Hearing God’s Voice - Lisa Bain Ministries

Mabel refused to take another step, so I stopped pulling on her leash and waited. We were on our morning walk, a routine we both love. During our winding route, it’s my time to pray and think about the day ahead of me. I was in the middle of a prayer when Mabel came to a stubborn halt. She waited a few moments, then made a U-turn, pulling us a different direction. She had never done this before, but I have learned to trust my dogs and so I followed her. A few minutes into our detour, a young lady sprinted past us and shouted out a warning, “You are going the right way! Don’t go the other direction. Snakes, big ones! Copperheads!” She was out of breath, and the look on her face was frantic fear.

Mabel had sensed the danger ahead and knew to walk in a different direction, out of harm’s way. It took us longer to get home, but I thanked God that He had used my dog to protect us once again. It has worked this way many times, but only because I know my dogs well. I trust them and pay attention when they do something out of the ordinary.

Our prayer team is doing a Bible study on hearing God’s voice, which is a timely subject. This is a season of uncertainty and turmoil, and there are so many voices of fear and anger that can point us in the wrong direction. I want to make sure I am listening to God’s voice, but to do that, I must stop and stand still for a moment. “Be still and know that I am God.” We don’t hear that Voice of truth when we’re drowning in the busyness of life. He prefers speaking to us in that still, small voice–the one we must listen carefully to hear clearly. (1 Kings 19:12)

This brings me back to my walk with Mabel Joy. I know her so well because she is with me all the time, and I pay attention when she is doing something out of the ordinary. She knew there was danger ahead, and I trusted her to take us on a safer path. It’s the same with my Heavenly Father. When I spend time with Him, I learn to recognize His voice, prompting, and direction. Sometimes that still, small voice and the quiet promptings are what pull me through a day, but I must intentionally quiet my mind.

God is always speaking to His children, but we often miss His voice because we aren’t seeking His guidance until there is a crisis. When those times come, we may not

recognize His voice. We wonder where He is, and if He hears us. Doubt sets in. It’s not a problem with His transmitter; it’s our receiver that needs adjusting. It doesn’t have to be that way. God desires a close relationship with me so that I can hear His voice. It’s not about trite formulas or gimmicky programs. It’s about developing a relationship with God that empowers and equips me to hear His voice clearly and consistently. And when this happens, He uses those conversations to transform me so I can walk out my purpose.

While on an outing with friends, I stood by my husband, and he hugged me. My head leaned up against His chest and even through the noise of cars driving by, I could feel and hear his heart beating. I could hear because I was close to him. I was in the arms of someone who loved me deeply, so I recognized that heartbeat. Am I close enough to Jesus to feel the love and hear His heart beating for me? I want that closeness every hour of every day.

There is peace as we stop, listen through the noise of our lives, and hear God’s gentle voice. The grace and love flow as we allow Him to guide us into safe places of joy and freedom. Today, stop and enjoy a moment of stillness. Rest in the quiet. Listen for the whisper.

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