Discernment is a process by means of which I seek to recognise what God is asking of me, either in a particular situation, or in choosing the direction of my life. The will of God is not seen as something I have to put up with, but something which is essentially good and for my good. It is never a choice between good and evil, because in that there is no choice for a person of faith. It is a decision between two possibilities, both of which are good. On the surface we are often aware of conflicting feelings, and we feel pulled in different directions.
Discernment is about getting beneath the surface, to become aware of our deepest heart wishes.
God doesn't play games with us. If I am genuinely open to what God wants, then my deepest heart wishes will be in keeping with his plan. There is a basic principle which lies at the heart of Christian living, no matter what our particular vocation is. It is clearly stated by St. Ignatius Loyola at the beginning of his Spiritual Exercises . And the other things on the face of the earth are created for man and that they may help him in prosecuting the end for which he is created.