Did I Hear the Voice of God Wrong and Make a Mistake?
Inside: What if we had made a huge mistake and heard the voice of God wrong? We don’t admit often, but don’t we wonder about the jobs God sends our way?
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About 5 years ago, we felt God pricking our hearts to relocate across the state. It was an irrational idea because my husband owns a company where we lived. It would be two hours away if we relocated. We weren’t sure how the logistics of that would work, but God had it all planned out.
During this time, His power was visible. Land offers came into place, business logistics worked out, and the kids really liked the area. It seemed like every checkbox was being checked off and it was happening.
We witnessed God’s hand strongly in our life during this time.
When the boxes were emptied, and the kids were in school, I started to feel like I was treading water.
The power, which had got us through this journey, seemed to have left with the cardboard boxes to the recycling plant.
Misinterpreted Nudges?
I started to feel like maybe I misinterpreted the nudge.
Could it have been my idea?
What if we had made a huge mistake and heard the voice of God wrong?
If it was God’s will, shouldn’t everything keep working out?
Consequently, I began to feel frustrated and weak; I was pathetic when I had started off filled with power and passion.
Our family left everything behind for this move. God should keep filling me with power.
Isn’t it easy to second guess and throw in the towel when it gets hard?
The Hard Times of Paul
Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not (2 Corinthians 11:24-26, NLT).
For one thing, I wonder if Paul ever questioned what God had him doing?
We don’t admit often, but don’t we wonder the path God wants us to walk? Sometimes the pain and struggle just lead us to give up.
These hard times Paul experienced, caused his faith to dig its roots in deeper.
He needed to lean on God, and trust what God was doing in his life.
When Paul felt powerless, God became powerful.
Is that true for you?
When I went through this season, I was weak. My mind and soul were struggling. In those moments, I needed God’s help like never before. I had to expectedly believe God would supply me strength, even if I couldn’t see or feel Him present.
To put it another way, God never disappointed me. Power always came and it never ran out.
When I look back, I see my faith roots spreading deeper and stronger. Looking ahead, I know when tough seasons hit, God will be there.
Discerning the Voice of God – Bible Study Book – Revised: How to Recognize When God SpeaksDiscerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize When God is Speaking
The Voice of God: How to Hear and Speak Words from God
Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God
Awaken: 90 Days with the God Who Speaks
Five Tips for When We Think We Heard the Voice of God Wrong
- Admit we can’t do anything ourselves.
- Declare we need God’s power.
- Ditch pride, and ask for His power.
- Lean on God and trust Him.
- Believe in expectation, God is leading.
The season has since passed, and God keeps surprising us with clues about why He moved us here.
These little signs, humble me because I wish I wouldn’t have doubted so much.
Here’s the thing, I need to plant myself on the truth, God has it all worked out. The seasons of weakness are a great thing because they adhere us closer to Him.
Stay close! Stay snug! God is working it all out.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take (Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT).
Julie, I just started a theme on seasons. You have spoken to my heart. I have been guilty of doubting God. “Did I hear you clearly or not”. I love your #3, ditch pride and ask for power. Oh how I need the Holy Spirit’s power to take me through this season of life. I am powerless but I serve a God who is omnipotent. Isn’t that comforting?
Calvonia- yes it’s comforting! I have a lot of pride too. I need a whole lot of God here!
Blessings on your week!
Julie
I so relate to your words, Julie. I know that it’s been in my seasons of doubt when I’ve really had to lean on God and trust Him, even though everything around me felt weak and wobbly. So glad that we don’t have to do this thing (especially moving!!) alone.
Tiffany- It’s hard to trust when it seems like everything is falling out of place, isn’t it?
Trust seems to be where God has me right now!
Have a good week!
Julie
Love the honesty here. It can be easy to doubt God and His calling, but we can get through these times of doubt with faith!
Kalinann-
Thank you! Faith is the answer isn’t it?
