God's voice, God's will

[dang71]

several questions:

1. does God talk to us? if so, how often?
2. if God talks to us, how can we, with 100% certainty, know we are hearing HIS voice rather than our own or someone else’s?
3. why would God not answer a question from us (e.g. “should i take this job?”, “should i marry this woman?”, etc.)?
4. does God really have a specific plan for us, or is there only the general plan (e.g. church on sundays, follow the commandments, etc.)?
5. if there is a specific plan for us, how can we know/follow it? what happens if we have left the church for quite a while and are now quite far from where God wanted us to be? since we didn’t follow His plan, does He just make a new one?

thanks

 

[marty1818]

several questions:

1. does God talk to us? if so, how often?
2. if God talks to us, how can we, with 100% certainty, know we are hearing HIS voice rather than our own or someone else’s?
3. why would God not answer a question from us (e.g. “should i take this job?”, “should i marry this woman?”, etc.)?
4. does God really have a specific plan for us, or is there only the general plan (e.g. church on sundays, follow the commandments, etc.)?
5. if there is a specific plan for us, how can we know/follow it? what happens if we have left the church for quite a while and are now quite far from where God wanted us to be? since we didn’t follow His plan, does He just make a new one?

thanks

1 and 2 I will leave for someone else to answer.

1. God is guiding and answering your question but sometimes we just don’t listen or really hear Him.
2. God created us with a specific purpose. To love him but he also has a vocation for all of us. Marriage, religious life, priest, single. It is in living our vocation that we are truly happy.
3. God knows what you are going to do before it even happens. When something does not go the way it should have because we are stubborn, He has already taken that into account. An example is the fall of Adam and Eve. God would have liked for them to obey Him but they didn’t so He sent Christ to reconcile the world to himself.

God Bless,
Matt

 

[MarieVeronica]

1. does God talk to us? if so, how often?

I can answer your first question. The answer is “yes”. God talks to us and thinks about us, every moment. Were it not so… we would cease to live and breathe. While He may not speak to us, in language we can discern and understand easily (although, sometimes He does that too! )… He does constantly say “I love you, and Will that you exist”.

Hope this helps. God bless.

 

[Awake]

I can answer your first question. The answer is “yes”. God talks to us and thinks about us, every moment. Were it not so… we would cease to live and breathe. While He may not speak to us, in language we can discern and understand easily (although, sometimes He does that too! )… He does constantly say “I love you, and Will that you exist”.

Hope this helps. God bless.

But surely not every thought, desire, urge, or word spoken to us is God talking to us. The question dang71 is asking (I think) is how do we differentiate between our own desires and that of God?

Somebody could say that they after praying to God over a potential job, they had a desire to take the job and therefore he was talking to them and telling them what to do. But at the same time, we have our own thoughts and desires. Maybe deep down inside, that person wanted to take the job for unethical reasons, even though they wouldn’t admit it to themselves. In which case, how do we know if it’s God’s desire for them to take the job?

Sometimes, it might be easy to tell if it’s our own desire. (If I have a desire to punch somebody in the face, then I recognize it’s probably not from God.) But usually it’s the questions with the less obvious answers we ask God (such as those that dang17 noted).

With such big decisions, like marriage, we would probably want to make sure we are doing what God wants. How do we go about finding out?

 

[MarieVeronica]

But surely not every thought, desire, urge, or word spoken to us is God talking to us. The question dang71 is asking (I think) is how do we differentiate between our own desires and that of God?

The first question asked by the OP was “Does God talk to us, and if so… how often?”.

I attempted to answer the first question, specifically. In no way did I imply that “every thought, desire or word to us is God talking to us”. I said that God DOES talk to us (true)… and that God DOES think of us, every moment… or we would cease to exist (also true).

I believe your observations are more in reference to the second question of the OP.

In regards to you last question… “how do we go about finding out (Gods Will)”… I think the answer is still simple. Faith, prayer and baby steps. God seems to reveal His Will slowly. At least, that has always been my experience within my life.

 

[Awake]

I think the answer is still simple. Faith, prayer and baby steps. God seems to reveal His Will slowly.

How do you know what his will is? How does he reveal it you?

 

[Coreopisis]

If God talks to us we will KNOW it.
Yes God is that powerful that he is able to make you know it.
You will not question it.

 

[Conservative]

several questions:

1. does God talk to us? if so, how often?
2. if God talks to us, how can we, with 100% certainty, know we are hearing HIS voice rather than our own or someone else’s?
3. why would God not answer a question from us (e.g. “should i take this job?”, “should i marry this woman?”, etc.)?
4. does God really have a specific plan for us, or is there only the general plan (e.g. church on sundays, follow the commandments, etc.)?
5. if there is a specific plan for us, how can we know/follow it? what happens if we have left the church for quite a while and are now quite far from where God wanted us to be? since we didn’t follow His plan, does He just make a new one?

