Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 2:12-13 Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
On Day 1, we discovered that hearing from God is a gift available to all who are willing to listen. Yet, many of us struggle to hear his voice. Whether due to distractions, false beliefs about God’s character, unmet needs, or past hurts, something gets in the way. Like spiritual noise cancelling ear muffs, these barriers can hinder our ability to experience the deep intimacy with God that he desires for us. As we embark on the journey of hearing from God, we must first acknowledge and address these obstacles with openness and vulnerability.
One of the foremost challenges is that many people are simply distracted. Most of us spend SO much of our time on our phones, on our laptops, on Zoom calls, listening to music or podcasts, finding the next binge-worthy show … it’s easy to overlook God’s still small voice. All this external noise can be good and necessary, but it also trains our brains and our bodies to be unable to handle stillness, solitude, and quiet. It can drown out the voice of God, leaving us feeling distant from his presence.
In order to hear God’s voice, sometimes we need to remove the external noise. Try finding a quiet place, as quiet as possible: in the woods or in a library, maybe the corner of a room, even a closet if need be. These sanctuaries can be an important way to position yourself. Ask God questions and invite him to speak, and then just listen. When you get distracted and pulled away, just come back, recalibrate, and lean in again.
Another significant barrier may be false beliefs about God’s character. Past experiences, wounds, and disappointments may have shaped our perception of God, causing us to doubt his nature or question his intentions. Perhaps we’ve experienced rejection, pain, or neglect in the past, leading us to falsely believe that God is distant or untrustworthy. But the truth is that God is always good, and his desire is to bring healing to our hearts, drawing us near to him in intimate connection.
This internal noise can be more challenging to overcome. We will have to unlearn some things we’ve picked up along the way, but it’s not always as easy as simply choosing to believe the truth. We may need to be willing to address the wounds of our past, and examine how they have impacted who we are today. We can invite God to reveal to us the source of what’s in the way, and then invite him to bring healing to those parts of our heart. This requires vulnerability and courage—an openness to ask God what is standing in the way of our connection with him and a willingness to listen to his answers.
It’s through God’s guidance and healing that we can begin to shed these barriers and remove the metaphorical ear muffs. As we seek God’s help in healing our wounds, we discover that he is always ready to restore us, to remove the obstacles in our hearts so that we can experience true community with him.
As you ponder this with God today, consider asking Him:
Father, what past wounds or experiences have shaped my beliefs and kept me from hearing you clearly?
Jesus, what barriers are standing in the way of our relationship? What false beliefs do I need to release or wounds do I need to heal from in order to hear you more clearly?
Holy Spirit, help me recognize the areas where I’ve doubted God’s goodness. Teach me to trust and listen more intently.
