Recently, I conducted a reader survey and found that most of my readers were in their 40s and 50s and were having difficulty hearing the voice of God while trying to discern their God-given purpose.
Conventional wisdom says that at this point in your life you should know that. Afterall, you’ve lived enough life -but I’m learning that’s not the case.
Many of you have been busy working and/or raising your family -which is a purpose in and of itself and now you’re in a place in your life trying to figure out what’s next for you and what God is saying.
Watch the video to learn the 6 reasons that I believe hearing the voice of God in midlife may be difficult for you:
1. You think it should be easier
You figure at this point in your life, you should already know your gifts, talents and purpose. So instead of spending time in presence of God – seeking Him in prayer and petition – you spend time being angry with yourself or with God. Or you beat your self up and exert energy regretting past mistakes and decisions.
2. Your mind is cluttered
We grew up in an era where we had less outside influence in terms of our attention. Life is different now…we have so much more vying for our time and attention – that it diminishes our ability to hear the voice of God.
3. You Spend Quasi-Intimate Time with God
You spend more time reading, watching or hearing about God than you do WITH God. It’s good to hear others points of view but as my grandmother use to say – you have know the Lord for yourself!
4. Multi-tasking Myth
This is in line with having a cluttered and distracted mind. If you’ve reached midlife – you should have recognized that multi-tasking is a myth. Our brains are conducting multiple tasks as a time – it’s only switching from one thing to the next thing.
James 1:7-8 asserts that you shouldn’t expect to her the voice of God if you are not in a stable and clear state of mind. Thus, hearing God’s voice requires simplicity and singleness in endeavor.
5. You’re Too Distracted
We are too tuned into social media, the news, reality tv, other people’s live and what other’s might think of you to hear from God. To the naked eye it may seem though people in Generation X don’t have this issue…it’s a millennial thing.
Sorry to tell you but that’s not the case. A Nielsen report found that people between the ages of 35 to 49, spend almost seven hours a week on social media compared to 6 hours for millennials.
Take an inventory how much time you spend on distractions and see if you can’t allocate that time to God.
6. Selective Hearing/Listening
God IS speaking to you but He’s not saying what you want to hear. Sometimes we selectively choose what you want to hear and dismiss the rest.
God told Jonah to go to Ninevah but he interested in that – He didn’t want to do what God wanted Him to do and pretended not to hear Him. The consequences ended up with him being swallowed whole by a giant fish. At that point Jonah had no choice but to listen to God’s instructions.
Do you have difficulty discerning the voice of God? Let me know in the comments!
Neca, these are so true and all things I’ve had to deal with at one point or another. I’m in mid-life, too. : ) Lots of good insights here!
Thanks Leslie!!! Yep, there are so many things that we don’t think about when it comes to hearing His voice. Glad you stopped by!
I really am inspired by this. I know I let background noise distract me in life. I need to be more intentional in my alone time and intimacy with Christ. I hope you will consider joining us too over at the #LMMLinkup community. Your voice would bring a fresh perspective and depth to our linkup. http://maryanderingcreatively.com/thank-you-supporters/
Our intentional acts are what moves us forward in our spiritual growth! Thanks so much for stopping by and I will definitely check out your Link-up! Blessings!
This is great! So often we blame God when we can’t hear Him. But you’re so right – it’s because we aren’t listening in one form or another.
So true Emily! Thanks for stopping by!!!
Neca, you really nailed the reasons I know that I don’t feel like I am hearing from God. Thank you for your God- led insight. You are definitely on the right track and I am glad that God has chosen you to speak through for such a time as this. Thank you for your obedience in sharing!
Thanks Cherie! I pray that you begin to hear His voice more clearly!
Thank you so much for sharing this massage. Because I am too confusing hearing the voice of God but I know about my calling God chosen me for preach the gospel but now my financial condition is not good .I want to spend time with God I want to hearing the voice of God.
I am praying, not now and when in need only, but every time every day. There are miracles in every moment in my life. But still I feel, God needs to speak to me, I am still waiting to hear from God. I’m getting restless. I’m going to be 60 this year. I’m still working and by God’s grace I’m healthy. It’s all God’s grace. But, I’m still waiting to hear from God. I sometimes feel I’m not praying properly. That has still not answered my prayers.
Neca, your points are spot-on! Sometimes it does seem so hard to hear God’s voice, but of course He WANTS to be heard. So the problem must be with me. And the reasons are just as you described. Lord, help me slow down and focus on Your presence! Thank you so much for sharing!
Oh my this is so good! We need more voices like yours! I was surprised to read people between the ages of 35 to 49 spend almost seven hours a week on social media compared to 6 hours for millennials. Wow! I would’ve thought it was the opposite.
And I think my favorite is the advise from your Grandmother, “You need to know God for yourself.” What a profound truth. Thank you for all you do for women! KC