Does God speak this way?

[ViaCrucis]

Thank you so much for your reply. Confirmation bias does sound pretty relevant; it can still be hard though to realize the difference when the things that you're fixated on seem to happen right when you're thinking of them!

When we are trying to figure out God's will by looking at everything around us, like our own thoughts, feelings, or various happenstances, we'll drive ourselves mad. The fact of the matter is that in the vast majority of circumstances there isn't a single outcome that is "the will of God". God's will is already clearly told us in Scripture. And that means that our work here and now is to abide in the word of God, and let the word to shape our conscience, and apply our conscience and best discernment to life's many possibilities. Does God want you to be a missionary? A doctor? A construction worker? What God wants you to be is a Christian. Do you want to be a missionary? Do you want to be a doctor? Do you want to be a construction worker? Whatever you choose, do it with love, do it with kindness, do it with faith.

What God wants is for you to trust Him, what God wants is for you to love your neighbor.

You don't have to try and divine the will of God by looking to the stars, or trying to find coincidences; God's will is made plain and obvious in His word: trust in Jesus, take up your cross and follow Him, love your neighbor. None of us knows what the future holds, but our Lord reminds us to worry not about tomorrow, for today has enough problems of its own.

-CryptoLutheran