Author: Pastor Andrew Farland
If you are like me, trying to understand God’s purpose for your life, it can be challenging to distinguish your thoughts from those of God’s. Deciding whether to take the leap and start your own business, pursue a serious relationship, or wait before making a career shift can be difficult.
I could tell you what the experts say in their best-selling self-help or business books, but that’s not good enough. What do you need to do? Learn to hear the voice of God over the voice of the world or your intuition. Today, I want to give you a three-step process for beginning to hear God’s leading in your life.
1. Spend some time reading the Bible. Even if it’s just a little bit, if you start seeking guidance, God will help you. The Bible is the primary way to activate our relationship with Him. The best part about knowing what God says in His word is that you can test your ideas and potential decisions against Scripture. If your idea doesn’t align with God’s truth, you can be confident for it’s not in the right direction.
2. “Pay attention to the company you keep. Some people believe, you can judge a person’s character based on the people they choose to surround themselves with. The same principle applies to discerning God’s will for your life. By spending time with others who share your faith and values, you can evaluate your ideas, thoughts, and dreams against their perspective and determine whether they align with the truth.”
3. “Take some time to be silent. I have given you many instructions on what to do and what to talk about. However, I also want to remind you that sometimes it’s important to refrain from talking and listen. Hear what God may be trying to say to you, pause and listen carefully. Maybe you have been so busy talking that you didn’t hear Him. So, take a moment to be silent and listen to what He has to say.”
The book of James explains that when we approach God, He draws near to us. As you start seeking God’s guidance in your life, have faith that He will reveal Himself to you, even if you don’t hear from Him immediately.
“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart!” (Hebrews 4:7)
