01/11/2018
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A relationship with God is something you can enjoy every day. But your sense of His presence, His peace, and His guidance will not feel the same every day. When you seek God diligently about something and then become aware of His voice it does something deep in your soul. Your emotions may be relieved or stirred up. Itβs difficult to fully describe in words what itβs like at that moment.
But what comes next? Do you rejoice β and then go about your regular routine? Do you dismiss it or question what God has said? Do you immediately rush headlong into frantic action? What you do next will often affect the way in which what God said to you impacts your future.
Here are some sound steps to take after you hear Godβs voice.
Treasure His Voice.
Godβs voice is not like the thousands or millions of other messages your brain receives every day. His voice is precious. He doesnβt speak lightly. His voice is comparatively rare, immensely valuable, βpregnantβ with meaning, purpose, and power. He doesnβt speak just because you wish for Him to do so. The presence of the Holy Spirit means He is with us always, and we always have access to Him. But His voice is not in the same category as the βGood morningβ you exchange with a friend. This is the God of the universe! When He does speak, treat that word as the priceless and powerful message that it is.
Interpret with Care.
I believe part of the reason God doesnβt speak to us more often is that we so easily confuse our own thoughts, other peopleβs words, or even messages from the evil one as coming from God. God will not usually add His own voice to a confusing cacophony of sound. His word is always true, but we are finite in our ability to hear, understand, and differentiate His voice from that of others. He is able to make Himself heard, but we must continual to grow in our ability to understand. Hold your understanding of His voice loosely.
Get Prepared.
God speaks to us, in part, so that we have an opportunity to prepare for what He is about to do. Thatβs our role. If God has spoken about a door He wants to open for you, are there skills you can develop now that will increase your readiness? If youβve heard Him say a relationship will be restored, or your desire for a spouse will be answered, what are you doing to learn about healthy relationships now? If God has given you a vision for some area of ministry, are you making sure the roots of your character are strong and deep with integrity? Knowing what God said is true, what do you need to do to prepare?
Obey.
Godβs voice may have impressed on you to do something, perhaps something difficult. As Mary said to the servants nearby when Jesus was at the wedding feast, βWhatever He says to you, do it.β (John 2:5

Keep Listening.
In any relationship, including relationship with God, itβs not βone and done.β Keep listening not in a desperate way, but to keep your own heart open. You will need Godβs continuing guidance as you follow through on what God has told you. I recall a time I felt impressed to share with a friend that I had been praying for her about something specific. I did so immediately, and the results were disastrous. I learned I needed Godβs guidance as much or more about matters such as time, place, tone, and context. Itβs not a matter of hesitating; itβs about continuing to listen and learn at every step of the way.
Trust Him.
Itβs common to get some things wrong, or at least slightly off center, in hearing and understanding Godβs voice. He knows that. Joyce Meyer tells how God reassured her in this way; βDonβt worry about missing Me. If you get lost, Iβll come find you!β Thatβs part of what relationship with God is all about. And the more you go through things together with Him, the more you will become able to trust Him. When things seem βoff,β go back and seek Him again. Heβs God, Heβs your friend, and Heβs on your side. He can be trusted.
Listen. Follow through. Do it again. Your relationship with God will grow as a result.
Tweetables: why not share this post?
- What you do AFTER God speaks to you makes a difference. Here are six important things to do after you hear Godβs voice. Tweet that.
More from Dr. Carol, here
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