What Are The Signs of God’s Calling? 5 Ways to Know

I recall different nights early before taking up my ministerial call when I lay awake, staring at the ceiling fan spinning in the darkness. I felt a persistent, almost annoying tug in my spirit that there had to be more to my life than what I was currently doing. It wasn’t that I was unhappy; I was just troubled, asking myself different questions like, “Is this all my life has to offer?”. I felt like a runner standing at the starting line, waiting for a gun that never went off.

You might be there right now. You are asking your pastor, searching the Scriptures, and tarrying in prayer with a burning question: “What are the signs of God’s calling?” Most especially in your life.

The fear of missing out on God’s will is a heavy burden. We worry that if we take the wrong job, marry the wrong person, or move to the wrong city, we will somehow derail God’s plan for our lives. But after years of studying Scripture and fellowshipping alongside other believers with these exact questions, I can tell you this: God is not playing hide-and-seek with your destiny. He desires to reveal His will to you more than you desire to find it.

In Jeremiah 29:11, God assures us, “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to give you a hope and a future.” If you are asking, “What are the signs of God’s calling?”, it is likely because the Holy Spirit is already at work in you, preparing you for a divine assignment that only you can fulfill.

In this publication, I will walk you through the biblical evidence for what are the signs of God’s calling. We will move past emotional impulses and look for concrete, scriptural proof to answer the question that bothers you..

The General Call and The Specific Call

Before we try to answer what the signs of God’s calling are for your specific job or ministry, we must first establish a critical clarity. In my experience, 90% of the confusion comes from mixing up the General Call and the Specific Call.

The General Call

Every believer has already received this. It is the call to salvation, sanctification, and service. Jesus made this clear in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). You do not need to pray about whether you should share the Gospel, love your neighbor, or live a holy life. That is the General Call. If you are waiting for a lightning bolt to tell you to serve your local church, you are going to wait for a way longer time. You are already called to that.

The Specific Call

This is the unique assignment God has for you, your purpose here on earth – the specific role you play in the Body of Christ. This is what we mean when we ask, “What are the signs of God’s calling?” Just as Bezalel was specifically called to be a craftsman (Exodus 31) and Jeremiah was called to be a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1), God has a specific lane for you.

Once you are walking in obedience to the General Call, you are positioned to receive the answer to what are the signs of God’s calling for your personal life.

1. You Experience Discontent

When people ask me how to find their purpose, I usually ask them, “What makes you cry?” or “What makes you angry?”

When looking for what are the signs of God’s calling, do not just look at what excites you. Look at what disturbs you. A “holy discontent” is a burden that God places on your heart for a specific problem in the world. It is a heaviness that you cannot shake off.

Consider the story of Nehemiah. He had a cushy government job as the cupbearer to the King. But when he heard that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, he didn’t just shrug it off. Nehemiah 1:4 says, “So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days.”

Why did Nehemiah weep while others were content? Because God had placed a calling on his life to rebuild those walls.

Nehemiah

• The Problem: The walls of Jerusalem were in ruins, leaving the people vulnerable and disgraced.
• The Sign: Nehemiah felt a personal responsibility for a public problem. He wasn’t a mason or an architect; he was a cupbearer. But the burden was the sign.
• The Outcome: He utilized his position of influence to gather resources and led the rebuilding effort, completing the wall in 52 days.
• The Lesson: Your calling often hides inside the thing that frustrates you the most about the world. If you are agonizing over a specific issue – whether it is the state of youth ministry or the plight of the homeless – that burden is the Holy Spirit answering what are the signs of God’s calling.

2. Your Spiritual Gifts Align with the Need

God is a strategic planner. He does not call you to a task without equipping you for it. Therefore, when you ask, “What are the signs of God’s calling?”, you must look at the tools He has already placed in your hands – your stewardship.

Romans 12:6-8 reminds us, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.”

If you feel called to preach but have no ability to communicate, or called to worship leading but cannot align or pick a tune, you need to pause. While God can grow us, His calling typically aligns with His design. He creates you with the potential for the purpose.

