• Home
  • Shop
  • Cindi’s Speaking
    • Cindi’s Event Schedule
    • Book Cindi for Your Event
    • Cindi’s Speaking Topics
    • What Cindi Believes
    • Endorsements
  • Coaching Services
    • Coaching Credentials / Endorsements
    • Fees For Coaching/Consulting Service
    • Do We Fit?
    • Cindi’s Coaching/Consulting Options
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Encouragement
    • Articles of Encouragement
    • Encouragement for Couples
  • About Cindi
  • Contact
Type and hit ENTER
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Cindi’s Speaking
    • Cindi’s Event Schedule
    • Book Cindi for Your Event
    • Cindi’s Speaking Topics
    • What Cindi Believes
    • Endorsements
  • Coaching Services
    • Coaching Credentials / Endorsements
    • Fees For Coaching/Consulting Service
    • Do We Fit?
    • Cindi’s Coaching/Consulting Options
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Encouragement
    • Articles of Encouragement
    • Encouragement for Couples
  • About Cindi
  • Contact
GET CONNECTED
retina-image
cart
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Cindi’s Speaking
    • Cindi’s Event Schedule
    • Book Cindi for Your Event
    • Cindi’s Speaking Topics
    • What Cindi Believes
    • Endorsements
  • Coaching Services
    • Coaching Credentials / Endorsements
    • Fees For Coaching/Consulting Service
    • Do We Fit?
    • Cindi’s Coaching/Consulting Options
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Encouragement
    • Articles of Encouragement
    • Encouragement for Couples
  • About Cindi
  • Contact
  • 0 Items : $0.00cart
Four Steps to Hearing God’s Voice
Share
Articles of Encouragement, Hearing God's Voice

Four Steps to Hearing God’s Voice

October 30, 2014
-
Posted by Cindi

How many times have you sensed a voice telling you to do something but you considered it a distraction? Maybe other times you’ve felt the inkling to do something, but brushed it off as silly or too elemental to be the voice of God.

Over the past 25 years, I’ve had many people, especially young women I’ve been discipling, ask me about how to actually hear or discern the voice of God. We can sometimes think our own hopeful thoughts or our doubtful, misleading thoughts are God’s voice. And there are other times we mistakenly pass off God’s genuine voice as merely our own thoughts.

Some women sit down to read their Bibles and have a myriad of distracting thoughts: I should do the dishes first. I’ve got to remember to call Mom. I wonder what that ache in my shoulder is really about? It’s safe to say these are clearly thoughts from our own human nature that distract us from spending time in God’s Word. Other people I know have frightening thoughts they believe are from God, such as visions that they or loved ones will be injured or killed. But 2 Timothy 1:7 says God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear. We also know that the Spirit of God is a Comforter, not one who instills fear. Therefore, we should ask ourselves: Is this thought in the nature of God? Does it sound like something He would say?

Not every “distracting thought” is God’s voice. You would need to ask yourself:

  • Does the thought have anything to do with what I’ve been praying about?
  • Does it sound more like human reasoning or spiritual direction?
  • Is it consistent with the nature of God?
  • Does this thought strengthen me spiritually?
  • Does this thought prevent me from pursuing God’s ways?

Sometimes, though, that “distracting voice” is God trying to tell you what to do. It’s His whisper. But we must be sensitive to recognize it. Jesus said in John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Here are four ways that you can begin to tune your ear to hear God’s voice so you recognize it, follow it and don’t miss what He’s trying to say to you:

1. Cut Out the Noise

Michael W. Smith recorded a song back in the 1980s about how we live in a “world that’s wired for sound.” Yet how much more background noise is around us today – from house-hold appliances, to blaring traffic, car alarms, cell phone ring tones and the noises that get embedded in our heads. We even walk around with iPod cords hanging out of our ears! I know people who don’t like it when the house is too quiet and actually keep their televisions on for background noise or can’t imagine driving without the radio playing.

Try shutting off the television, switching off the radio, taking out the iPod and cutting out the noise. There may be some ringing in your ears for a few minutes, but that’s the sound of silence. And it’s the first step to getting ready to listen. We can’t expect to hear God if we’re crowding Him out with other voices and sounds.

2. Confess What’s in Your Heart

By confessing sin, you are eliminating the barriers in your heart and mind that may be preventing you from hearing God’s voice. We can lose the ability to hear God’s voice when we develop hearts that harden and then become calloused with sin. Sin builds a deafening ear to the voice of God, just as sin in our life deafens us to God’s ear, as well (Psalm 66:18). Confess not only your actions, but your attitudes and anxieties as well. When your heart and mind are cleared of any offenses against Him, you will be prepared to hear Him.

3. Come Before Him Quietly

Do you expect to hear God on the fly? Are you thinking He’ll interrupt the busyness of your life to speak? I’ve found in my own life that God tends to speak when I get quiet enough to listen. To come before Him quietly doesn’t necessarily mean silently. It implies stillness as well. David prayed in Psalm 62:5 “My soul, wait in silence for God only.” We don’t know how long David had to wait, only that he waited. I imagine his waiting wasn’t just done quietly, however. David had to not only be silent, but be still. Silence is external. Stillness is internal. Being quiet in the inner recesses of our heart means not worrying, not thinking of things to do, cutting out the noise in our heads as well.

