof. Discernment rarely comes with guarantees. Sometimes, inner peace provides your only confirmation.
In moments of economic turbulence, political discord, or personal crossroads, discernment becomes indispensable. You can't always predict outcomes, but you can align with what rings true. Whether contemplating a career shift, product launch or significant investment—the answer may transcend data alone.
Sometimes, your inner compass indicates the way forward.
The key is learning to trust it.
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If you are reading this far…
I hope this message finds you well. I’m sharing from my heart in hopes that you will be inspired to unearth and live out your God-given purpose. Hopefully, something I said resonated. I would love to hear from you if so. Please feel free to reach out to me on social media. FYI: I’m mostly active on Instagram these days. If you were forwarded this message, you can subscribe here to receive thoughts like this directly in your inbox. And don’t forget to check out the latest episode of my podcast, ConvoRoom with Mark Allen Patterson.
See you next week,
