This was an excellent question asked by a Facebook friend recently! The simple answer is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. I’ve gotten to the point where I know the difference between the voices, so it’s a PRACTICE of continually and consistently paying attention and staying alert to which voice is speaking.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” – John 10:27
Like just waking up this morning, the crazy lady woke me up thinking all sorts of nonsense and reasons why I should be upset, frustrated, and worried. So, I ran to where I hear from God, our family’s website, werollwithgod.com. It was 32 minutes past the hour, so I went to page 32. There I was overthinking about the future, and how I was going to tackle the messy details of my life, and God sweetly says to me through my fav meditation books:
“You gain confidence through knowing that I (God) am with you – that you face nothing alone. Anxiety stems from asking the wrong question: “If such and such happens, can I handle it?” The true question is not whether you can cope with whatever happens, but whether you and I together can handle anything that occurs. It is this you-and-I together factor that gives you confidence to face your day cheerfully (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young).”
“Any words at all… you can say them to Me (God). But with others, GET TO LOVE SILENCE. I mean by that a silence of goodness. You will find me there, I shall hear all the words that you don’t say. You will keep them for Me, for My sake. You will ask Me for the strength, and these silences will be like cut flowers. I’ll offer them to Myself in a bouquet. Right now would you like to begin this silence with others, this silence that will speak so eloquently to My love? I ask you for this new way of pleasing Me. I need all your ways. How could I not want your entire being when I know that you are free.” – He and I
“MY CHILD, there are many matters of which it is well for you to be ignorant, and consider yourself as one who is dead upon the earth and to whom the whole world is crucified. There are many things, too, which is well to pass by with a deaf ear, thinking, instead, of what is more to your peace. It is more profitable to turn away from things which displease you and leave to every man his own opinion than to take part in quarrelsome talk. If you stand well with God and look to His judgment, you will more easily bear being worsted (defeated).” – Imitation of Christ
I read these messages, and I knew they were God speaking to me because of the relationship I’ve developed with Him over the years. I’ve gotten to know God’s voice, character and personality, and the person He is calling me to be in the world. So, when I read to love silence, ignore and be deaf, I knew by the feelings in my spirit that this was what God would have me to do. Based on those same feelings that have guided me so successfully through so many storms in the past learning to stay on the high road with God where He exceeds my expectations.
The key is consistently seeking God and asking for His perspective on your life. Then through following Him and seeing how things work out on your behalf, you begin to trust that voice. I know the crazy lady, too, and she only makes matters worse. Like talking to our manager yesterday on a recent decision, we agreed that God was not leading us, and we made a mistake. But it was another lesson of learning God’s voice and following what He would have us to do on a moment-by-moment basis.
To learn His voice better, I highly suggest setting times for appointments with God like first thing in the mornings, noon, and 5 pm. Not a moment of learning God’s voice is wasted. He knows the best paths for our lives. Search for places where you feel you hear from Him! I love Dr. Charles Stanley, Joel Osteen and Devon Franklin on YouTube as well.