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You are here: Home / Series / Hearing from God / Hearing from God: How do you hear God?

Hearing from God: How do you hear God?

Today I’m going to start a new series called “Hearing from God”. I’m really excited about this series and how it all began with one little question someone asked me at a dinner party…

I was at a dinner party back in January, and was talking to my new friends about all the crazy adventures I’ve been on with the Lord, and I kept making comments like, “…and then God told me to…” and “…God said…”, and my friend finally looked at me and said, “How do you hear God?”

Her question totally stopped me in my tracks and I looked at her and asked, “what?”. She said, “you keep saying that you heard God say this or that, and I’m just curious how you are so sure and what it looks like for you to hear Him.”

Hmmmm.

This is honestly something I’d never even thought about before. I mean, I know how I hear Him, but don’t we all hear Him the same way? And then I remembered something I’d heard Kris Vallotton say years ago, “God’s first language isn’t English”, and it got me thinking about how God made each of us so differently, so it would only make sense that He would speak to each of us differently. Why had I never thought about this before!?

So that evening, at the dinner party, my friends and I had a beautiful conversation about what it looks like for each of us to hear from the Lord. I was so intrigued that we all hear so differently that it inspired me to write this post.

So I pose the question to you,

How do you hear from God?”

I know God is speaking to all of us but I have this theory that many of us don’t recognize His voice because He isn’t speaking the way we’d expect Him to, or the way we want Him to. I don’t know many people who hear God’s voice audibly, so if He’s not speaking audibly, how is is speaking?

When God speaks to me it comes in all different forms but these are the three main ways –

The first way I hear God is in my thoughts. It’s not audible, but it may as well be because it’s usually very clear what He’s saying. If someone could hear the conversations and arguments that go on in my mind, they might think I was crazy. The practice of hearing God in my thoughts hasn’t always been so easy because the enemy used to come in and clutter my mind with a lot of doubt, distractions, etc. but over the years I have learned what is God’s voice and what isn’t.

I call it a practice because it really is something I’ve practiced over the years, and as I’ve taken the time, it has become easier to discern what the Lord’s “voice” sounds like. Something I’ve told people a hundred times is, “usually the first thing you hear is the Lord and everything that comes after that is the enemy trying to talk you out of what God is saying.” If you use this as a rule of thumb, it will help you be more confident in what God is saying to you.

The second way I hear God is in pictures. I have a prophetic gifting and when God is giving me a word for someone, it often times comes in the form of a picture in my mind. Months ago I was praying for a friend and all of the sudden everything in my mind went purple. All I could see was the color purple so I told her, “God is giving me the color purple for you, I don’t know what that means but it’s all I can see right now.” Fortunately she knew what it meant, and it totally spoke to her.

My rule of thumb for hearing God in pictures, is to only go with what you see or feel about the picture. Never assume you know what the picture means, unless God tells you, because as soon as you put your own interpretation on it, it robs the Lord of what He’s trying to say. Often the Lord will give me a picture for someone, and I’ll have no clue what it means, but they will know, and it speaks to them.

The third way I hear from God is in dreams. I don’t always dream but when I do they usually mean something. From time to time I’ll have meaningless dreams but if I wake up in the morning and I remember a dream I always write it down. Believe it or not God can speak so much in our dreams! I’ve had warning dreams, dreams that have ushered me into a new season, I’ve had prophetic dreams about my job and our kids, dreams about our marriage, and so many others (some of my dreams are HERE). If you’re a dreamer, start writing them down. I recommend taking a dream interpretation class, finding a friend you can bounce your dreams off of and purchasing a Biblical dream interpretation book (this is the one I have). You will be amazed at what God is speaking through your crazy dreams!

I wanted to share with you some of the ways I hear God’s “voice” but since I know we all hear from Him differently, I also reached out to a few of my good friends, and asked them what it sounds like for them to hear from God. Here’s what a few of them said –

If it’s something small, like to take someone dinner, He’ll just put the idea in my mind and then I always check my motive to make sure it’s something God would want me to do and not because I have an ulterior motive. If it’s something big, God will repeatedly bring the idea to mind. It’s usually not something I’d come up with on my own, or necessarily want to do. When it’s a big thing, God always uses people I’m in relationship with to confirm it and then He always gives me some sort of scriptural confirmation through a book I’m reading, or a devotional.  I’m usually terrified if it’s a big thing, but I know it’s good because God is going to have to show up because it’s something I couldn’t do on my own.”

*****

“I hear God when I turn off distractions and create an atmosphere where I can hear Him. This often means no music in the car. I always know it’s Him because He’ll put an idea in my mind and sometimes it’s an answer to a question I hadn’t even asked Him yet.”

