Hearing from God can be a frustrating experience. You pray and don’t hear anything. You keep asking and still nothing. So what are you supposed to do when you’re not hearing anything from God?
Through many unanswered prayers and fits of impatience, God planted this truth deep within my spirit: God’s always answering—the answer just isn’t always for the question we asked.
We ask God questions like, Why did this have to happen? Why did they get the promotion? When will I find a life partner? But God often answers the more important question: How can I be more like Jesus?
… And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT
God wants us to be more like Jesus with every passing day. He wants our lives ripe with the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
When you want God to give you a powerful or glamorous new job, God may want to teach you faithfulness—learning to steward the job you already have.
When you want God to help you avoid dealing with a difficult spouse, family member, or coworker, God may want to teach you love and patience.
We often focus externally when we should focus internally.
If you’re struggling to hear from God, try shifting your focus with these questions.
- God, what are You trying to teach me?
- How can I be more like Jesus in this situation?
So, here’s how to start hearing from God: ask the right question.
