PREPARING TO HEAR GOD’S VOICE
CLEAR OUT ALL WORRY FROM MIND AND HEART
Phil. 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
- Identify worry, anger, hurt, etc. causing noise and confusion inside.
- Pray about it – telling God about it and how I think and feel about it.
- Petition God – asking, begging him to take it over, do what he wants to about it – maybe even sharing what I hope / wish for concerning it.
- Thank Him for his love, grace (acting in undeserved favour), mercy (shielding us from the negative we do deserve), might, perfect knowledge and perfect plan for this troubling situation, and his commitment to take my burden and give me rest.
- Receive and experience the peace of God in both mind (thoughts) and heart (feelings)
MAKE A COMMITMENT TO TRUST GOD
Prov. 3:5-7 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.”
- Confirm your trust in God, his goodness, mercy and perfect will.
- Confirm your belief that God can and will speak to you in a way you can hear and understand.
- Deliberately turn away from your own thoughts, desires and expectations to come to a place of expectation of God’s revelation of his will and his step-by-step guidance, provision and blessing (straight paths).
- Come to a place of total trust in the perfection of his will and fear of stepping out of his will and his presence – losing his guidance, provision and blessing.
SUBMIT TO GOD’S EXAMINATION
Ps. 139:23-24 – “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”
- Ask God to search my heart (feelings, inclinations) and my thoughts (plans, motives, interpretations) and to lead me in his way. If He brings conviction, I confess (agree with Him) and hand it over.
- Listen to my conscience: Is there something God had spoken to me about, that I have not dealt with, something I had to do, or to stop doing? If there is something I know, I repent, confess and submit. He seldom addresses something new while I have not come to submission / obedience in the matter He is dealing with already.
- Test my attitude to people in my life for unforgiveness, stepping back, cutting out. Confess to God, go to the one(s) I need to reconcile with.
Father God, I yearn to hear your voice. Help me to silence my thoughts, my worries, my fears. Take me as I am, all that I am, transform my thoughts, my heart. Search me, know my heart and my thoughts. Lead me in your everlasting ways. Amen
Elzeth Malherbe