Seeking God and hearing His voice – Jeremiah 6:16

When God seems quiet...listen!

I’m starting this week in the middle of a season of many changes. Some good, some scary. I’ve been in the middle of some decisions that will affect generations of people, as well as some small decisions that only affect me and my family. Whether big or little, these decisions lately have really bogged down my heart. 

I’ve been tired, restless, anxious. You name an emotion, I’ve likely felt it in the past month! The difficult thing with decisions is knowing whether or not you are making the right one. It’s so hard!! 

I’ve been praying more than usual through this, some days just begging God to give me direction. I straight out asked Him to tell me what to do. And what did He say?

Nothing.

I asked, and asked, and festered. I talked to everyone around me, asking for help. I wore myself out pondering different scenrios. I’d take a break, breathe and once again ask God for guidance, for peace in my soul. Again…nothing. I asked Him to open doors. 

Nothing. 

I asked Him to close doors.

Nothing. 

I got so frustrated that I decided the only logical thing to do was to take matters into my own hands and just make the darn decision.

And that’s when it happened…

When I wasn’t looking, when I had given up, a door SLAMMED SHUT. Like almost literally!!

You’d think that this would give me peace, knowing it is what I prayed for, but my stubborn human nature took over and asked God right away why He made the wrong decision! It had to be some mistake! So I festered and mulled, talked to my friends just feeding my soul nothing but restlessness, anger and discontentment. 

Then I saw this: 



Then almost like a movie playing in my mind, I remembered praying for direction, asking God to open doors, begging Him to help me find peace. It was when I gave up and took my eyes off of Him when I got my answer, but out of stubborn fear I completely missed the rest in my soul that I could have had if I recognized God’s hand at work! He was showing me the path, but I had already chosen the one I thought was better…shame on me!

How often do you do that?  Do you ever think that your way is better than Gods way? And then wonder why you feel so unsettled? Do you ever ask for answers but then get mad when God doesn’t answer the way you want Him to?

Like it says in todays verse, we need to ask God where the good way is, and then walk in it. Does the good way always look like our way? Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t. But if we follow the path set before us by God, we will find that rest that our souls crave. He promises us that!

 

Bible Journaling Prompts

Apply what you’ve learned

***If you are new to Gathered & Sown and Bible journaling, watch this short video first***
♡When we are actively looking at our circumstances, we can begin to recognize God working on our behalf. We’ll see “doors open and doors close” meaning that sometimes He will remove us from situations or environments that are keeping us from walking in His will, and sometimes He’ll drop us into unexpected situations where we can be used for His good! This week, study these Scripture passages and try to look for evidence of God opening and closing doors in your life. Write them all down in your journal.
  1. Jeremiah 29:11
  2. Luke 9:23
  3. Proverbs 3:5-6
  4. Hebrews 10:36
  5. Ephesians 2:10
  6. Romans 8:28-39
  7. Ecclesiastes 3:10-14
  8. Genesis 28:15
Not every door that God opens is a door to happiness and joy. Sometimes we have to walk through trials and suffering. While these times are difficult and sometimes scary, we need to remember that they are not the end! Job’s story reflects a steadfast faith in the middle of great trials. His story reminds us that our pain here on earth can’t compare to the joy that is to come! (Romans 8:18)
Read the following Bible passages to hear a bit more about the times of struggle and how God can use even the difficult times: (sorry, there were so many good ones, I had a hard time narrowing it down!)
  1. Job 42:2-3
  2. 1 Peter 5:10
  3. 2 Corinthians 4:17
  4.  Isaiah 43:2
  5.  James 1:2-4, 12
  6.  John 16:33
  7.  Psalm 34:19
  8.  Revelation 21:4
  9.  Romans 5:3
  10.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4
  11.  1 Peter 4:12-13
  12.  Matthew 5:10-12
 This week, I want to challenge you to look at the little things in your life and watch for Gods hand at work. 
-Seek His help where you need it, wait expectantly, and then thank Him, regardless of the circumstances. 
-Grab your journal and ask yourself these questions. 
I’m going to warn you…these are BIG questions! But I encourage you to take a few minutes to reflect on each one so you can watch God’s hand at work. 

1) Where do I need to seek Gods will in my life right now? 
2) Are there any areas of my life where I’ve been trying to manipulate situations to fit my own will?
3) Are there any situations in my life where God has clearly shown me what to do or not to do? How did I handle that?

Once you answer these questions, commit these situations to prayer for the next few weeks. Journal each day as you pray through them to give yourself a visual reminder of how God is working through this season in your life.

Remember, friend, we all go through this, we are in this together! Not a single one of us is perfect, which is why we need God’s help. And He’s always there, isn’t that awesome?!?

I’d love to hear what you think! Keep the conversation going in the comments below. If you are comfortable, share how you see God working in your life, or even an area where you are seeking Him, but aren’t hearing Him like you would like……..We’re all in this together, and I’d love to encourage you!

♡ Want to find a simple way to make Bible study a part of your everyday routine? Check here, where I lay out 7 easy steps to personal Bible study.
 
 

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The first step to recognizing God's grace in your life is spending time in His Word

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2 Responses

  1. Wow! This exactly what I’ve been going through for the last few months.. I’ve been absolutely exhausting myself trying to take over as I wrestle with my oldest daughter graduating and moving on. Then I decide to attempt to start a new career at my age. I was reminded that His grace is readily available if I just ask Him for help. Holy cow, I actually asked for His help and I felt peaceful again.

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