I always test the spirits. I learned that a long time ago. Nothing He has ever said to me was against scripture or was anything negative. I used to keep a journal but admit to being lazier now than I was then. It was a great spiritual exercise and I may try it again. It's good to see things in print. Later, when they pan out, it's fun to read what I wrote early on.
I've had to trust God for many things, including two heart attacks, diabetic problems, and kidney failure, three kids screwing up their lives (one has returned to the Lord, thank God), an alcoholic husband who died way too young, siblings who died of alcoholism-related illnesses, etc., etc. He has given me the grace to go through it all without bitterness and I'm doing better than ever. He's blessed me with a Christian husband who can't do enough for me, and a church that's always there when anyone needs anything. I've retired from 28 years of working in the same place, with a decent pension, great health benefits, good friends, and we're living the same as we were before we retired. God is good.
Me neither. He has opened a way of thinking that is not in contradiction to the Scriptures or the teachings of the Church. If "he" did so, I would know it was not from God. I used to keep a journal but admit to being lazier now than I was then. It was a great spiritual exercise and I may try it again. It's good to see things in print. Later, when they pan out, it's fun to read what I wrote early on.
Another thing to try (that I have also gotten lazy on, but it did work pretty well) was to daily document how many times you sinned in a particular manner. Say you would like to become less angry. Two or three times a day, you would sit down and think over that portion of the day and see how many times you were subject to possible outbursts of anger - but did not OR how many times you DID respond with anger in any form. Keep a running total. After about two weeks, I began to see a resistance forming against that particular sin. But as you said, it takes some effort... That is from St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Sounds like you have lived a full life and that God was there every step of the way. It is good to look back and see God's work in one's life.
Regards