thanks

1. I would imagine He does but I don’t know how often.
2. I don’t know. But I once read if you get two thoughts, a second apart, usually the first is from God. (conjecture or fact?)
3. We have been given the gift of free will. God gives us opportunities but doesn’t force us to make decisions.
4. Yes, I’m sure He does - and only He knows what it is. I don’t know if your example - following the Ten Commandments and going to Mass on Sunday is a Plan or the rules ! (interesting point) But I’d think God’s Plan is more like putting us in the path of a particular vocation or the ability to help others, etc.
5. I don’t know if the example you gave (leaving the Church, etc.) is part of a Divine Plan to reintroduce one to it - or temptations pulling one away from it. God’s Plan, to my mind - is up to Him. Again, my guess is that alot depends on the gift He has given us - free will. I was taught that God would contradict Himself if He forced us to do something, since that’s like taking the gift of free will away to make us do His Will - and if that were the case (i.e. God making us do His Will) then wouldn’t we only have a sin-free world with lots of prayer, praising His Goodness, and no war? We’re given the tools, and the gift of free will. Whatever God’s Plan for us - I don’t know His Ways. It’s a Divine mystery.

 

[dang71]

If God talks to us we will KNOW it.
Yes God is that powerful that he is able to make you know it.
You will not question it.

if this were true, then why does Isaiah say that God’s voice was not in the lightning and thunder, or the earthquake, or other great events, but barely discernable above the light whisper of the wind? i am sorry to not have an exact chapter/verse, but i do remember reading this. i have also read that it is in the silence of our hearts that God speaks to us, and so it seems that His voice is truly very subtle and difficult to discern.

and if, as you say, we will KNOW it, why do so many people feel that God is absent? does this mean that God only talks to certain people, and not others?

 

[planter654]

several questions:

1. does God talk to us? if so, how often?
2. if God talks to us, how can we, with 100% certainty, know we are hearing HIS voice rather than our own or someone else’s?
3. why would God not answer a question from us (e.g. “should i take this job?”, “should i marry this woman?”, etc.)?
4. does God really have a specific plan for us, or is there only the general plan (e.g. church on sundays, follow the commandments, etc.)?
5. if there is a specific plan for us, how can we know/follow it? what happens if we have left the church for quite a while and are now quite far from where God wanted us to be? since we didn’t follow His plan, does He just make a new one?

thanks

!. The question: “I would ask myself do I talk to God and how often”?
2. There will be no mistake when God talks to you you will KNOW!
3.God does answer but in his time, patience is a virture.
4. Yes! Worship god, seek, ask, knock, obey.
5. God knows before you came to be what you were going to do, don’t you think. No God I don’t think makes a new one, for God makes no mistakes----we are all on a journey to seek, ask, knock, obey, repent, seek, ask, knock, obey, repent---- etc etc etc. Worship God. Worshipping, thanking, praising God for his long patience and infinite mercy.

God Bless and know he loves you dearly! God knows how little we are.

 

[Awake]

If God talks to us we will KNOW it.
Yes God is that powerful that he is able to make you know it.
You will not question it.

planter654:

There will be no mistake when God talks to you you will KNOW!

Then God must not talk to me.

 

[planter654]

if this were true, then why does Isaiah say that God’s voice was not in the lightning and thunder, or the earthquake, or other great events, but barely discernable above the light whisper of the wind? i am sorry to not have an exact chapter/verse, but i do remember reading this. i have also read that it is in the silence of our hearts that God speaks to us, and so it seems that His voice is truly very subtle and difficult to discern.

and if, as you say, we will KNOW it, why do so many people feel that God is absent? does this mean that God only talks to certain people, and not others?

Seems like you have found your own answers to your questions in your first paragraph when asking and now you are answering them in this top paragraph above, you have typed. God chooses whom he wills is what I have read in the NT. The Holy Spirit blows upon whom he wills. God knows his own. Is another statement I read in the NT. But I also know God loves us all dearly and does not want to lose one soul!

Even if your father or mother abandons you I WiIl never abandon you, return to me and I will return to you!

And Jesus Christ did not suffer in vain! —it is finished ONCE AND FOR ALL.
God Bless , Worship God only, trust in him, believe in him and obey and serve HIM.

 

[dang71]

!. The question: “I would ask myself do I talk to God and how often”?

this is a very good point. for the record, i do try to pray the rosary every night. i may not pray very well, but i do try.

1. There will be no mistake when God talks to you you will KNOW!

i am not so sure, and maybe you are a little too confident (please, no offense meant).

 

[dang71]

Seems like you have found your own answers to your questions in your first paragraph when asking and now you are answering them in this top paragraph above, you have typed.

this may have answered the first part of the first question, but nothing else.

 

[planter654]

Then God must not talk to me.

That I cannot answer but that is what God tells us in Holy Scripture take that up with him. I might of typed my answer confusingly, sorry. I believe that God, just doesn’st speak to us but also through other means or sources, God communicates with us. Say if you are sad or need a friend one day and there at your door, or phone etc someone special shows up or calls. Or you hear something on the radio or TV that could be related to your situation etc. You know what I am trying to say. sorry if it came to you rather confusing.

God Bless

 

[cheeto1]

Then God must not talk to me.

And what if He did? Once I saw a movie from the 50’s in which
God did talk to people - on the radio! The poor folks were
frightened out of their minds and some were so frightened that
this fright made them fall into sin.