Julie
God’s timing is never lost on me… sometimes it feels LATE… but never lost! Just today as I was processing with a friend, I was working things out and coming to the conclusion that yes, again, I have no doubt in what He has called us to… the temptation to doubt is strong sometimes… but the foundation of faith and the knowing He is leading still realigns our hope to stay focused on Him! So good! (Perfect timing to read this post!) 😉
Karrilee- Thanks for commenting! I’m glad it was perfect timing for you. God is amazing how He does that, isn’t He?
Julie
Thank you for sharing this! My hubby and I had a similar situation pop up and we wondered why we were going through it when we thought we were following God’s plan. He has been gracious in giving us peace through the transition!
Vanessa- I’m happy to hear you are finding peace amidst the transition.
Thanks for stopping!
Julie
I have been there in a great big way, too, Julie. At the time, I kept looking back at the affirmations God had given me before the decision. I had to trust that I’d heard Him right, or crumble. I am so thankful for those affirmations God gave me to help my faith in moments of weakness. Thanks, Julie. I so love what you do here – you resonate with the hearts of so many! And thanks for sharing at #MomentsofHope!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Lori- I like God’s affirmations too, but sometimes I find myself needing affirmations for His affirmations:( It’s like I don’t really believe or think he’s tricking me.
Thank you for such kind words!
Julie
Yes! It’s so hard some times, to know if it’s our own ideas working out in our lives or if it’s God leading us–but digging deeper and relying on him with our fears and uncertainties certainly makes things clear…and often the lesson we learn is not the one we thought God had in mind for us ;).
Anita- Amen! God is so wise in all His doings with me. Trust is my problem;)
Julie
Pearl- so glad it spoke to you! Thank you for subscribing!
Julie
Just because something seems to be going wrong doesn’t mean that God isn’t in the midst of it. Often He refines us on purpose to make us better able to serve Him.
Susan- it’s so hard to keep this perspective when you’re smack dab in the middle of a hard circumstance!
Beautiful Julie.. Just what I needed. Too blessed… sharing it.
Oh, it’s so easy to doubt our decisions when things get hard. Is it an obstacle God wants to bring us through or is it a roadblock that God is putting up to stop us? Second guessing can be such a faith killer, but I am guilty of it often! Yes, remembering that being in God’s will doesn’t mean being without trial and that even if we did make a mistake, God is still with us and knows our heart to follow Him, so He will work it all out anyway, truly is helpful.
Katie- I’m a second guesser and I just need to trust more. I analyze and overanalyze and it impedes my trust and my faith!
This is a great reminder Julie! I’m sitting in a situation where I feel God is leading me but I’m not sure and I’m questioning if it’s me or Him. Sometimes it’s so hard to discern.
Melissa- I think it’s important to ask yourself questions like:
Does it line up with God’s word?
Does it showcase God or me?
You are speaking my language! So many times I feel like I am following God’s leading and then radio silence. I’ve learned to just stay put but it can be a challenge!
Alice- I will often try to take control of the situation and make a mess of it!
Often times, it’s #5 that’s the hardest for me – in the waiting. That’s when I begin questioning and wondering if I screwed up.
Erin- Waiting and trusting is hard for me also!
Ditching our pride…. That’s where many of us lose it. Pride is not always evident in subtle gestures like, “does God love me”, “I am worried”, “I have to do this on my own”. …. if we can leave these to Him, our ears are tuned…
Ann- thank you for sharing this! Pride inhabits each of us somewhere!
Numbers 1 and 3 go hand in hand for me. I have to remember that I can’t do anything without Jesus, ditch my pride and ask for His power. That’s the only way I can make it through.
Heather- I can’t do anything without Him either.
Paul is such a beautiful example of carrying on through tremendous trials and struggles. It can be hard to discern God’s voice. So hard that we look for affirmation in an easy way. You are so right, the way isn’t easy always. I also take comfort in knowing that nothing that I do or don’t do could hinder the Will of God. He will always make it good. <3 Thanks for sharing Julie!
Katie- It is hard to hear His voice. I still have times where I can’t.
That is comforting to know His plans succeed even when I mess them up!