Hearing God’s Voice

We are fully convinced that God is actively trying to get our attention and that he will use anything to do so. If this idea of hearing God’s voice is new to you, rest assured that you have the ability to hear from him as a Child of God. He made you and will often use your natural tendencies to speak to you. Chances are, you are already hearing him, you just aren’t recognizing it as his voice. Below is a chart of some common ways God speaks. The left side shares examples of things outside of yourself that God will use to spark conversation. The right side are the internal “still small voices” that we can often overlook or dismiss.

Growing in this takes time and practice. God is patient and OK with process and slow progress, so give yourself some grace. Here are a few questions to ask yourself as you try to decipher if what you are hearing is God, you, or a voice from the realm of darkness.

  • Is this something I would normally say to myself?

  • Does this “thought” align with scripture or God’s heart?

  • Is this “voice” condemning me or challenging me to grow?

  • Does this draw me closer to God or push me away?

Practice with some of the exercises below!

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Common ways God speaks

Exercise #1

Reflection questions:

  • Take a look at Jesus’s names and ask him which one of them he wants you to embrace right now. Why?

  • Ask him how he wants you to live according to who he is. What does he want you to do differently?

Exercise #2

Find a way to take communion with some bread/crackers and a sip of juice/wine.  Read this scripture to yourself: 

“While they were eating, Jesus took a piece of bread, gave a prayer of thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. “Take and eat it,” he said; “this is my body.”  Then he took a cup, gave thanks to God, and gave it to them. “Drink it, all of you,” he said;  “this is my blood, which seals God's covenant, my blood poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  I tell you, I will never again drink this wine until the day I drink the new wine with you in my Father's Kingdom.” GNT

Go ahead and receive the elements and then reflect on the questions below.

Reflection questions:

  • Thank Jesus for his sacrifice and ask him to speak to you about your salvation and the ways you’ve been set free.

  • Ask God to allow you to experience the “joy of your salvation” by releasing joy to you in this moment as you reflect on all he has done for you.

Exercise #3

For this exercise you will be using your imagination to meet with God in the Garden of Eden. Read the passage below and then close your eyes and try to imagine in on the “movie screen” of your mind. Then use the reflection questions to start a conversation with God.

Passage:

You gasp in your first breath of air as you flutter your eyes open and glance at your Creator for the first time. The look on his face is a mixture of delight, satisfaction, pride, and pure enjoyment. You are now face-to-face with the one formed and shaped you with the perfection of his vision. He is taking you in and reveling in the work of his hands. You meet his gaze, feeling wholly known and completely treasured.

Reflection questions:

  • Ask God to show you how he created you in his image.

  • Ask him what he sees when he looks at you. How does this compare/contrast with how you see yourself?

Exercise #4

Take a look at the image below. Next, have a conversation with God about it using the reflection questions.

Reflection questions:

  • Find something about or within the image that stands out to you.

  • Ask God: What do you want me to see or know about this?

  • Ask God: Is there anything you desire from me in response to what I’ve seen?