Justin Buzzard has an excellent post, with the relevant quote available as a PDF, on what he calls “The Most Helpful Thing I’ve Ever Read About God’s Guidance” from D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones advising his daughter when she was seeking to know God’s will. It is taken from Volume 2 of Iain Murray’s excellent bio (p.177):
These are the rules which I would advise you to observe:
1. Never speak to anyone about it. Don’t tell people what you are feeling and discuss it and ask for advice. That always leads to still more uncertainty and confusion. Make an absolute rule of this at all costs. Say nothing until you are absolutely certain, because we are all subject to self suggestion.2. Do not even think about it and discuss the pros and cons with yourself. Once more this leads to auto suggestion and confusion.
3. In meetings, etc., do not start with the thought in your mind, ‘I wonder whether this is going to throw light on my question or help in any way?’
4. In other words, you must not try to anticipate God’s leading. Believing as I do that God does ‘call’ very definitely, and in a distinct and definite doctrine of a call, and a vocation is distinct from the ‘need is the call’ idea, I believe that God will always make His will and His way plain and clear. With reverence, therefore, I
say leave it to God entirely as regards purpose, time and all else.All you have to do is to tell God that you are content to do His will whatever it may be and, more, that you will rejoice to do His will. Surrender yourself, your life, your future entirely to Him and leave it at that… You must not go on asking God to show you His way. Leave it to Him and refuse to consider it until He makes it impossible for you not to do so.