People have often asked me "How do you know when God is speaking to you?" Obviously I don't hear an audible voice or anything – though that would be pretty cool… and a lot clearer! Ha!
I believe God speaks to us in many ways and through various means and oftentimes it's different for every one. It's difficult to explain just how God communicates with us, sometimes…you just know…
That darn nudge that just won't go away
For me, there are times when it's as simple as a nagging feeling/inner nudge that just won't go away no matter how I try to ignore it. Like when God was leading me to do the World Race. I'd fantasized about it several times but always ended up moving on, satisfied with my excuses that it was just silly and absurd. But the nudge kept returning as if God were saying "you won't have peace until you agree to do this." Which leads me to the next point:
Peace.
That tranquil feeling deep inside when you know everything is alright with the world. Nothing is bothering you, nothing feels out of place or like it isn't as it should be. In other words, "it's AAAALLLL good!"
Confusion is not from God…any time we are confused about something – that's when we should step back and tell our souls, "Wait." God loves it when we wait…especially when we're cautious in knowing what His will is. (Of course He wants us to be quick to be obedient but He never "pushes" us to do anything.) Jesus was never in a hurry – even when it meant life or death!! He is patient. He isn't going to make us feel "pressured" to do something. Any feelings of compulsion we have about a decision – is probably not from God. Too many times have I hurried to do something because I was freaking out that I might miss my opportunity…and it never ended well. Listen – God is in control and yes even works in our hasty mistakes… When we're confused and anxious about what to do, He advises us to Be still…and know that HE is God.
Dreams.
There have been several times where I believe God has spoken to me in a dream. Part of the reason I am a christian today, is because I had a really intense dream where my grandparents visited me and warned me to get right with God. You can read more about that dream here.
The Bible
This is probably the utmost source through which God speaks to us… In fact if there's ever a time when we think God is speaking to us about something and it is contrary to what the bible says – then we can know 100% that it is not God we're hearing. It's either us, the enemy(devil/demons) or society. For example, if we think God is telling us to kiss as many frogs as we can, yet the bible clearly says "thou shall not kiss frogs" then I think it's safe to say that is not God's direction! Of course the bible doesn't say that – that's just a harmless example… kiss frogs all you want 😛
Repetition
One of the ways I feel like God has been confirming my decision to go on the World Race is through repetition. The verse from Genesis 12:1/Acts 7:3 has been popping up EVERYWHERE! I have heard it said in a sermon, read it in a random daily devotional, came across it as I'm reading through the book of Acts… it's like this verse keeps coming to my attention – and especially during times when I am struggling with doubt and whether or not I am supposed to be doing this. The verse? "Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you." If that's not a crazy coincidence I don't know what is!
These are just a few ways I feel that God speaks to me… What are some of the ways you feel God speaks to you? Feel free to leave a comment at the bottom.