Moses

• The Problem: God wanted to deliver Israel from Egypt.
• The Sign: Moses felt inadequate. He told God, “I am slow of speech and slow of tongue” (Exodus 4:10).
• The Reality: Despite Moses’ insecurity, he had been raised in Pharaoh’s palace. He knew the culture, the language, and the political system of Egypt better than any other Hebrew. His upbringing was his preparation.
• The Lesson: You might feel unqualified, but look at your history. God often uses your past experiences, education, and even your failures to equip you for your future. When discovering what are the signs of God’s calling, look for the intersection of your history and God’s mystery.

3. Rejection by the World and Spiritual Battles

This is the sign most people miss. We tend to assume that if God is calling us, the door will swing wide open, the funding will appear instantly, and everyone will applaud. However, Scripture teaches that signs of God’s calling often include resistance from people and the kingdom of darkness, which should not to be neglected.

Jesus told His disciples in John 15:19, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world… therefore the world hates you.”

The enemy does not waste ammunition on empty targets. If you are stepping into a divine assignment, you become a threat to the kingdom of darkness. Consequently, you may face unusual spiritual attacks, sudden relationship conflicts, or inexplicable barriers.

Joseph

• The Problem: God called Joseph to be a ruler and a preserver of life.
• The Sign: His calling was met with immediate hostility. His brothers hated him. He was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, and falsely imprisoned.
• The Outcome: Each rejection was actually a redirection that moved him geographically closer to Pharaoh’s palace.
• The Lesson: Do not interpret opposition as a “No” from God. Sometimes, the intensity of the battle is the clearest confirmation of the value of the calling. If you are facing resistance, it might be one of the surest answers to what are the signs of God’s calling.

4. Confirmation from the Body of Christ

We are not meant to be “Lone Ranger” Christians. A true calling is rarely isolated. It is almost always confirmed by other believers who walk in wisdom.

In Acts 13:2, the Holy Spirit spoke to the leaders of the church at Antioch, saying, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Notice that the calling was confirmed by the group, not just felt privately by Paul.

If you are truly wondering what are the signs of God’s calling, ask mature believers around you:

• “What gifts do you see in me?”
• “Do you sense God leading me in this direction?”

Proverbs 11:14 tells us that “in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” If you believe you are called to be a teacher, but no one in your church thinks you have the gift of teaching, you need to listen to that feedback.

5. Divine Peace of Mind

Finally, one of the most powerful indicators of what are the signs of God’s calling is the peace of God.

Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” The Greek word for “rule” here is brabeuo, which means to act as an umpire or a referee. When you are stepping into God’s will, even if the task is frightening, there will be a deep peace in your spirit.

God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). If you feel frantic, rushed, or chaotic, that is rarely the voice of God. But if you feel a steady, quiet assurance despite the logic of the world saying otherwise, you are likely discovering what are the signs of God’s calling.

Conclusion: Your “Yes” Changes Everything

Ultimately, understanding what are the signs of God’s calling requires a step of faith. You may not see the entire staircase, but God is asking you to take the first step.

Don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you. Look for the spiritual or holy discontent, check your spiritual gifts, seek godly counsel, and follow the peace of God. When you hear His voice, be like Isaiah, who simply responded: “Here am I! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to the most common questions I receive from believers trying to discern their path.

Can I miss my calling if I make a mistake?

It is a common fear that one wrong turn will ruin God’s plan. However, Romans 11:29 tells us, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Jonah ran in the opposite direction of his calling, but God, in His providence, redirected him. If you are worried about what the signs of God’s calling are because of past mistakes, rest in the truth that God is bigger than your failures.

How do I know if God is calling me to ministry or a secular job?

This distinction often causes confusion. The truth is, every Christian is in full-time ministry. You might be a “minister” disguised as an accountant, a teacher, or a stay-at-home mom. When asking what are the signs of God’s calling, look for where you can best serve people and glorify God. Colossians 3:23 commands us to work heartily “as to the Lord,” regardless of the job title.

What are the 5 types of calling in the Bible?

People often ask this in reference to the “Five-Fold Ministry” found in Ephesians 4:11: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers. While not everyone is called to these specific offices, understanding them can help you identify what are the signs of God’s calling on your life. Are you a builder (Apostle)? A shepherd (Pastor)? A truth-teller (Prophet)?

Why is God waiting to reveal my calling?

If you are asking “What are the signs of God’s calling?” and receiving silence, you may be in a season of preparation. Moses spent 40 years in the desert before the burning bush. David spent years tending sheep before taking the throne. God is often more interested in building your character than releasing your calling. Trust His timing.