Five signs of a real encounter with God

Q: How Can I Know If I’ve Really Encountered God’s Love Personally?

A:
A real encounter with God’s love is both deeply personal and unmistakably transformative. It may not always come with fireworks or dramatic emotion—but it always leaves lasting marks on the heart and life. Here are five key signs that point to a genuine experience of God’s love, followed by four ways to discern if it’s truly from Him.

---

Five Signs You’ve Encountered God’s Love

1. Inner Peace and Assurance

You experience a deep, unshakable sense of being loved and secure—even during trials. It’s not just surface-level calm or emotional joy, but the “peace of God that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

2. Conviction of Sin—Tempered by Mercy

You become aware of areas in your life that need change—but instead of crushing guilt, you sense God’s gentle invitation to grow. His love convicts without condemning.

3. Desire for God and Goodness

You feel drawn to prayer, Scripture, the Eucharist, and works of mercy—not because you “have to,” but because you want to. God becomes not a duty, but a delight.

4. Transformation in Relationships

You find yourself becoming more patient, forgiving, and sacrificial. Love overflows into how you treat others, and your priorities shift from self-interest to the good of those around you.

5. Perseverance Even in Dryness

Even when you don’t feel God’s presence, you continue in prayer, community, and the sacraments. You trust that His love remains, even when your emotions don’t.

---

How Can I Be Sure This Is Really From God?

Here are four time-tested ways to spiritually discern if your experience is a true encounter with God’s love.

1. Test by Scripture

Ask: Does this experience draw me deeper into Christ and His teachings? God’s love always aligns with the Gospel. “Every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” (1 John 4:2–3).

2. Examine the Fruits

Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). Lasting spiritual fruit—joy, patience, kindness (Galatians 5:22–23)—is a strong sign of authentic divine encounter.

3. Seek Spiritual Counsel

Bring your experience to a trusted priest, spiritual director, or mature believer. Outside perspective often confirms what God is doing internally.

4. Repeat and Reflect

Journal your experiences of prayer, consolation, and even dryness. Over time, patterns will emerge. A genuine encounter isn’t fleeting—it leaves a spiritual imprint that shapes your life.

---

A Brief Historical Insight on Discernment

• The Desert Fathers (4th Century):
  They taught that God often follows moments of consolation with periods of dryness—not as punishment, but as a way to detach us from relying on feelings alone.
  
• St. Ignatius of Loyola (16th Century):
  Through his Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius taught how to distinguish “consolation” (God’s loving presence) from “desolation” (spiritual discouragement), encouraging consistency in prayer through both.
  

---

Reflection & Discussion Prompt

“Think of a time you felt especially close to God. What lasting changes—big or small—did you notice afterward in your thoughts, actions, or relationships?”

We invite you to share your experience in the comments below. Your story might help someone else recognize God’s love in their own life.

Developed with assistance from ChatGPT