God's Voice Within
How do you hear God's voice?
Whenever someone asks, "How do you hear God's voice?" my answer is "It depends."
Sometimes I hear Him in a movement of my heart, a joy or a deep conviction in my soul. Sometimes I hear actual words. Sometimes there's just a sense of knowing. But most of the time, when I come to Him in prayer, He speaks.
I've spent years striving to grow in the art of discernment, the ability to recognize if something I hear is from God, the Enemy or my own little brain/heart. While I'm not perfect at it, I have found some indicators that help me sort out the source pretty effectively:
God's words bear the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, generosity and self-control
God doesn't speak in hurry, worry, or anxiety
God's words are often surprising – and when He calls me to something scary He always provides the graces of courage, hope, and trust to do His Will
God has a sense of humor (He made me, so He knows exactly what makes me giggle)
But even as someone who strives to hear His voice and make time for prayer, I still fall prey to seeking out answers in other places (especially when I feel like He's taking too long to respond). I find myself asking everyone and their mother for advice, tearing through spiritual memoirs, and (when I've exhausted those avenues) simply Googling "What do I do..."
While I often do gain wisdom and insight (and often encouragement) from these resources, and while God does indeed speak through people, books, places and circumstances, I found they don't quite scratch the itch. Something is missing, because no matter how holy the friend, how good the memoir, or how applicable the book is, nothing can replace intimacy with the Lord. So finally, I go to the place I should have gone first: straight to the Lord.
Bringing our questions, intentions, and desires to God can be scary. This week I realized that there are a few things on my prayer list that I need to take to Him – but I'm afraid about what He might ask me to do. This is such a subtle and sneaky and frequent attack of the Enemy: he suggests to us that God can't possibly have our good in mind, and that if we trust Him and seek out His Will, it will let us down.
I know that's not true, because I know the character of God. And so I'm praying for the courage and peace to bring Him everything, in total trust that He will guide me in the way I should go. "Be not afraid!" says Jesus, over and over again.
God wants us to know His will even more than we want to know it! If you're feeling a similar resistance in your prayer I have this week, I encourage us all to come boldly before the Lord, in honesty, to tell Him that this is a hard thing for us to bring to prayer, and to beg Him for consolation, joy, and peace.
As always, I'm in it with you!
In Christ,
Jane
Ep. 103 | A Psalm 23 Summer
Summer is here!! And this year, I've been completely captivated by Psalm 23 and what it says about rest, trust, and God's nearness. This week, let's pray and reflect on Psalm 23 together! Tune in here on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!
Wisdom from St. Josemaria
"It is inevitable that you should feel the rub of other people's characters against your own. After all, you are not a gold coin that everyone likes. Besides, without that friction produced by contact with others, how would you ever lose those corners, those edges and projections — the imperfections and defects — of your character, and acquire the smooth and regular finish, the firm flexibility of charity, of perfection? If your character and the characters of those who live with you were soft and sweet like sponge-cake you would never become a saint." Oof. That's a word!
Paris recs please!
I'm heading to Paris for the first time in a couple of weeks (!!) and would love your recs – I'm also planning a day trip to Lisieux and Rouen (To see my girls St. Therese and St. Joan of Arc!) so if you've been there and have a rec please let me know 😊
Okay I just discovered the AirFly – it's a bluetooth device that plugs into any audio jack so you can use your AirPods (or any other bluetooth headphones) on a plane!! Probably the best thing I have purchased in months. It made my cross-country flight so easy, and I'll be using it a lot this summer too!
My AirFly in action
Happy Fourth of July!
I'm in Tahoe this week with my family to celebrate the holiday – I hope you all are taking a little break and enjoying a day (or a few!) off!
My view as I write this newsletter! Swoon.
Prayer requests
For baby Brynn who made her appearance this week! And for her mom, Carly
For everyone traveling for the holiday
For a special intention!