What Do You Do When God is Silent?

Do you ever feel sometimes as if God isn’t saying anything? It feels like you cannot hear anything but your many thoughts and emotions. (Especially if you are facing a major life issue or challenge.) God is actually not silent. He is always speaking. What you have to check on is if you have lost reception to hear Him.

For example, think of a radio. Radio stations are constantly broadcasting 24/7. However, if you do not turn the radio on, it will seem as if nothing is happening. However, you have to do something to cause the radio to produce a sound… you have to be in range of the station and you have to turn the radio on. Some of us have been so out of range of God we could not hear him even if the “radio was on”. Some of our hearts are so far away from Him and crowded with the cares of life. We would not be able to hear God if He was yelling in our ears! 

There are 5 areas that you can check on to examine why God might be silent in your life. 

Do you know God’s voice? Do your recognize it?

We must spend enough time with God that we recognize His voice. Just as when you are growing up, you spend so much time with your parents; you can recognize their voices over everyone else's in a crowded room. We must get so acquainted with God’s voice it is the same way. The Bible says that we hear His voice and the voice of a stranger we will not follow ( John 10:27) 

Do you know the ways God speaks? 

God speaks in many different ways. The three most common ways are the Word of God, the inner witness/peace, and the “still small voice”. You can click here to learn more about these ways in my post, “The 12 Ways God’s Speaks”. 

Are your emotions overriding your hearing? 

We are spirit beings. According to 1 Thess. 5:23, we are a spirit, we possess a soul (our mind, will, and emotions), and we live in a body. Conscience is the voice of our spirit, feeling is the voice of our body and reason is the voice of our soul. 

Sometimes when we are so emotionally connected to a situation the voice of our soul will override the voice of our spirit. 

We need to exercise wisdom when hearing the voice of God in areas we are emotionally connected to. This is where Godly counsel will be helpful to us to confirm what we believe we are hearing from God. 

Do you have so much going on you can’t get “quiet” to hear? 

God often speaks to us in quiet places. At times distractions can hinder our ability to hear God clearly. When this happens  we must follow the peace of God. The peace of God should be our umpire. If we do not have peace about a situation we should not move forward. 

Are you in disobedience?

Go back to the last time you know you heard God. Did you do what He said? Were you obedient? 

Oftentimes, God will not lead us further than our last point of disobedience. God considers disobedience to be sin. 

Sin is simply missing the mark. You have missed the standard of what God holds to be true in His Word. Sin gets you further away from God. It breaks fellowship. Just like a cell phone being too far away from its tower. This causes loss of signal for the phone. How many of us have been so far from God its hard for us to know He is even there or talking? We must commit to get closer to the power source. 

If you are feeling far from God, ask God to forgive you of your sin (1 John 1:9). Tell Him you  are sorry. He will restore His relationship with you. Just commit to change and turn around. 

Strategies When God Feels Silent

• Practice solitude. God can be heard when you quiet yourself. Focus on Him speaking to you.

• Read your Bible. The written Word of God is the most common way God speaks to His people. The Holy Spirit will illuminate the scripture to you and customize the Word with revelation and understanding to fit your situation.

• Listen to the Word. The Bible says that faith comes or arises by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Listening to God’s Word has a similar effect as reading it. Expect to draw closer to God when you hear His Word. 

• Engage in praise and worship. Praise and worship is another way to get closer to God. We praise God for what He has done and we worship God for who He is. Think through all God has done for you and who He has been in your life. Spend dedicated time in praise and worship and see how God moves in your life. 

• Learn the ways to hear God. The only thing to say about this is to read my article on this subject lol! Click Here

• Pray with a mature Christian. Praying with someone who is more mature than you in the things of God is very helpful. They will be able to partner with you to go further in God. They will add their supply of the spirit to take you higher in God. 

Remember, God is not silent. He is always speaking. We just need to commit to being in the proper posture to hear. Do whatever is necessary to maintain your relationship with God. Make Him your #1 priority. 

Let’s continue the conversation… What did you do when at times in your life God felt silent? 

5 Ways God Will Speak to You Through His Word

We have been discussing the many different ways God will speak to you. In a previous post we discussed the 12 ways God speaks to His people. We talked about the still small voice God uses to speak to us. Click here to read this post. 

Today, we will be discussing five ways God speaks to us through scripture. This will not be an exhaustive teaching. God can speak to us through scripture in many more than five ways. However, we will highlight five distinct ways in this post.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17 so that the [a]man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

[a] 2 Timothy 3:17 I.e. all believers whether man, woman, or child.

Often, people of God are looking for “special” ways God speaks to His people. 

People often look for the supernatural in the spectacular. 

However, God desires that ALL His children are able to receive His direction. God speaks to us in very natural and normal ways alongside the spectacular ways. The primary way God speaks to His people is through His Word- the Bible. 

Any other manifestation of hearing the voice of God must line up with biblical scripture. If what you are hearing does not align with the Word of God throw it out. It is not of God. 

Voices you hear that are not in agreement with the Word of God are breathed from another spirit who’s origin is not God.

Let’s be biblically balanced and not follow any and every voice in the earth that aligns with our feelings and emotions. God will speak to you through scripture in five ways (non-exhaustive):

1.   The Word of God- Scripture you read and study in your private time.

God will speak to you about specific circumstances and situations in your life through the Bible. God will lead, guide, and direct you to certain passages through which the Holy Spirit will speak to you specifically. Studying the Word is different from simply reading the Word. In studying the Word you will delve deeper into the context and biblical meaning of the Word. There is a tremendous blessing in going beyond reading, but also studying the Word of God.

2.   The Word of God you hear from your Pastor or spiritual leadership.

God will speak to you through your spiritual leadership. I am a firm believer that every person needs a pastor/ spiritual leadership. It is the order of God based on the Word of God (Heb. 13:7; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Heb.10:25). Your spiritual leadership is anointed to speak into your life based on the Word of God.

3.   Biblical examples in the Word of God.

The Word of God is our example. The Word is filled with stories by which we can learn lessons. Sometimes God will speak to you and give you principles based on stories in the Bible which will speak to you concerning your life.

4.   Biblical principles and laws in the Word of God.

There are certain laws and principles found in the Word of God. At times, these principles can guide our lives. When we violate the principles of the Word of God we receive the circumstances of that violation. This also works in the positive. If you submit to the principles found in the Word of God you will receive the rewards of obedience.

5.   Biblical revelation, insight, and testimony received through meditation of the Word of God. 

Meditation in the Word is another level of study of the Word. Often meditation of the Word accompanies confession of the Word. Through meditation and confession of the Word, the Holy Spirit will illuminate those truths in your life. Your meditation and confession of the Word is breathed out of your reading and studying of the Word.  The richness of your meditation and confession is directly proportionate to your reading and studying of the Word. In meditation and confession, the Holy Spirit will bring additional truths to your remembrance to supplement the Word you are meditating. This has been one of the single most effective tools for my spiritual growth and development.

Concerning healing, the Word of God will show you examples of the ways people have experienced the power of God. The scriptures speak to you about your identity in Christ. It gives you healing promises. It shows you God’s love and His character. It is essential in maintaining your healing and walking in divine health.

Pray this prayer: “Lord increase my ability to recognize and hear your voice through your Word. Give me revelation of your Word. I commit to reading, studying, meditating and confessing your Word regularly. Thank you. Amen.”

Let’s continue the conversation…. How has God used the Word of God to speak to you in your life? has he given you peace, confirmation, etc.?