*****

“I am always listening. I am not a mom but I would describe it similarly to always listening for your kids, even on a subconscious level, making sure you are aware of them at all times. This is how I am with the Lord. I like to always be attentive to what is happening around me and try and listen for His voice. I have become more familiar with his voice, and things He may or may not say, as time has gone on. Similar to getting to know a best friend – more and more you can predict what they may or may not do in situations, and you can pick their voice out in a crowd. I would describe His voice as an inner knowing or an intuition in moments where the confidence I feel cannot be shaken. Or a thought that comes into my mind that is random but feels right. I move forward in those thoughts or feelings and repeatedly have been so thankful I have because it was exactly what I needed at that specific moment.

I have a belief that God is always the best choice to lean on when making any decision. He has the highest perspective and can see outside of time, and has revealed Himself over and over of his profound love for me and my life. Because of that I trust Him with my decisions and I want to know His perspective. This trust is what opens the door for me to actually hear Him through everything. I take notice to what I hear around me, and take note to how many times, specifically the number 3. Three is one of God’s favorite numbers (the trinity) so if I hear something three times I usually know it’s coming from Him.”

What does it sound like to hear God's voice? God is speaking all of the time but how many of us aren't listening because it doesn't sound the way we expected it to? So what does it look like for you, how is God speaking to you? | Faith-Fullness.net

Now you’ve heard how I hear from the Lord, and how some of my dear friends hear from Him, I want to challenge you to ask yourself the question, “what does it sounds like for me to hear from Him?” He is a loving Father that can’t wait to talk to you, and I’m sure He has so much to say. Take some time today, whether it’s 5 minutes or an hour, turn off all the distractions around you, and just sit and listen. He’s waiting, are you ready to hear what He has to say?

Faith-Fullness.net

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Filed Under: Hearing from God, Series 3 Comments

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Hearing from God: Making Space to Hear from God »

Comments

  1. Mimi Moseley says

    March 9, 2017 at 12:08 pm

    I love how you are reaching women by just speaking your blogs in such a conversational way. I know I hear God’s heart in your words and I am sure many feel the same.
    Perhaps we are hearing God’s voice by choosing to read your blogs. ❤️

    Reply
    • Anna says

      March 9, 2017 at 3:25 pm

      Haha, thanks. I hope my blogs are one of the ways the Lord uses to speak to people. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Linda Miller says

    March 10, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    God has spoken to me through his Word. I will read something and that day either I will tell someone what I read and find out that was just what they needed to hear, or someone will tell me something and what God spoke to me about is what they need to hear. He also speaks to me in my dreams. I do have dreams that do not make sense so it would be good for me to be able to read about dream interpretation. He also speaks to me in my mind and I recognize his voice. He has given me direction, helped me in a special way, answered a question I’ve asked or we’ve had a conversation. He has let me know I am very special to him, just like how my mom let me know I was very special to her.

    Reply

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Meet Anna

Hi, I'm Anna! Wife, mother, child of God, and the founder of Faith|Fullness. The pages of this blog are filled with my journeys of faith and the adventures that saying "yes" to God have taken me on. Read More…

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So proud of our girl! A quick weekend trip to the So proud of our girl! A quick weekend trip to the Reno T&T gymnastics competition, resulted in 2 medals for Malea!! A bronze in Tumble Track and a silver in Double Mini. 
We also discovered Emilia has mad skills at Fuze ball, and she scooped Matt. 🤣 
We are proud parents, Malea now has 2 competitions under her belt, and 4 metals to show for it! 👏🏻 👊🏻👏🏻
#MaleaElizabeth
I never post political stuff but Zelensky's speech I never post political stuff but Zelensky's speech this morning, broke my heart. I don't understand how we are not doing something to help these people out. I know if we had someone bombing our country, we would demand help from others, how can we just sit back and watch this happens. My heart is breaking for President Zelensky and the burden he's carrying right now. If you haven't watched the speech from this morning, please take the time to watch it, it's powerful, and heartbreaking. 

