Y’all, it’s Friday! That is worth celebrating, right? Yes! 
So, how about another giveaway? This time, it will be a surprise! (Who doesn’t love surprises??) Everyone who leaves a comment today will be entered to win a surprise, Fall-themed gift from me.
On Wednesday, we discussed different Seasons of Nature and Life and talked a little about hearing God’s voice. Today, I want to continue on the subject of hearing God’s voice and also give you an example from my own life of a time God spoke to me and how I responded. I’m considering sharing a personal story along these lines here every Friday. What do you think? My purpose and hope is that your faith will increase and that you’ll maybe even find nuggets of wisdom and learn what not to do as I share my mistakes and/or confess my (gasp) disobedience.
So, we talked about the importance of recognizing prompts from the Holy Spirit and listed some of the various ways God still speaks to us today:
- A still small voice
- A confirming word
- Scripture
- A song on the radio
- Personal prophecy
- A strange coincidence (that isn’t really a coincidence)
- Through other people (mentors, friends, leaders, pastors, strangers)
- Dreams
The tricky thing about hearing God’s voice – no matter the avenue – is that we can choose to heed it and obey or ignore it and disobey. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably done a little of both.
Many years ago, I knew (inner knowing) God was asking me to lay some things down (volunteer obligations, ministry responsibilities, etc). Some I was quick to surrender while others, not so much. Among other things, I had been working for seven years as a ministry coordinator for an evangelist from Australia who also had become a spiritual dad to me. I could not believe God would ask me to surrender this, too, so I held on to it for several months (maybe even closer to a year) past its expiration date.
When we hold on to an assignment that is no longer ours, we not only miss out on what God wants to do next in our lives but we also prevent or delay someone else from taking ownership of their next thing (our old assignment = someone else’s new assignment).
During these months of trying to hold on to this place (old season) that no longer belonged to me, I was miserable. The grace I once had to do my job well and with much favor melted away in the face of my disobedience. Even the simplest task became increasingly difficult. I couldn’t sleep at night. Anxiety sat on my chest with crushing force. When I finally surrendered, peace and joy immediately returned. I was sad emotionally because resigning felt like (and was) a personal loss for me, but all was well once again with my soul.
God’s blessings in obedience are far greater than anything He asks us to give away.
Even when we don’t understand.
As I look back over this time, I can now see what God was doing. Not only was He moving me out of this place and into a required season of isolation before my next phase of ministry began, but He was also moving someone else into the position I left as part of her next phase. My exit created her door of entrance.
Our decision to obey or disobey not only affects us but also directly affects others.
We are all connected in this Kingdom-building mission.
And if I had stayed where I was, remained in an expired season (because we can choose to remain), I would not be where I am today. I would have missed out on a plethora of God-gifted relationships and connections all over the United States and forfeited opportunities that only came because I surrendered something good and trusted God to do something great. I chose to lay down the comfortable and familiar and follow God into the unknown.
We don’t always understand what He is doing, but He is a God we can trust. He is always good. He is always for us.
Your turn to share:
- Has God ever asked you to surrender something you wanted to hold on to? Has He asked you to give something away as a requirement for leaving an old season or a prerequisite for entering a new season? How did you respond?
- What do you feel is your biggest struggle in letting go? Fear? Comfortable/familiar place? Uncertainty? (We’ll discuss some of these over the course of this month’s conversation.)
Wow! Thanks so much for these words today! I am still trying to get this “season thing” figured out! “Uncertainty” is probably what I’m facing the most at this point in time.
Hi Julie! Thanks for joining the conversation – I doubt we’ll ever get it all figured out but we can sure try to work through the process together
Uncertainty is a biggee for me, too, but thankful we serve a God who knows and sees all.
Hey Shelly,
Thank you for being so honest. With you being honest it makes others (such as myself) feel like they can be honest as well.
I do feel God leading me to let go of some things but the hardest thing is the not knowing. The things we would love to know but only God knows. It takes a lot for us to trust someone else.
I know God has great plans, I just need to be more of a servant and listen to Him and know He will never lead me the wrong way.
Thank you for your words of encouragement!!!!
