Discernment is that fallible, intuitive gift we use in attempting to discriminate the course to which we are personally led by God in a given situation, from our other impulses and from the generalized judgments of conscience. Discernment is a gift from God, not a personal achievement. In a life lived with other priorities, the gift may be left underdeveloped. But as we grow and are faithful in the spiritual life we may well be given more.
Patricia Loring, 1992