In the book Win Friends and Influence People, it mentions to gain influence listen to people. But the main concept behind it is most people aren’t listening to each other. We have communication problems because we don’t take the time to see things from another viewpoint.
What about the communication problems people that have been in church for years have with the Lord? The truth is we are more interested in the things we desire that we have glorified them above him many times to even really learn to listen to him. We have preconceived ideas of what we want for our families, our careers, and our future endeavors, that we don’t leave room for him to insert himself.
Many times people are “prayer warriors” and their life is still so messed up. They haven’t stepped into a calmness that comes from being led by the Holy Spirit. I don’t mean that the outside will always be calm, but if we are good at listening during prayer, he will lead us step by step and we can be assured that our steps really are ordered of the Lord. He can lead us to work out even the most difficult situations.
The stress, the worry, the begging God to make our lives exactly like we saw in the home decorating catalog instead of asking him how to take care of what he has already given us, is a hard way to live. We may be carrying precious jewels in our hands where with the right guidance from the Holy Spirit could turn into exactly what we need, but we are too busy noticing that they look like 5 smooth stones.
The more I quiet myself down and listen for what he has to say and actually focus on doing those things, the more peace I feel and the more he can trust me with more. When I am begging God for what I want, there is no room for surrender. When I don’t allow him to speak but I come to him with a “me, me, me” attitude, I don’t leave room for his revelation of my life.
Take some time today to just sit and listen. Sit in quiet until you feel like he has laid something on your heart or until you feel like you have received guidance for how to have a better life.