Sometimes we can be refreshed by God’s presence simply by being still. No words, no specific direction or command – only stillness. That is His comforting presence on our heart, His smile at our stillness, His pleasure at our rest.

4. Consider the Lilies

Sometimes a few moments alone can cause us to look around and “smell the flowers.” It was times like this, when the songwriter, Asaph, was waiting for God to reveal Himself, that he saw Him in the clouds, rain, and wind (Psalm 77:17-18). Times of silence and reflection give God an open channel to your heart. Maybe the only thing He wants to tell you is to take notice of what He has made. Why? Because He loves you. Because He’s a great God. Trust your ability to perceive and recognize beauty and draw conclusions therein. It’s one of the ways that God can communicate with you.

No matter where you are in life, God wants to communicate with you. If you aren’t in the habit of listening for His voice, He wants to show you how. If you’ve been confused about direction for your life, He wants to clarify things for you. If you simply want to know Him more, He wants to teach you all you need to know in a relationship with Him. He also longs to encourage you in your need, comfort you with His promises, and affirm to You His love. But it’s up to you to cultivate a heart that listens so that you can receive what He has to say.

For more on cultivating a heart to hear God’s voice, see Letting God Meet Your Emotional Needs.

October 30, 2014
Cindi
Cindi McMenamin is an award-winning author and national speaker who helps women find strength for the soul. She has nearly 35 years experience ministering to women and inspiring them to let God meet their emotional needs, grow stronger through their alone times, and pursue their dreams with boldness.
← PREVIOUS POST
God's Not the Silent Type: Learning to Listen to His Voice
NEXT POST →
Reshaping Your Understanding of God
Categories
Also Find Cindi on:

Cindi’s Books Also Available On:
kindlenook
Trouble sleeping? These 3 prayers can help :) Scri Trouble sleeping? These 3 prayers can help :) Scripture says God grants sleep to those He loves. Say these prayers at night and sleep soundly in Jesus:  https://strengthforthesoul.com/3-prayers-to-help-you-sleep-better/
Fall in Love with God's Word in 2021 Fall in Love with God's Word in 2021
My Thanksgiving Gift to You - while it lasts -- Th My Thanksgiving Gift to You - while it lasts -- This weekend only, five of my popular titles are available for only $5 each, while supplies last. https://strengthforthesoul.com/shop/
7 Reasons to be Thankful -- Even in 2020 -- We've 7 Reasons to be Thankful -- Even in 2020 -- We've experienced loss this year, but here is what I believe God wants us to focus on so we can be people of gratitude: https://strengthforthesoul.com/7-things-to-be-thankful-for-even-in-2020/
Don't Worry - God's Got This -- Worried about your Don't Worry - God's Got This -- Worried about your finances, your future, the outcome of this election? Here is how God has it all covered...Read the post at: https://strengthforthesoul.com/dont-worry-gods-got-this/
4 Worries You Can Get Rid of Now - We should all b 4 Worries You Can Get Rid of Now - We should all be a wreck right now, but here's what God can do with what concerns you -- https://strengthforthesoul.com/4-worries-you-can-get-rid-of-now/
How to Be Pandemic Strong -- Here's how you and I How to Be Pandemic Strong -- Here's how you and I can offer hope to others during this volatile time in our communities and country... 
https://strengthforthesoul.com/how-to-be-pandemic-strong/
Where is Your Hope in a World of Crud? -- My hear Where is Your Hope in a World of Crud? -- 
My heart dropped when I watched last week's Presidential Election Debate, but then I remembered where my hope truly lies: in the King of Kings, not in earthly kings. God is still on the throne.  https://strengthforthesoul.com/where-is-your-hope/
If 2020 keeps beating you down here is 1 way to ov If 2020 keeps beating you down here is 1 way to overcome and start living more victoriously!
Here's something to sing about - even in 2020! I' Here's something to sing about - even in 2020!  I'd been ragging on 2020 for the past few months until God convicted my heart with this verse and thought... https://strengthforthesoul.com/heres-something-to-sing-about-this-year/
Does it feel like God is delaying your dream? Here Does it feel like God is delaying your dream? Here are 3 ways you can delight yourself in Him and really see Him fulfill your heart's desires... 
https://strengthforthesoul.com/does-it-feel-like-god-is-delaying-your-dream/
7 Ways God is Your Healer -- Even Today! God didn' 7 Ways God is Your Healer -- Even Today! God didn't just heal people in the Bible. He's still in the business of healing today.  Here are the ways He can heal your body, mind & soul: 
https://strengthforthesoul.com/7-ways-god-is-your-healer-today/
Follow me on Instagram

SIGN UP FOR CINDI'S BLOG

  • ABOUT ME
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright Strength for the Soul, 2018

Four Steps to Hearing God’s Voice | Strength for the Soul