Sometimes I have a thought that seems to come out of nowhere, and I wonder, “Where’d that come from?” My first reaction is usually, “Wait…what? I wasn’t even thinking about that and now it’s in the forefront of my mind!” I’ve learned to accredit some thoughts as the Holy Spirit’s voice speaking into my mind.
“Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” Romans 8:14
Have you ever experienced the voice of God speaking into your spirit? Not an “out-loud” voice but an inner voice that you accept as God communicating a personal message? Though it’s rare, I’m convinced I receive messages from the Lord both for me personally and for the church. I maintain an on-going conversation with the Lord in my mind providing a sense of direction, but there are also unique occurrences in which, quite out of the blue, a statement or complete thought occurs to me that I sense in my spirit is from the Lord… like a drive-by whisper.
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:21
If you’ll allow me, I’d like to share specific things I do when I suspect I’ve heard a word from the Lord:
First, I write it down and repeat it to spiritual friends I trust to tell me if I’m crazy, if it’s the chili-cheese dog from yesterday… or if it might be God.
Secondly, I go to the Scriptures and see if it lines up with the written word.
Then, I commit additional time in prayer, asking the Lord to quicken His thoughts into mine and confirm or deny if what I heard is actually a message that should direct my actions.
Lastly, I begin to apply the word directly into my life.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22
A word I recently heard that I believe the Lord spoke to me is this—“If you’ll become a contented person, I will show you things you never expected.” I’ve always struggled with a sense of discontent. It surfaces in me as anxiousness, even impatience, as I press through my day, assuming that when I finally have all my ducks in a row I’ll become a peaceful, gracious person. Why do we assume contentedness is reserved only for vacation at the beach? Jesus was contented even in the midst of His busy life, and that’s what He desires for us.
I pray contentment upon you.
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5