How to Listen for His Voice

How to Listen for His Voice Written by Daniel Ryan Day There are times in all of our lives when we want to hear from God— when we need to hear from God. During my senior year of high school, I felt called to go to Romania to work with children for the summer. I asked God to tell me for sure if that’s what he wanted. I was excited about the adventure, but nervous about spending so many months in another country away from my family and my girlfriend. Through Scripture, the advice of mentors, and even a song I heard on the radio, I felt that God confirmed his desire for me to go. Looking back, that summer changed my life in so many ways, and I think it really was God who directed my steps. I wish I could say that whenever I need to hear from God, it’s this clear— with verses of confirmation, songs on the radio, and mentors who encourage me to say, “yes.” Not so much. There have been times when I’ve said, “yes” to something without hearing from God, hoping Proverbs 16:9 is true, and that God directs my steps. There have also been times when I thought I heard God saying something, and I ended up being wrong. There was one moment in particular when I felt one of the deepest convictions I’ve ever felt. I sat down in my packed moving truck to move my family from one side of the country to another, and I felt for sure I was doing the wrong thing. My wife, my friends, and my mentor all confirmed moving was the right choice, but my deepest convictions nearly brought tears to my eyes as I felt I was dishonoring God by moving. Later, God finally gave me peace about moving, but for months I thought I’d done the wrong thing and disobeyed God. I still feel a twinge of regret in my gut, even now, nearly 10 years later. So how can we hear from God, and what are the ways God speaks to us? These are two questions I think about a lot, and I think there are some principles we can lean on when we desire to hear from God. Here are a few things I’ve learned by walking with God through the situations above, studying the Bible in seminary, and leaning on the experience of mentors in the faith.