May I be completely transparent here? When people tell me God speaks to them, I’m more than a little envious. Why them and not me? Is it because I’m not spiritual enough or important enough? Am I not praying correctly or meditating enough (or at all)? Am I too self-involved to hear His still, small voice? If any of you out there can relate, give me an AMEN!
Early in my Christian walk, I literally heard God talk to me. I was sitting in a Bible class and the pastor was teaching, but I was praying for all I was worth for my husband, Chris—although he wasn’t my husband yet. He had some symptoms, and I had a pit in my stomach telling me it was serious. For months, I’d been awaiting bad news. Don’t ask me how I knew (you already know). I couldn’t shake the surety that something difficult was on the horizon. So, rather than listening to the pastor, I was praying. Then I clearly heard the words, “He’ll be fine, Jennifer.” I looked up to see who was speaking, but everyone at my table was focused on the pastor or their notes—no one was looking at me.
I shared this interaction with my sweet, Christian aunt, and she assured me I was hearing the voice of God. He made me a promise, and He would stand by it. After some tests, we found out that Chris had a rather large mass on his kidney—which we later discovered was benign. It was the promise I heard, however, that kept me calm through doctor’s appointments, surgery and what seemed like a long recovery.
So, I truly believe that people hear the voice of God. Is it always as audible as it was for me that first time? No. Which is why it’s important that we can quiet our minds enough to be able to hear when He speaks—through scripture, other people, a stirring in our hearts…whichever way He chooses in our circumstances.
A new friend told me about a book by Steven Furtick called Crash the Chatterbox. In just reading the back cover copy, it resonated with me and I purchased the ebook. Chatterbox is basically all the thoughts that pour through our minds, keeping us so occupied it’s almost impossible to be intimate with God. And most of the chatter is negative. You know, that self-talk the enemy uses to derail us from what it is God wants to do through us. Furtick writes, “The Enemy’s goal is to lure us into accepting his (Satan’s) lies and limitations at face value. When we do, our faith will only work in fits and starts…And the fruit we bear for God’s glory will be minimal” (pg. 12). He also writes “…the voice you believe will determine the future you experience” (pg. 11).
Wow. I have to admit, I have quite a few negative thoughts about myself running through my mind. I was raised in a religion that’s all about works, and even though I know I’m saved by grace, I tend to focus on my performance—which is always lacking! “Most people go through life thinking God never speaks to them when in fact He’s always speaking. To everyone. Always directing. Sometimes warning. Sometimes affirming. But we hear so little of what He says because our consciousness of His voice is obscured by our mental static” (Furtick, pg. 8).
I have to tell you, I definitely suffer from mental static—and it’s really annoying. So many things that are of little value clutter my brain. Negative thoughts about my looks, my talent (or lack of), my spiritual maturity, blah, blah, blah…
As my husband and I work through this book (a chapter at a time), I’ll share what I learn with you. If you’ve read Crash the Chatterbox, I’d love your feedback. If your interest is piqued and you decide to purchase it, let me know. My hope is that Steven Furtick will help us to defeat the chatterbox and be more intimately connected with God, which is my deepest desire.