May we learn to listen well – good strategy for us all, Jeanie. Hugs!
Beautiful message, Shelly. Thank you so much. Yes, God has asked me to surrender the anger that I felt toward a certain person. I knew this would be hard for me, and although I am not completely free from the anger, God has softened my heart and I am on the right path toward forgiveness. I am thankful that God has patience with me. I am thankful to be His child.
Oh, Melissa, I have walked in this place more than once. Forgiving when you don’t want to or feel like you can takes surrender in its greatest form, doesn’t it? Thank God for a Savior who has already gone before us and paid the price and the Holy Spirit who empowers us to do what we cannot do on our own.
Fear is probably my biggest struggle. Uncertainty. Fear of making a wrong decision in a crucial situation. So I make a decision of “not deciding” and it leaves me to the same place … nowhere. Nothing resolved. I desire so much to have discernment and be able to truly “hear the voice of God” and His direction for me. One time I think I get confirmation through a song, something I read in scriptures or heard in a sermon, something posted on FB. Then the next time I get something else. Please help me pray for God’s direction so that I will know, and not doubt or wonder.
Father, give Robin ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to obey. Your word says we can hear a voice behind us saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” I pray that she will hear and recognize Your voice today. Thank you for allowing us the ability and privilege to hear you when you speak. Drown out voices sent to confuse or distract. Give Robin confidence and wisdom to choose well as she trusts in You. We know that perfect love casts out fear ((1 John 4:18) – give her a fresh revelation of your unconditional and overwhelming love and let fear and doubt melt away in your presence. In Jesus’ name we pray – amen.
WOW! Sunday, my pastor said, “Sometimes a move of God in a certain area has an expiration date on it.”
YES!
I was writing for a few sites. Some times those seasons overlapped. I knew that I’d been hearing from God to cut back.
No inspiration to write was there. No fresh word. Just silence, and I found myself winging it and my writing was ineffective.
It took the owners of those pages to shut down contributor input for me to “get it”!
I heard Him say a couple months ago, “every door that opens isn’t your door to walk through. the enemy knows how to throw “good” distractions out there too. Seek ME first.”
What a lesson learned! I’ll continue to fly solo until the Lord clearly opens a door.
Wise, words Kela. Every door is certainly not ours to walk through. Thank you for sharing here today. Sometimes the hardest seasons are the ones that require waiting and what often feels like walking alone. I’m praying God will pour out His grace on you today and fulfill His purpose in and through you for this season. Keep seeking.
My biggest obstacle is facing this change alone. But God is tender and patient towards me and He confirms over and over that yes I am hearing Him correctly.
Debi, I’m not a fan of alone either, but I know God often calls us to Himself in one season so that He can be displayed through us in another season filled with more people than we can count. And truly, with Him, we are never alone. He is the friend who never leaves, isn’t He? The comforter, the Healer, the Sustainer. May you be encouraged and sustained in His presence today.
Thank you Shelly.
Today before I opened your email, I whispered a little prayer and asked God to speak.. as soon I saw the visual in your post I knew God was speaking to me … again today
This morning, in our fellowship time together, I was reading in Hebrews 11: 4…
“It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did” … and I reflected on my offerings to God… how are my offerings, are they half hearted as were Cain’s or am I giving God my best, by being totally obedient to Him in all my “doings”.
Blessings,
Suzanne
I was reading that same story this morning in Genesis, Suzanne!
#First5
So glad God spoke some words of confirmation to your heart here.
I am currently experiencing this in my life. I’ve recently started a blog and i keep being in fear of what if someone doesn’t like and I try not to compare myself to others that are well established but the enemy still keeps creep up and tries to discourage me.
Comparison is a sneaky, evil enemy, Miranda. Trust me, I know. I’m so glad you’ve recognized it and are now able to move forward in wisdom by NOT listening to it.
We can’t compare our beginning to someone else’s middle or ending. It’s not a fair comparison. Embrace where you are right now and allow God to encourage you and teach you with the stories and testimonies of those who have gone before you. I am so thankful for those in my life who have paved the way. Such a gift! And bravo for being brave and starting a new blog!