Discerning God's Voice

I lead a ladies Bible study group and we are currently working our way through Lysa TerKeurst's What Happens When Women Say Yes to God book and DVD. Last night's session included Lysa's story of God prompting her to adopt two boys from Africa. One of the topics of discussion was, "How do you hear from God?" and "Does God speak like He did to Lysa or is that just for the real spiritual people?"

These questions got my thoughts percolating. As we are actively seeking God, He speaks to us in so many ways - while we are reading His Word, in prayer and meditation, that still small voice prompts us to drop a note to someone, to offer a smile, or word of encouragement... The list could go on and on. I think God is constantly speaking to us throughout our day, our problem could be whether or not we are taking the time to listen, or is His voice being drowned out by our 'to do' list, the TV, busyness, etc. The more we obey these inner promptings, the more likely we'll 'catch' it when God speaks into our lives about the bigger things we are facing.

It's kind of like a conversation I had with a church choir member on Sunday. She was asking how my eyes are doing since my laser procedures this summer, and whether or not the pressure has reduced. At this point I don't know the answer to those questions, and won't find out until late January. This woman shared the scripture, " Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Phil 4:6) She mentioned how our lives should be an act of continual thankfulness. Not necessarily, "Thank God for this cancer, or thank God for these struggles, but more so living a life of thankfulness." I can't help but believe this plays a part in our hearing from God. The more we are noticing those blessings, and thanking Him, and turning our eyes and hearts toward Him, the more we'll hear His voice.