UPDATE: Hi sweet friends! You moved me with your response to my devotion and your stories, questions and more. I’ve been praying for you as I read your comments. So many thoughts rush into my mind – things I’d love for us to process together. Please know I haven’t forgotten to come back and write more. Unfortunately, I caught my 2yr old’s cold and it slowed everything down. I’m better now but I have a project due to my publisher today for my book. With the weekend coming, let’s plan on meeting here Monday. And I’ll announce the winner of the book then too! If you haven’t entered to win, read this post and you’ll know what to do!
I’ve got a devotion today over at P31 and Crosswalk about becoming a woman who listens to God. If you’d like to read it, click here. In it, I shared how I used to wonder if I was hearing God’s voice or just my thoughts. Does that ever happen to you?
Well, before we jump into our talk about listening, I first wanted to “welcome” any new friends who are visiting for the first time from Encouragement for Today. We’re glad you’re here and hope you’ll stay a while! There is always a place for you.
One thing that helped me listen to God was learning how to capture my run-away thoughts that caused me to doubt my ability to discern God’s voice. Several years ago, I came up with a few questions I ask myself when I sense God is speaking to me, whether it be through scripture, an impression on my heart, circumstances or through His spirit in me. I always look for Biblical consistency:
- Is it consistent with God’s Word and God’s ways?
- Is it consistent with wise Biblical counsel I’ve sought?
- Is it consistent with God’s leading through doors He’s opened and closed?
- Is there a consistent theme I’m seeing in my life or hearing during my personal Bible study time, through sermons, Christian songs, conversations, etc?
There is a little more I wanted to share about increasing our confidence in our ability to recognize and respond to God’s voice, but I’m having technical difficulties as I try to pre-load this. So I’m pasting in the give-away I promised below, and will work on the rest behind the scenes. I’ll try to have it loaded later on Weds. Aster is home so I never know how my plans will go :-). Be sure to come back for more encouragement. I’ll add to this and leave the post up until Friday when I announce the winner!
If you want to become a woman who listens to God, and discover the adventure of faith He has for your life, you will want to read Lysa TerKeurst’s book What Happens When Women Say Yes to God.
Today, I’m giving a copy away to one of you! Enter to win by clicking on the word “comments‘ right below this post and share your thoughts or questions about listening to God. Please include your email or friend me on Facebook so we can let you know if you win.
After you’ve entered to win, click here to download a great FREE resource from Lysa’s book with more ways to hear and discern God’s voice.
**To find out when this post is updated and to see if you are the winner, be sure to link up in the Google Friend Connect box orbecome a friend on Facebook!
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I feel like God is speaking to me through your post today! It is my first time to visit your blog. Our family is at a crossroads and I was up half the night last night praying (and worring!) about what our next step should be. I am paying attention, Lord!
For years I have been struggling with my faith, not that I don't believe but I don't know how to believe. I want it so bad but have no idea where to begin. Lately, I have been drawn to all things spiritual with God and I feel that it is His way of showing me the way back. I love the daily Encouragement emails and feel this is my first step in the right direction.
Renee – Your message today really spoke to me about the need to listen to God more. The reason it's so hard for me to discern what He wants for my life from what I want for my life is because I don't make enough time to slow down, enjoy some alone time with Him, and truly listen. My prayers today will include asking Him to help me be a better listener and to make more time for Him in my life so he can better speak to me and guide me. Thanks for sharing your message today.
Thanks so much for this devotion today. Right this very moment in my life, and I am learning so much about listening to God. Giving everything (large and small) over to His will, and then listening for His answers, looking for His guidance. I have experienced a very direct answer, hearing God tell me some very specific things. That doesn't happen often in life, and it was awesome! But then there are the times when it's not so obvious, and the human tendency to take action on my own steps in. I've been trying to figure out how much God depends on us to use the intelligence He's given us vs waiting for specific guidance each step of the way. It's a challenge I have not mastered, but thankful for your reminder to let God lead, in all things.
I talk to much in my head to have room for God's thoughts. I really need to learn how to sort the two out.
