When Hearing God Seems Impossible

Hearing God’s voice can sometimes feel impossible, especially when life is filled with distractions. Many people struggle with discerning His guidance, but as A.W. Tozer once said, “It’s the nature of God to speak.” Understanding how to position yourself to hear Him is key. Here are a few ways to hear God even when it’s difficult.

8 Ways to Hear God When It Seems Impossible

1. God Can Speak Even When We Aren’t Listening or Are Resisting

First off, it’s important to understand that God has the power to speak to people even when they are not seeking Him or even when they are actively resisting Him. In fact, we see this happen with Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 22:6-8) and with Balaam, who heard God’s voice through a donkey (Numbers 22:27-31). However, this is not the ideal way to hear God.

2. We Must Be Filled with His Word to Hear His Voice

Next, we must always remember that God’s voice never contradicts His Word (Matthew 4:4). If you want to recognize God’s voice, you must immerse yourself in Scripture.

3. We Must Get Near Him to Hear Him

Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). God often speaks in a still, small voice, requiring us to be near Him to hear it. Just as we must be close enough to someone in order to hear them whisper, we must draw close to God through prayer, worship, and time in His presence in order to hear His guidance more clearly.

4. We Must Lower the Noise to Hear His Voice

It’s also important that we take time to be alone. Solitude and silence are essential to hearing God. External noise can be silenced by creating quiet moments in our daily lives, but we must also quiet internal noise by surrendering our worries and distractions to God (Exodus 3:1-6).

5. We Must Be in the Spirit to Hear God’s Voice

We see in the Bible John was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day” when he heard God’s voice (Revelation 1:10). This teaches us that in order to hear God, we must also be in the Spirit. Being in the Spirit means living in a state of worship, prayer, and surrender to God. When we cultivate this in our lives, we position ourselves to hear God more clearly.

6. It’s Hard to Hear God’s Voice When You’ve Already Decided What You Want Him to Say

This next step is important. Many people struggle to hear God because they come to Him with preconceived answers in mind. Instead of seeking His true guidance, they only want God to confirm their desires.

7. Obedience to the Known Will of God Helps Us to Hear God’s Voice

Another important step is obedience. When we obey what God has already revealed to us, we open the door to hearing more from Him. If we ignore what He has already spoken, then hearing Him speak will only become harder. Instead of waiting for Him to speak, think back and do the last thing He told you to do.

8. When God Is Silent, Seek Him More Earnestly

Lastly, when God seems silent, it’s not always a sign of disapproval, sometimes, it’s a test of faith (James 1:2-4) or a call to seek Him more (Jeremiah 29:13). I want to encourage you to use those moments to press deeper into prayer, worship, and fasting, trusting that God will reveal Himself in His perfect time.

Final Thoughts

Remember that God desires to speak to His children, but we must position ourselves to listen. Even when He seems silent, we must seek Him with faith, knowing that He is always speaking to those who are listening.

Read: 4 Ways To Start Hearing God