Crashing drums, screeching guitars, screaming fans. It wouldn’t be a rock concert without noise, right? But then you lean over to ask your friend if he wants a soda and he shouts, “Huh? I can’t hear you!”
A high-volume concert might be an extreme example, but the truth is we live in a time of unparalleled noise, as evidenced in my post The Superior Power of Silence and Solitude For Christian Teens. Buzzing devices, television programs, video games, radios—the noise you hear with your ears constitutes only part of this. Podcasts, tweets, texts, news feeds where you can scroll for days and never reach the end … All these contribute to the “noise” in our lives—anything, whether internal or external, that blocks your ability to enjoy silence and reflection.
And then God leans over to talk to you and you say, “Huh? I can’t hear you.”
It’s little wonder why most of us can’t hear God’s voice.
Hi, I’m Lauren Thell, author of Christian YA fiction and blogger for teens who are ready to exceed the world’s expectations.
In This Article
If he shouts in volumes, why can’t I hear God’s voice?
God is certainly capable of being heard that way, but if you haven’t noticed, his ways are much more subtle.
Let me be clear here: When I speak of “hearing” the voice of God, I’m not talking about an audible sound like when your mom calls you for dinner. (Moms are pretty good at being heard over the chaos.) God is certainly capable of being heard that way, but if you haven’t noticed, his ways are much more subtle. (See my post The Spectacular Voice of God.)
Ever had a Christian friend say, “God told me to do this,” and you secretly wonder, How come he never talks to me?
He does. He speaks through his Word and the Holy Spirit within your heart. The deeper you dig into scripture and the more time you spend in earnest prayer, the better you will get at discerning God’s voice inside you. And what an awesome experience that is!
But how can you possibly know it’s him when your mind remains cluttered with constant noise?
In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
Psalm 10:4
Don’t let the noise of life prevent you from hearing the one input you truly need. Let’s look at some ways to turn down the volume so you can hear God’s voice.
How to Hear God’s Voice
1) Back Off on Social Media
Would you pay a thousand bucks for a bottle of Mountain Dew?
It’s the concept of cost vs. worth, but even a good thing can carry a ridiculous price tag, and social media is one of those things. I dig deeper into this issue in my post 8 Signs That You Are Addicted to Social Media. But even if you’re not a full-blown addict, we could all benefit from a little less screen time. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:23:
“‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive.”
When it comes to social media, limits are crucial. Limits not only on the time you spend there, but when and where you do it so you’re not indulging every time you have a spare two minutes while standing in line at Starbucks. Don’t reach for your phone every time you’re bored. Save your perusing for a designated time and place. If you plan your social media fix to happen right before a set event in your day (like catching a bus that won’t wait for you), you have the benefit of a safety net that forces you to stay within your allotted time.
2) Break Free From the News Feed Whirlpool
Let your friends curate the important stuff.
Worried you’ll miss something important if you reduce the time on your Instagram account? That’s what friends are for—your living, breathing, in-the-flesh friends, not your online followers. It’s funny how everyone loves to be the first to share a morsel of new information. Let your friends curate the important stuff. I guarantee they will, without being asked, effectively sift through the tsunami of information and cue you in on the most pertinent matters. I do this myself and it works like a charm. (Of course, if you can convince your friends to cut the noise in their own lives, go for it! There will always be a naysayer to keep you up to date.)
3) Put Your Device to Bed at Night
Do yourself a favor and “parent” your phone.
Did you get to choose your bedtime when you were little? Me neither. The time for that nightly event was likely chosen by your parents—and it probably arrived earlier than you wanted. Do yourself a favor and “parent” your phone. Choose a regular time to put it to bed at night, preferably at least a half hour before your own bedtime. Turn it off and tuck it into its designated “bed”—somewhere far enough from your own bed that its very presence cannot be a distraction. (Give it its own blanket and pillow if that makes you feel better.)
Night, night, phone!
4) Give Yourself the Silent Treatment
Bring moments of silence into everyday life:
- Music is a great motivator during exercise, but silence is more effective for deep concentration. Occasionally leave your phone and headphones behind when you go for a jog or a workout.
- Forgo the loud music when you need to concentrate on a term paper or other big project. Live in a noisy house? Take your work to the public library. (Just don’t fall asleep in one of their comfy reading nooks.)
- Take some time to just sit—in silence, of course. Watch the snow fall, or the sun rise, or the wind move the tree branches. So much peace can be found in simply stopping everything for a few minutes.
5) Make your Bible Reading Time Truly Quiet—No Excuses.
If you want to hear God’s voice, this one is non-negotiable. No devices, no radio—just you, your Bible, and God. Seriously, reading scripture from a physical Bible instead of off your phone is so much more satisfying. And when you’re finished, pause to reflect on what you’ve read.
“Be still, and know that I am God …”
Psalm 46:10
Give God the opportunity to whisper to you in that sliver of silence. Even Jesus spent time in solitude (see Luke 5:16).
Uncomfortable with Silence?
If you’ve managed to follow any of the above guidelines, you will inevitably find yourself with pockets of silence in your day—and for many, that is a terrifying prospect. Jump on over to my next post, Terrified by Silence, to learn why Christians need never fear silence.
I promise you, God truly does speak to those who listen. Turn down the volume so you can hear him!
You don’t have to have all the answers.
But, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
Just thinking of you, Lauren; and then, I heard and saw your blog come in on my phone! Great topic! I used to think multitasking was good….Until I discovered, it really wasn’t! Sometimes, it can’t be helped. However, those quiet times of just God and his Word are such a blessing, having His peace and comfort as we focus on Him alone. I find it a healing time to renew strength and refuge in our Lord as he helps us navigate through all the many “noises” of life here which can distract. Enjoy your blogs so much, thank you!!
Marcia always says it best. ☺️ Great article, Lauren. Thank you both for your insight.
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