By Rhonda Sassano
How to hear (really!) the voice of God
If you are like me, I struggle to recognize the voice of the Lord. Especially when I’m hurting inside over … well, whatever the latest situation is. Couple that with constantly battling depression, and I’m in a pickle just trying to pluck up courage to pray, much less hear what He’s really saying. But. I came across the “Honesty Tool” a couple of years ago. All the kudos to Jonathon and Melissa Helser and the team at Cageless Birds (find them on FaceBook!) for putting it together and making it available. The Honesty Tool can be found in at least two of their Captivated workbooks, volumes 4 and 6. But here it is in a nutshell:
Using the Honesty Tool
When you encounter a situation that brings up an intense reaction, either internally or externally (or both), STOP. As soon as possible, find a quiet place and walk through these steps.
- Grab something with which to write things down (pen and paper are best, but a tablet works too.) Say, “Holy Spirit, I need your help. What is really going on when that happens?” Then, write down the gist of the situation that created your angst.
- Include thoughts and feelings that you were experiencing because of the situation.
- Reflect. Go back and read what you wrote down. Underline any thoughts that are scripturally untrue.
- Say, “Holy Spirit, speak to me the truth. What does Father say about these things?”
5. Write down what the Father says in the form of a letter from Him to you.
Start with “Dear Name,” and write it all down. Don’t stop until He finishes. Don’t worry, you’ll know.
Let me share a sample with you from my own experience. I’ll try not to give TMI ;D
Holy Spirit, what is really going on here? I feel detached. From you. I realize I’m disappointed about having to find another job, but this detached feeling started before that. Losing a couple very important items for a week certainly didn’t help. Not finding them even after I prayed has been a let-down, too. But I did find all three items eventually, so thank you for that. My better half needs regular medical care right now, and it’s unknown how far into the future that will need to continue. The expense alone is … more than I can think about without getting overwhelmed. And despite my prayers for healing, the situation worsened…it’s hard to keep believing when that happens. I don’t know what to do differently with diet and physical aspects to help the healing begin. I do know ALL healing comes from You, so maybe I should just receive it as it comes and not fuss about the delivery or lack thereof…. Lack of success with my website is a blow, too, because I thought that would be a source of income and I wouldn’t need to keep looking for employment. We experienced some unexpected rejection by friends and family members at a wedding we had traveled to attend. Then, a very close friend didn’t appreciate my answer to an impertinent query. Then they asked me, “How come worshipping doesn’t fix you?” I was shocked and hurt at the lack of understanding.
I am really struggling to process all the disappointment. Are they all just paper tigers, meant to keep me from Your Presence? Out of the Holy of Holies? To obscure the sight of Your throne? Your face? All together they do not seem momentary or light afflictions. They feel heavy and burdensome and cumbersome. I try to lay them down, but another one always comes…
(Pause right here for a sec. I should go back and underline some of the lies in the previous paragraphs, but I didn’t want to interrupt your reading. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the lies to you…)
Holy Spirit, please speak to me Your truth. What does Father say about these things?
“My Precious Rhonda. None of this is meant for your disappointment. I am letting these things stir up stuff from the bottom so I can skim them off the top. So the top water will be as clear and refreshing as what’s coming out of the dike. I know you look at your life and see nothing but debris and swirling mud. I receive your worship in the midst of the struggle. It is a sacrifice that I admire and receive with such immense joy! Don’t let go of the life preservers of my Word and your own worship! Floods eventually recede. Let Me get rid of the debris before it settles back into place. Keep telling yourself the truth! “Think on these things,” keep your focus on ME, on the eternal! You are doing GREAT! You continue to obey even with a small cheat here and there, but I truly don’t mind, if it helps you fast longer. The idea of income from the website wasn’t in My plan. It won’t meet the need. And that is OK. It’s My job to provide for you, not yours. You just trust ME. You keep worshipping.
And btw, worshipping doesn’t “fix you.” It changes your perspective of ME, not necessarily those in your life. That’s not the purpose of worship. The purpose of worship is to glorify Me, to make Me bigger in your life. Don’t respond to the manipulative comments. Don’t act in kind when the opportunity arises. Your friend belongs to Me. I will get through to them in My own way, in My own time. Keep reminding yourself of the good things. All the good things. Of the truth of My Word. You’ve experienced it for yourself. Call it to mind. Still true, regardless of emotions. I, even I am saying these things to you, my Beloved. They are true and I love you intensely. Remember the “word for the year” that I gave you: “ALL OF IT”…. “All of it” is on the way, and already happening!
Love, Abba”
I hope you can sense the Father’s heart towards me in His reply. He doesn’t avoid the questions. His answers are direct, poignant, and reasonable. How do I know it’s the Father’s voice and not out of my own head? That’s easy… I am not so kind to myself, or so encouraging. I never refer to myself as “precious” or remind myself to refer to the Word or acknowledge that emotions are less important than the truth of Scripture. All those things assure me that whenever I turn to Him with my whole heart, He is there. He answers. Even better and more incredulous, He WANTS to speak to me and He WANTS me to hear and recognize His voice.
Now, you have a choice. The only question is, are you ready to hear His voice? Sit down with pen and paper. Think back to your last overreaction or intense response. Follow the steps and see what happens. I think you’ll like it!
With joy and renewed hope,
Rhonda
P.S. If you are struggling with anxiety, disappointment, fear, discouragement, or depression, please reach out to me. There are several options on my bio page, but here’s the easiest way: email me at sunnyshade13@gmail.com. I’m a certified mental health coach who also struggles with some of the above, and I would be honored to help you on the journey to better mental health and even healing.