It’s o.k. if God doesn’t speak to you, He still loves you. And you
are VERY important.

I do not know the answers to even one of these questions.
But I don’t have to. God knows me, and He loves me. That is
enough for me.

 

[MarieVeronica]

How do you know what his will is? How does he reveal it you?

I’m sure my own experience is like eveyones. I usually don’t know if something is specifically God’s Will… as it is unfolding. Usually, only in retrospect… am I able to see “God’s Will” in my life. I’m sure we all have memories, where we can look back and go… “Oh yeah. I can see what God was doing NOW”.

I think the important thing to keep uppermost in your mind and heart… is trust in God. Trusting that His Will is being done or will be done, in His own time. And even if something is NOT specifically “His Will” (evil… such as murders, or crimes)… that He can still bring good out of any situation. Because He is All Powerful… All Loving and All Good.

An excellent example of this is the Paradox of the Cross. I heard Fr. Corapi talking about this, on EWTN. Father said that from the “greatest evil of all time” (the creatures… men… torturing and killing the Creator… Jesus)… came the “greatest good of all time”… our Redemption.

I had never thought of it… in this way. Can God accomplish smaller versions of the “Paradox of the Cross” in my own life? Sure He can! Really made me think.

 

[Brian_Millar]

several questions:

1. does God talk to us? if so, how often?

• As often as he sees fit, he does talk to us especially if we are seeking an answer to something in his own ways, and I’m finding, not always the same ways. I was contemplating quitting my job at Red Robin many years ago, the manager was making things very difficult to me and the rest of the staff, it was aggrivating, one time when I was walking back from work, I was in earnest thought about this matter, especially feeling degraded from the manager that day, and low and behold, there on the corner of a busy sidewalk corner, there is a perfectly good Red Robin hat sitting there, square in the middle of it, like it was cast aside, people thought nothing of it and merely walked around it, I would be amazed that it wasn’t snatched up by someone, yet there it is, my sign as to the decision I should make. When I walked past it after going to the store shortly thereafter, it was gone, that short window it was there spoke to me, telling me to take heed of this sign.

Other times, when in prayer, I’ll actually feel the holy spirit move within me dramatically when I need to make a decision of which I’m praying about. Other times, and this is more rare, circumstances will just fall into place, and I ask for guidance, a thought will simply pop into my mind from nowhere, and upon meditation in prayer, the HS reveals himself to solidify this direction, like his plan is for me to do this.

1. if God talks to us, how can we, with 100% certainty, know we are hearing HIS voice rather than our own or someone else’s?

• I don’t hear a voice.

1. why would God not answer a question from us (e.g. “should i take this job?”, “should i marry this woman?”, etc.)?

• He does, we just need to listen, much of the time we don’t want to because the answer is no.

1. does God really have a specific plan for us, or is there only the general plan (e.g. church on sundays, follow the commandments, etc.)?

• You better believe it, he knows us more then we know ourselves.

1. if there is a specific plan for us, how can we know/follow it? what happens if we have left the church for quite a while and are now quite far from where God wanted us to be? since we didn’t follow His plan, does He just make a new one?

• Who is to say that you aren’t supposed to leave the church for quite a while in that scenereo. Follow the instructions within his word and you will always be in alignment one way or the other if this is the case. Sometimes we may even be placed in a position that allows us to evangalize, when ordinarily we wouldn’t get that opportunity any other way.

thanks

Well, just my 2 cents, I hope it helps.

 

[beckycmarie]

1. if there is a specific plan for us, how can we know/follow it? what happens if we have left the church for quite a while and are now quite far from where God wanted us to be? since we didn’t follow His plan, does He just make a new one?

Someone used a ship metaphor to answer this question for me. He said that God can turn our rudder as hard as he can to the left or right, but if we just sit there in the water, we’re not going to go anywhere.

I also heard of a priest who said in life we have three choices - marriage, Holy Orders/religious life, or staying single. Imagine you walk into a room with three chairs, each one representing a choice. If you’re not sure what to do, then pick a chair. Try out the marriage chair. Date people. If it doesn’t feel right, switch chairs!

I think this example applies to any choice in life. If you’re not sure what to do, well then do SOMETHING. God will let you know whether you’re moving in the right direction.

And usually it’s not with any sort of voice you can hear in your head, by the way. Sometimes when the Holy Spirit speaks to us, you “just know” without words. Sometimes He has other people speak to you. Often the words we need to hear come to us through the Bible, or through the Church.

 

[sawman]

Dear Dang 71,
A lot of the posters have given some good advise about hearing and knowing God voice and or will. My experience has been that there are times when I have heard a voice in my head giving me an answer to prayer, other times when I’ve felt like God’s hand upon my shoulder guiding me.There have also been time like now when it seems that I am on the plains of Gorgoroth, and I can no longer recall the taste of water or the smell of grass or what it is like to know the closeness of Our Lord, alone and naked withnothing to sheild me from the gaze of the enemy. So I think that one can have a variety of experiences during the course of a life time provided that one lives long enough. Hang tough! God knows where you are and what your doing and thinking.He cares and it’s for your own good. Love Him!!