We’ve all been there, unable to decide how to move forward on an important decision or a tough problem.
Maybe you’re facing a decision and simply can’t tell which choice is best, because they seem equally good. Or you’re trying to discern what God wants you to do about a particular challenge, but the way forward feels foggy. Perhaps someone you love—a spouse, child, family member, or friend—is wrestling with their own problem, spinning their wheels, and you’re not sure how to help.
You find yourself stuck in a mental loop, imagining all the “what if” scenarios: what if I choose this path and it backfires, or that path and it causes more harm? Sometimes both options seem equally bad, and you’re left feeling paralyzed.
As Dr. Greg and Lisa Popcak discussed on a recent episode of More2Life, our instinct in this situation is often to react—to do something, anything, just to make the discomfort stop.
Modern life almost demands that kind of instant reaction. As Lisa put it, “We’re conditioned to jump, fight, fix it, or flee from it.” From text messages and emails to arguments and stressful headlines, we get used to living in a constant state of urgency. But this reactive mindset can send us down the wrong path.
That’s where the practice of receptivity comes in.
Receptivity: More Than Just “Waiting”
Drawing from St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, the Popcaks reminded listeners that we are made not to be reactive, but receptive. This is not passivity or indecision. It is, as Lisa described, “an active openness to grace, truth, and connection to God and to others. It’s the ability to stop and breathe and ask, ‘God, what are you trying to show me here?’”
Receptivity means anchoring ourselves in our true identity as beloved sons and daughters of God. When we respond from that place, we’re not just reacting to the pain or pressure we feel in the moment. We’re responding to the way God is calling us to grow, and to how he might want to use this challenge to build his kingdom.
“Receptivity is the soil where true solutions grow, because it opens us up not just to what’s wrong, but what’s possible,” Greg said.
A Simple Process for Cultivating Receptivity
The Popcaks offered four steps for building this habit into daily life:
- Pray Before You Act. Even ten seconds of silent surrender (“Lord, show me what I need to see”) can make the difference between panic and peace.
- Practice Curiosity Over Judgment. Replace “Why is this happening to me?” with “What might God be inviting me to learn, change, or grow into?”
- Slow Your Body Down. “Remember: biology is theology, as far as the Theology of the Body is concerned,” Greg said. “When we slow our body down, our minds and hearts become more receptive to the movement of the Holy Spirit.” A short walk, a few deep breaths, or even sitting still for a minute can quiet your mind and open your heart.
- Make a Plan That Brings Out the Best in Everyone. Inspired by your prayerful reflection, make a plan to respond to the challenge “in a way that will really help you be your best, and challenge other people who are involved to be their best, too,” Greg said.
This process doesn’t remove the challenge, but it changes the way you carry it. It shifts the focus from fear-driven action to grace-filled discernment.
Our Problems Don’t Define Us
When we practice receptivity, we stop letting problems define us. Instead, our openness to grace shapes our response, and that can transform our lives. “Even our struggles can lead to a more abundant life,” Dr. Greg said.
It’s not about ignoring problems or avoiding hard choices. It’s about remembering that God is already present in the moment, ready to guide us. Our role is to slow down enough to notice his hand and respond to his prompting.
If you’re feeling lost in your own “desert,” try this: before your next big decision—or your next heated conversation—pause. Pray. Breathe. Ask God what He’s showing you. And watch how the desert begins to bloom.
For more practical tools for facing life’s challenges, check out The Life God Wants You to Have: Discovering the Divine Plan When Human Plans Fail. Or, for one-on-one guidance in applying receptivity to your life, connect with a pastoral counselor at CatholicCounselors.com today.
