Hearing God

[awke]

Several questions on this important topic:

1. 
   *]How does one hear God
   *]How do you distinguish between God telling you to do something vs your own thoughts/desires?
   *]Does God speak to everyone? If so, why do so many people have trouble hearing Him, even when they have a desire to?

 

[fisherman_carl]

If there is a problem, it is not with God, but with us.

 

[Rosebud77]

Several questions on this important topic:

1. 
   *]How does one hear God
   *]How do you distinguish between God telling you to do something vs your own thoughts/desires?
   *]Does God speak to everyone? If so, why do so many people have trouble hearing Him, even when they have a desire to?

1. 
   1 However He wants to make Himself heard and when you listen silently.
   
   2,You WILL know, believe me. Oh indeed yes, And it may well be against your own desires… or seem foolish or impossible.
   
   3 Many talk so much they do not listen. So they cannot hear Him above their own clamour…

 

[Reuben_J]

Several questions on this important topic:

1. 
   *]How does one hear God
   *]How do you distinguish between God telling you to do something vs your own thoughts/desires?
   *]Does God speak to everyone? If so, why do so many people have trouble hearing Him, even when they have a desire to?

1. 
   Apart from ourselves, generally there are four main ways that God speaks to us:
   
   Through the Scripture
   Through the Church
   Through people
   Through events
   
   We often do not hear God’s voice because of the noisy world where there are lots of distractions that His voice is drowned by the noises in our lives.
   
   We therefore need to bring quietness into our lives and be still so that we can hear God’s voice. Sometimes in the stillness of our prayers where we have gotten rid of the distraction, we may hear God’s voice speaking to us through our senses and inner thought.
   
   Today there are some devotions that practice meditative prayers which were made practical by saints such as Teresa of Avila. The closer we are to God, the easier it is for our thought to recognize Him. He is a living God not a dead one. If we seeks Him, we will find Him.

 

[Catholic1954]

A good spiritual advisor can help one sort these things out.

 

[Dorothy]

Several questions on this important topic:

1. 
   *]How does one hear God
   *]How do you distinguish between God telling you to do something vs your own thoughts/desires?
   *]Does God speak to everyone? If so, why do so many people have trouble hearing Him, even when they have a desire to?

1. 
   Seek times of silence and solitude according to your state of life. If necessary, it is possible to practice silence in a noisy room if you make attempts to focus on the face of the Lord.
   
   Even people with busy lives can find times of silent reflection. It takes practice.
   
   I really like this saying of St. John of the Cross:
   
   “The Father spoke one Word, and that Word was His Son, this Word He speaks ever in eternal silence, and in silence must it be heard by the soul.”
   
   Peace,
   
   Dorothy

 

[LPS]

Several questions on this important topic:

1. 
   *]How do you distinguish between God telling you to do something vs your own thoughts/desires?

1. 
   In my experience, learning to distinguish between God vs “me” takes time and develops as we grow in relationship with God. Like any real relationship, it requires spending time together. Read scriptures, be silent, listen and talk with Him.
   
   I think my biggest advice is to pray honestly & sincerely that He will protect you from being deceived and make obvious what He wants of you; these are my two constant prayers and WOW will He answer them in amazing ways!
   
   I had an instance when I was 100% certain God promised me something within a certain timeframe. When that time came & went, I was crushed; I was so sure it had come from Him but now I know I was given a very valuable lesson about how easily I can deceive myself. It was very humbling but I am enormously grateful for that lesson.
   
   God bless you - keep seeking and asking and listening!

 

[Monica4316]

Several questions on this important topic:

1. 
   *]How does one hear God
   *]How do you distinguish between God telling you to do something vs your own thoughts/desires?
   *]Does God speak to everyone? If so, why do so many people have trouble hearing Him, even when they have a desire to?

1. 
   You might be interested in Ignatian discernment and also mental prayer.
   
   God’s voice becomes more clear and obvious as we advance in mental prayer. I recommend the book “Ways of Mental Prayer” from TAN on how to do this.

 

[oldgraymare2]

A good spiritual advisor can help one sort these things out.

I agree with both Reuben’s post, and with Catholic1954’s post.

I think that it helps to have some spiritual direction so that you can discern what is happening.