When God Feels Silent

I once had a friend say, “How do you hear God?”

My heart broke as I looked into her longing eyes. She then went on to talk about her strong desire to hear the voice of God, but she didn’t know how or if He even spoke to her.

It might seem like an overly simplified answer, but here’s my answer nonetheless…

“When was the last time YOU were quiet?”

Sometimes when we pray, our prayers are filled with “God will you grant this request, take care of my family member, and thank you for all that you’ve given me.” As soon as we have said all we wanted to say, we tend to say amen and move on with our lives…forgetting to even stop to listen for God’s response.

I think if we’re truly honest, we’d realize that it’s not that God is silent. It’s that we aren’t listening.

God talks to me every single day:

In the way my youngest son crawls into my bed in the morning during the summer months to give me a squeeze and say, “I just love you”

In the soft breeze in the afternoon or a hard afternoon rain when the morning was scorching hot.

In the song lyrics that I hear on the radio every time I’m in the car for a full week.

In a whisper that can only be heard from someone sitting shoulder to shoulder with me.

If I’m honest, I’m not always fully paying attention. I’m getting better, with practice.

So next time God is feeling silent to you, take a look around. Close your thoughts (and maybe your lips), and open your ears. I promise, He’s not silent…you’re just not listening yet.