“I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak,” (Psalm 38:13)
My mother lives two states away, and neither of us are much able to travel and see each other, so we talk to each other on the phone. From time to time my mother has issues either with her computer or her television set, and calls me with questions. Often she is so busy asking me questions about the problem that she doesn’t take time to listen to what I’m saying. I will tell her: “Mom, you can’t listen if you are talking.” I sometimes wonder if God would say the same thing to us?
We can get so busy in our lives that we do not take time to listen to God, to read His word, to speak, and then be silent in prayer before Him. We can get so caught up in our problems and the issues in our lives that we fail to hear that still small voice of God whispering in our ears. We need to talk to God in prayer, but we also need to listen.
When my thorn is hurting me particularly bad, and pain and misery is filling up my life, I can become deaf to anything God might be trying to tell me, and blind to anything He might be trying to show me. My guess is that you have been, and maybe are now, in the same situation.
Hearing God in the midst of the storms of our lives can be a challenge. We can get so focused on the wind and the waves of affliction that it absorbs all of our attention. Trying to and peel our eyes and ears and thoughts off of the storm around us can be difficult, but I think we must if we are to find our way through the storms of life.
Forcing ourselves into stillness and silence may be the action required to bring about the resolution of our tribulation, seeking to look beyond the storm and listening beyond the noise of our trials and tribulations may be the recipe for resolution of our troubles.
Maybe you are faced with a particularly challenging time right now. Maybe the issues of your life have stolen away your attention so that you are having difficulty focusing upon anything but your problems and challenges. I would encourage you to stop, take a breath, silence your thoughts and your voice, look up, and ask God for the answers to your perplexing problems. He may not give you an audible answer, but if you will listen and pay attention, perhaps He will show you a way forward through your problems.
We all need help from time to time, perhaps an encouraging word, maybe a bit of insight from someone we trust. None of us have all the answers and we all have our share of problems. When you are tempted to shout from the rooftop about the troubles in your life, go ahead and do so, but then make time for silence afterward, to get quiet in your soul, and listen for the voice of the Lord, watch for His guiding hand to lead you through your storm. And remember that it is hard to hear an answer if you are doing all the talking.
Prayer: Dear Lord, sometimes the noise of our problems drown out Your voice of guidance in our storms. Help us to be still, be silent, and listen for Your guiding voice. Amen.
About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. Sometimes he needs to be still and quiet before the Lord and listen.
Does the noise of your problems drown out the gentle voice of God? Do you take time to listen after taking your problems to Him?
Karlton,
I don’t comment much on others’ writings because my computer time is limited due to eye issues, but I really appreciate your writings. Thank you for all the encouragement that your writing brings.
Blessings,
Bronlynn
Listening and not inserting yourself into the conversation somehow is a rare and wonderful skill; not many people have been able to accomplish that. I have heard that it can’t be a coincidence that God gave all of us one mouth and two ears, because He meant for us to listen a lot more carefully and talk a lot less.
Bronlynn, thanks for your kind words 🙂
Blessings.
Karlton
Well said Melanie 🙂
Blessings.
Karlton
Karlton: This is a vital subject. I’m pretty consistent in daily reading my Bible, devotional thoughts (not just here at Rest Ministries), and a short time of prayer, mainly for family and others I know about with special needs. But sitting at the feet of Jesus in adoration and having my ears truly open to that “still small voice” is a rare thing in my life. And I long for that.
Sometimes He speaks through my suffering, often telling me to come to Him, humble myself before Him, and give Him my burdens.
I think Satan is quite happy when we’re distracted by anything that might prevent this: being too busy (even in Christian ministry), surrounded by media “chatter”, deep suffering, etc., etc.
I pray that many who read this (including me) will make better choices in the future.
Way to go brother!
Thanks for the thoughts and comments Beth 🙂
Blessings.
Karlton
Karlton:
It occurred to me after typing the last comment that there’s another reason, perhaps the underlying reason, that people in our culture don’t make the choice to shut out the distractions. And that’s because they are afraid to face the truth – about themselves, what life is all about and God Himself. We Christians are vulnerable to this fear too.
I think you are right Beth.
Melanie:
How true this is!! God has blessed me with several friends at different times in my life who have really listened to me. My life and view of God have been changed through their love and acceptance. Because of this I make it a priority to follow their example.
I pray that God will teach us to to be encouragers by listening to people with respect and compassion. It’s not easy, but He can give us the grace and opportunities.
Hmmmmmm!! As usual, something timely to read, digest, ponder & reflect on! Thanks Karlton for this very timely reminder for me.
Have not spent much time at the Lord’s feet over the past few days! He always has something to say to me when I open my ears to listen, but (like you said Beth) sometimes I don’t want to hear it!! Sorry Lord! Bless you Karlton in your devotional writing…..much needed. Lotsoluv Kerryn
Thank you Kerryn 🙂
Blessings.
Karlton
Boy, do you have my number, Karlton! I blab away at God, complaining, begging, listing my worries and wishes, “blah-blah, blah-blah, blah-blah!” Thanks for the reminder to listen. Bless you, Linda
Linda, thanks for the feedback 🙂
Blessings.
Karlton