Such wonderful advice! I use similar techniques myself. Run-away thoughts can be crippling and that is the key–God would never cripple me, or have me cause hurt and pain to others. My past has been very abusive and has created many residual issues. Without the Lord, I would continue choosing the wrong people, the wrong path. Unfortunately, I have not completely shed my defense mechanisims, which cause me to want to run away from many things. Trust and Love are very hard things for me to embrace, but the Lord walks with me daily, encouraging me to be strong and to remember I was never a "victim". People who inflict pain on others are hurting as well. He has given me the strength to forgive, love and find compassion rather than hold on to anger and fear. I love your blog as it helps me stay focused and very often reminds me of the things I listed above!
As I was driving in to work this morning, I realized that my mind never stops and never slows down. I have a million thoughts of what I need to do to get thru the day, to finish up the month, and all that is constantly followed by the question of "What would God have me do?" I have committed to returning to my faith this year and leaning not into my own understanding. I want so much to completely give up myself and trust completely in God! Yesterday we got news that my husband is severely diabetic (at the age of 30). He has been thru so many hard things in the past few years. Pray for him, and his salvation. Pray that God would speak directly to my heart and give me directions and encouragement to be a good example of a Christian for my husband. Help me to slow my brain long enough to listen for God's voice. And pray that I will trust His words and obey without question! Proverbs 31 has been my best friend for almost a year now. I visit every morning! Thank you for your work in this ministry!
Candi
Sharing with women is a passion of mine – I am the Womens Leaders for my church and I am always looking for new ways to get women to share what they are looking for from a womens ministry and how to share. This helps everyone even the Leaders – always learning from my Ladies. I will be using this one as a lesson for fellowship. Thanks
I, too, struggle with "was that God?" telling me something or is it just me–because I want something or because I'm afraid to do something. Thank you for your "word" today. I will check back for rest of comments on hearing the voice of God.
Dear Renee
Thank you for the Encouragement today message of Jan 19, 2011. It really resonates with me and I can identify. When are you coming to West Africa for a speaking engagement? I would love to be there.
I'm so glad I found your blog again! It meets me just where I am today, needing direction in my life and not knowing which voice in my head to listen to. Thank you for all you do and all of us you help through Jesus Christ.
Blessings!
Barb T
Hi there You were righ in my thoughts thanks for you devotion.
I would love to hear more about what you have to say on this – God speaks to me all the time — mostly through His word. I can't tell you the number of times I have questioned something, and I'll pick up my Bible and read a passage or a verse will come to mind that totally answers what I was asking.
But He also "whispers" to me (impresses me with His thoughts). I know it is Him because I trust that He answers my prayer that I pray almost every day "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, my Rock and my Redeemer."
Now if I will only walk obediently……
Like some of your other readers, I chose the word "Listen" as my one word resolution. I, too, have trouble discerning when the Lord is talking to me or if its just my own thoughts. Thanks for the guidelines to make that determination. Please pray for me as I listen for God to speak to me about my life situation right now and which direction He wants me to follow.
Since the new year began, I have been in some kind of "funk" I guess you could call it. I find myself thinking through who I am and what I do and where I need to be. Finding myself simply wanting to be in a quiet place, all alone!
As much as I trust God and I firmly believe to turn your worries over to God, how to I turn off these doubts that keep going through my head? I am miserable with my job, my church, spiritually and emotionally. In todays world, where do you begin to make changes and know they are changes from God?
I have been walking in condemnation for weeks now. I've prayed about it, sought counsel (Godly counsel) for it, and still it consumes me. I even had a friend tell me that God spoke to her about me and His vision for my life had me wanting to shout in a book store! But this morning my daughter read me her essay for her college application and she focused on how hurt she was when her father and I divorced, and so here I sit, wallowing in condemnation yet again. I know that there is no condemnation for them that are in Christ, so what door have I opened for the enemy to continue attacking me? Why can't I trust God's voice?
I'm definitely going through a month of trials and desperation to hear God's voice and direction. I'm growing one step at a time.
Oh this is so true in my life. I would love to figure out how to discern the thoughts and feelings I have and determine God's path for my life!!
Blessings to you!
Linda
Many runaway thoughts lately. Getting myself all worked up over trying to "show" everyone I can be a SUPER CHRISTIAN. I am so glad there are godly women reaching out to other godly women desiring to help all seek the face of our Saviour. Thank you for the posts
Kara
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I often ask God to lead me, but then I fail to wait for the answer and go full speed ahead in the direction I feel he (I) wants me to go. This seems to be one of those areas where I am always going back to and trying to concentrate on, but eventually go off on my own way. Great topic! And great giveaway. I enjoy reading Lysa's books.
ConnieH
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