"Today my age stopped when the hearts of more than 100 children stopped beating. I see no sense in life, if it means it cannot stop the deaths." - Zelensky
Day 8 - Our last day. 😢 After packing we headed Day 8 - Our last day. 😢 After packing we headed back to Makena beach to take in our last waves, and Malea found some big ones. 
🌊
After a couple hours we said our goodbyes to the waves (and the chickens at the beach) and as we walked away I wondered if it would be another 20 years until I get to be here, and how much life has happened since I had been there last. It really is amazing how time flies. 
🌊
Next we went back into Kihei for lunch, some last minute shopping, and a must-stop, for me, Cones on Kihei, where my cousin worked when we lived here. The smell of the  freshly made cones took me right back, and they still had my favorite flavor!! It was fun to get to share this delicious treat with the girls. 
🌊
Then it was back to the condo to get cleaned up and ready to leave. I am so grateful for our time here, the hours at the beach, the beautiful meals, and watching how much the girls loved so many of the things I love about this island. I hope we get to come back but even if we don’t, my heart is full and I am thankful I got to return and relive/revisit so many things from, what feels like, a lifetime ago. Goodbye Maui! 
@mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer #MaleaElizabeth
Day 7 - Our last full day was probably one of my f Day 7 - Our last full day was probably one of my favorites with a hike out in the lava fields, then snorkeling with Malea, and views of some bright yellow fish before we left. 
🐠
Then we headed into town and had the best sandwiches at @808deli. After lunch the girls were exhausted so we dropped them off and Matt and I walked the beach path in Wailea. We saw lots of whales jumping and even some turtles in the reef. We walked the beach and took in all the beautiful views of this wonderful island. 
🌊 
Next we picked up the girls and headed to Makena beach for some more beach time. The girls played in the waves until we had to pull them from them, so we could go get ready for our luau. 
🌊
We hit the road to Lahaina and headed to the @oldlahainaluau. This was such a good luau, ran like a well oiled machine with stellar service and beautiful dancing, sunsets and the best mocktails of the trip (the girls were in Heaven). 
🌊
Trying not to think about leaving tomorrow, but taking in all the stars and crashing waves, while I still can. 
@mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer #MaleaElizabeth
Day 6 - Lots of birthday celebration! Malea turned Day 6 - Lots of birthday celebration! Malea turned 13 and we celebrated with a little party in the morning, then headed to the waves. 
🥳
We went back to the cove, where the girls surfed for hours and caught lots of waves. Then we had lunch at a beautiful, and delicious food truck park, set in a canopy of trees. 
🥳
Then it was back up the condo for some out of the sun rest time, and then, of course, we finished out the day at Makena beach, where the girls played in the waves until we had to leave to get ready for dinner. 
🥳
We celebrated in Lahaina with ribs, for my rib girl, and then of course, Hula Pie. 😋 
🥳
It was the best way to celebrate our baby girl turning 13, and a birthday I’m sure she will always remember. 
@mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer #MaleaElizabeth
Happy 13th birthday to one of my most favorite peo Happy 13th birthday to one of my most favorite people ever. Malea, since the day you were born you have been such a blessing. You love big, you love unconditionally, you live large and you are an over-comer. 
💜
I have learned so much from you, you make me a better person, and I can’t wait to see what this next year has in store for you! Wuv you baby girl!!! 
#MaleaElizabeth
Day 5 - Started the morning with the girls surfing Day 5 - Started the morning with the girls surfing the cove, where I learned to surf. There were tons of other people there taking lessons but the girls had a blast, and caught tons of waves. Malea is officially hooked on surfing. Yay!! 🏄‍♀️ 
🌊
After hours of surfing we headed back to the house for some down time, and then back to Makena Beach to close out the day playing in the waves, and drinking margaritas to celebrate margarita day. 
🌊
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🌊
Matt and I decorated before bed and then I laid in bed thinking about where I was 12 years ago and how the best gift I’ve ever received came at 11:29pm the next evening. 
@mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer #MaleaElizabeth
Day 4 - Started the day with worship, and our frie Day 4 - Started the day with worship, and our friend’s baptism, at the beach, which was followed by celebration, even by the whales. 
🌊
After the baptisms we picked up surfboards and headed to the waves. It was low tide, so the waves were small, but the girls had a blast and we even got to see more whales.
🌊
Then we headed back to Makena Beach, for some more wave time and found so many chickens! 🐓 8 roosters to be exact ( Malea counted them). 
🌊
Next headed home, and enjoyed wine on the patio, which has been Matt and my afternoon tradition, since we got here. 
🌊
After getting ready for dinner, we did something we used to do, almost every night when we lived here, and watched the sunset from the rock wall, in Kihei across from where we lived. It was so fun getting to experience the magic of the sun setting over the Pacific coast, with my family. 
🌊
After dinner we met up with our friends to talk about the baptism and catch up since we haven’t hung out in awhile. We ended up back at our place, talking late into the night. I am so grateful for how much the Lord has done in all of our lives since we met a few years ago. 
🌊
