Hearing God
God is that you? Sometimes he speaks as clear as day, and sometimes you’re left questioning if that was him or you. And if you’re new or just coming back to Christ, then you may be asking yourself why you don’t hear him at all.
God is always calling out to us, trying to reach us, so don’t ever think he doesn’t want to talk to you. You just need to fine tune your ear to hear him and open your heart to receive him. Here are 7 things that I have learned on my journey that helped me (and continue to help me) hear God more clearly.
1. Fasting and Prayer
I feel like fasting gives me a personal hotline directly to God, I am sacrificing my flesh and my desires, and I am seeking HIM, ain’t no DND or sleep mode - that phone is ringing loudly right next to his ear and he is picking up immediately.
Fasting is about giving God glory, it is denying yourself and taking up your cross. It is relying on him for sustenance because Jesus is the bread of life (John 6:35). It is setting your own pride and desire aside and putting him first. Because when you fast, it is not enough to just abstain from food, you must choose to fill that time [that you would’ve been eating] with God. Humble yourself, seek him and his guidance, go into your secret place, pray fervently and receive your manna (Deu 8:3), allow God to speak and fill you with the holy spirit.
2. Quite time
When I am in prayer, I must admit sometimes I treat God like my personal diary, just rambling on about my day, my troubles and my questions. Then, when I’m done unloading my burdens, I continue on about my day/night, not leaving room for God to unload his thoughts onto me. Give God space and time to answer you. Before prayer, ensure you are isolated [in your secret place] (Matthew 6:6) and sit in silence after you are done. And I’m not talking 1 or 2 minutes, sit there alone in the awkward silence for 10-20 minutes, clear your mind from worldly thoughts and worries and just listen. In our overstimulated, tech obsessed world, it can be hard to sit in silence, so this may not come easy. Give yourself grace and time. Be consistent and keep trying.
3. Read God’s Word
I get a lot of revelations when I’m reading my Bible; not only does it deepen my understanding of God, but it opens my ear to him, it’s inviting him in. I am seeking him by reading his word and that is really all he wants. For us to come to him with a heart of pure intention, focused on him. The more you are in your word, the more he will reveal to you and the more you are able to discern his voice, because if you don’t read his word, then you won’t know him, and how will you know his voice if you don’t know him?
Pro tip: Before you open your bible, ask God what he wants you to read, ask him for understanding of what you are reading and to reveal to you what part of the chapter is most relevant to your life in this moment. And read slowly, read aloud; don’t just rush through to get to the end, I guarantee you’ll miss something. Remember, this is about spending time with God and getting to know him. How would you feel if someone came to you asking for guidance but rushed through conversation with you? Would you be able to give them the advice they seek, fully?
4. Don’t put expectations on God
Sometimes I hear stories from others about how God speaks to them, and I catch myself expecting that same experience, when the truth is that everyone’s relationship with God is different. How he communicates with one person may not be how he communicates with you. Be patient and try different things, maybe it’s art, maybe it’s journaling, perhaps it’s dreams, maybe he wants you to hear him audibly, or maybe he’s just a voice in your head. Ask him how he likes to communicate with you and be open to the answer.
5. God is not always loud
You may be hearing from God and just dismissing it because it was quiet. Every message will not be a burning bush (Exodus Ch. 3). It could be as simple as a thought in your head, an idea, a message from a friend, a conversation with a stranger, a poster you saw on a walk, a video you feel called to watch. God is limitless and can speak in a variety of ways, be mindful of everything you see and take it to him for confirmation. He will certainly show you in multiple ways, if needed, he is not a God that gives up on his children; He will make sure you get the message. It’s not always going to be a long monologue, or a detailed vision; a subtle message or nudge may be all you require in that moment.
6. Give him praise
God created us for his glory and praise (Isaiah 43:7, 21). Come to him with a humble heart of gratitude. God is love and gave himself so that we might be saved from the chains of bondage to the enemy and spend eternity with him. Reflect on the ways in which God has blessed you, even beyond what he has done for you, praise him for who he is; he is the creator of all things. Praise him for his character, his compassion, his forgiveness, his grace, his mercy, praise him for his creation, the birds in the air, the beauty of the nature that surrounds you, the breath in your lungs. Be mindful of God and the life he gives (Deu. 32: 18). When I give God worship, I can feel his presence, I can feel the Holy Spirit rejoicing with me, and sometimes that is enough, sometimes words aren’t what is needed, but to be wrapped in his love, comfort and peace. God is devoted to us, so we must be devoted to him.
7. Give God time
God’s timing is perfect and he does not operate on our timelines. Remember, a day to him is like 1,000 years to us (2 Peter 3:8). So if you ask something today, that does not mean he will answer you today. It may be tomorrow, or next week, or next month or next year! He knows what you need and when you need it. When you are ready to receive his response, he will send it. Be patient, he is God, not a genie; give him the same grace he gives you.
I once asked God to show me the old cycles and habits I was trying to bring into my new life and it was crickets, until an interpersonal conflict arose and I retreated into my old self. I withdrew, and did not process my emotions, I did not communicate my feelings, I pushed it deep down to fester into resentment, BUT GOD showed up. He said go talk to that person and tell them how you feel. I resisted, and he insisted. Afterwards, he explained that THIS was one of those habits I was asking about. He waited to answer me until he had a very clear example and irrefutable proof, because I need that, and he needed my obedience.
Trust that he knows you better than you think you know yourself and he will answer you when it is most beneficial to you.