Whispering of the Spirit

[Avatar4321]

I’ve been trying to hear and follow the Spirit better. Today while working I heard the Spirits prompting twice.

First time I didn’t recognize That it was the Spirit until afterwards. He warned me to do something a certain way and I didn’t do it because I was in a hurry and wasn’t recognizing it, then something bad happened that took up more of my time.

the second time I noticed and listened and it seriously saved my time. If I hadn’t I wouldn’t have been home in time to get my daughter to karate class so she could get her next belt.

im grateful but I’m also reflective. Both times the impressions were so soft it would have been easy to miss them. Why is that? I know He has a still small voice but why is it so easy to miss?

am I the only one that overlooks promptings like this? It frustrates me that I don’t recognize them until afterwards 

[HappyJackWagon]

I've wondered a similar thing but from a different angle.

If God communicates with us by sending revelation that is so mild/quiet we don't notice, can our faith be strengthened or our obedience tested? If one of my children asked me a question and I answered so quietly that they couldn't hear it, or in such an obscure way that they couldn't understand it, was anything accomplished through my communication? Are they at fault for not hearing, or am I at fault for not being clear?

First, I think it very unlikely that a loving parent would constantly communicate in a way that tests his children. I would think a loving parent would want to communicate in a way that the child could recognize and grow from. If my child asks me a question and I give a clear answer that they can both hear and understand, then I can gauge whether or not my child trusts the answer I give and values the communication. If I don't communicate clearly then I can't really know if the child has trust/faith or not. I can't gauge whether or not they are being obedient. It would seem to be a flawed test.

 

[hope_for_things]

36 minutes ago, Avatar4321 said:

I’ve been trying to hear and follow the Spirit better. Today while working I heard the Spirits prompting twice.

First time I didn’t recognize That it was the Spirit until afterwards. He warned me to do something a certain way and I didn’t do it because I was in a hurry and wasn’t recognizing it, then something bad happened that took up more of my time.

the second time I noticed and listened and it seriously saved my time. If I hadn’t I wouldn’t have been home in time to get my daughter to karate class so she could get her next belt.

im grateful but I’m also reflective. Both times the impressions were so soft it would have been easy to miss them. Why is that? I know He has a still small voice but why is it so easy to miss?

am I the only one that overlooks promptings like this? It frustrates me that I don’t recognize them until afterwards 

I've found mindfulness practice has helped me to be more aware of things I'm thinking and feeling.  Personally I don't think these thoughts come from an external force though.  

[pogi]

46 minutes ago, Avatar4321 said:

Both times the impressions were so soft it would have been easy to miss them. Why is that? I know He has a still small voice but why is it so easy to miss?

I think it is a lesson on how to live our lives.  Most of us are distracted with worries about the future or regrets about the past...or lost in debate in online forums, or distracted by social media to the point some of us act like the prophet is asking us to chop off our arm when he suggests a 10 day fast.  Principles of mindfulness are replete in the scriptures, we need to be here in the present to where our life actually becomes a prayer unto God - as we are counseled to pray always.  It is all about listening.  The point is to not become so distracted by the overwhelming influx of information and different voices that we lose track of the still small voice.  I find it interesting that in the teachings of Buddhism, we are taught that through living the principles of mindfulness, of being present, our lives will be led as we are encouraged to "listen to the still, small voice within." They actually use the same exact phrasing of "still, small voice"...hmmmm, there must be something to it!

"Be still, and know that I am God."

It is a bout allowing ourselves to have ears to hear and eyes to see. Once you learn to tap into the Spirit which is ever present, everything seems to be enhanced.  We hear with new ears and see with new eyes.

 

Edited October 19, 2018 by pogi

[pogi]

38 minutes ago, HappyJackWagon said:

I've wondered a similar thing but from a different angle.

If God communicates with us by sending revelation that is so mild/quiet we don't notice, can our faith be strengthened or our obedience tested? If one of my children asked me a question and I answered so quietly that they couldn't hear it, or in such an obscure way that they couldn't understand it, was anything accomplished through my communication? Are they at fault for not hearing, or am I at fault for not being clear?

First, I think it very unlikely that a loving parent would constantly communicate in a way that tests his children. I would think a loving parent would want to communicate in a way that the child could recognize and grow from. If my child asks me a question and I give a clear answer that they can both hear and understand, then I can gauge whether or not my child trusts the answer I give and values the communication. If I don't communicate clearly then I can't really know if the child has trust/faith or not. I can't gauge whether or not they are being obedient. It would seem to be a flawed test.

The Spirit is always present.  The question is, are we?  

The only times that we don't/can't notice the voice is when we are not mindful and listening.  It is not that the voice is too quiet to notice, it is that our headphones and distractions are too loud.  It is all about listening..."he that hath ears to hear, let him hear..."   

It is not that God is not clear, it is that we are not listening.

Edited October 19, 2018 by pogi

[Avatar4321]

15 hours ago, HappyJackWagon said:

I've wondered a similar thing but from a different angle.

If God communicates with us by sending revelation that is so mild/quiet we don't notice, can our faith be strengthened or our obedience tested? If one of my children asked me a question and I answered so quietly that they couldn't hear it, or in such an obscure way that they couldn't understand it, was anything accomplished through my communication? Are they at fault for not hearing, or am I at fault for not being clear?

First, I think it very unlikely that a loving parent would constantly communicate in a way that tests his children. I would think a loving parent would want to communicate in a way that the child could recognize and grow from. If my child asks me a question and I give a clear answer that they can both hear and understand, then I can gauge whether or not my child trusts the answer I give and values the communication. If I don't communicate clearly then I can't really know if the child has trust/faith or not. I can't gauge whether or not they are being obedient. It would seem to be a flawed test.

 

I don’t know if it’s a matter of it being so quiet I can’t hear it. It’s more about me being focused enough to hear and recognize it.

i could ask my daughter a question a few feet from her in a normal voice and often she won’t hear be because her attention is elsewhere.

i think it’s more like that. Because we read that the Still Small Voice will pierce us through if we are hearing it.

im just trying to figure out the process better

[Veggie juicer]

For me, the whisperings are the spirit of God helping me love and honor my own reality and understandings. 

I believe we are all more intuitive....even those who aren't members of the church (!!)than we possibly could know.   When we honor ourselves the way Christ loves us, we hear our own understandings.  It requires both the saviors influence and our own emotional and physical intelligence. 

That's JMO.