Tomorrow more surfing and more sun. Maui perfection. 
#MaleaElizabeth @mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer
Day 3 - Started with a 3.4 mile run, with @mmosele Day 3 - Started with a 3.4 mile run, with @mmoseley15, and lots of beautiful views. 
🌊
It was too windy to surf today so instead we headed to Lahaina for lunch (a very messy lunch for my little rib lover) and some shopping.  We scouted out beaches on the way home, and stopped for some fresh fruit at the roadside stand. 
🌊 
Everyone was exhausted but we needed some beach time so we finished up the day with the waves at Wailea beach and another beautiful sunset. 
🌊
Excited because tomorrow we finally surf! 🏄‍♀️ 
#MaleaElizabeth @emilia_boehmer
Day 2- my favorite beach, Makena beach. We used to Day 2- my favorite beach, Makena beach. We used to spend hours, and days here, so it was a dream come true to get to spend hours in the waves and on the beach with Matt and Malea yesterday. It’s as beautiful as I remember it and I was so thankful to be back. 
🌊
After hours of beach time it was a food truck lunch, and time to head into Kihei, my old stomping grounds. We took the girls to the open market where they shopped and shopped, then we ended with shaved ice. 
🌊
The day ended with another beautiful sunset and dinner at MonkeyPod Kitchen, with the best Mai Tais we’ve had and Malea trying to convince Emilia to let her teach her how to cube. 🤣
🌊
Tomorrow we surf. 🤗 🏄‍♀️ 
@mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer #MaleaElizabeth
Day 1 (yesterday)- A few thankful tears were shed Day 1 (yesterday)- A few thankful tears were shed when I finally got to sit down in my plane seat, and a huge sigh of relief that we were finally on our way. 
🌊 
It has been 19 years since I’ve been to Maui and I expected so many changes, which some of it has, but so much is also the same, including places we worked and a few favorite spots. 
🌊
But the best part was getting to be here with my family—watch the girls disappear to find the pool, and the beach, and the smiles on their faces as the realization sunk in that we were actually here!! 
🌊
Today I am thank for @mmoseley15 bringing me back here, beautiful sunsets, the Maui air, and upcoming beach time with my family! 
#MaleaElizabeth @mmoseley15 @emilia_boehmer
Not exactly how I planned to spend my day. 😵‍ Not exactly how I planned to spend my day. 😵‍💫 Thankful for the team at Prestige for sewing the top of my thumb back on. Luckily none of it ended up in the soup. 😬🤣
Saying goodbye (for now), last night, to these bea Saying goodbye (for now), last night, to these beautiful people, was one of the hardest things I’ve done in a long time. The neighbors who showed up with brownies the first time we met them, who became friends, who quickly turned into family—secondary parents to Matt and I,  and grandparents to Malea. 
💛
I have grieved and cried whenever I think about them leaving, for weeks, because I don’t know what it will be like without them. They have always been there for us, supported us, asked us how we are doing, even on our darkest days, and they have loved us and cheered us on, encouraged us to keep going because it will all be worth it in the end. 
💛
I will never hear the end of how terrible it was we decided to move to Palo Cedro and “abandon them”, but that didn’t discourage them from showing up with homemade birthday goodies and driving “all the way to the other side of the river” to stop by and see what we’ve been up to, and encourage us with how well we are living out our dream here on our farmstead. 
💛
I am honored they chose to spend their last night with us (even though technically we were 2nd choice 😉) but it was exactly what I needed. Bev, of course brought gifts that spoke to our hearts, and we reminisced, laughed and I think everyone cried at some point. 
💛
Dear friends I am excited for your new adventure, I can’t wait to hear where we need to go next, I can’t wait to “visit” Europe through your pictures, but please don’t forget to come home, you will be missed!!! 💛💛💛
We worked hard this weekend. 💪🏻 Our amazing We worked hard this weekend. 💪🏻 Our amazing house church showed up and helped us run all the electrical in the back garage—can lights, outlets, fans, exterior lights, etc! We finished so quickly that one couple decided to stay and help us frame out the storage room. 👏🏻
Today Matt and I added the door and a few other things, so now the room is ready for sheetrock! 👊🏻 A weekend of hard work and it ended with a beautiful sunset. Game room should be done in the next couple of months. 🙌🏻
#weekendwarriors #diy
Such a fun weekend away to Mt. Shasta, to celebrat Such a fun weekend away to Mt. Shasta, to celebrate Matt’s birthday. 
I am thankful for the beautiful place we live, friends who are as ridiculous as we are, amazing food, hilarious games, and most importantly my husband—who is definitely with celebrating. 
@mmoseley15 @kah_rhis_10
So this happened. 🏦 I still can’t even beli So this happened. 
🏦 
I still can’t even believe it. I am so thankful to finally be able to talk about this with people, because I am so proud of Matt! 
🏦 
When I first met Matt he told me his dream was to be the president of a bank someday, and here we are, in 6 months he will be. I am so proud of how hard he has worked to get to this place, never taking the easy way, always taking the strategic path, even if it meant taking less pay, a lower title, or doing the work of multiple people to make sure something got done well. 
🏦 
This is a dream come true, a promise of the Lord fulfilled, and I can’t wait to see what this next season holds for us. 
Congratulations Matt, you deserve this, and thank you Jeff, for paving the way, and being such an incredible boss, leader, and mentor for Matt. 
#FaithandFullness #faithfulness
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