We often ask the Spirit for advice, or to help us through a situation. But how do we know if the Spirit is listening, or answering? Many times the answers we are looking for are not the answers that we want to hear. For us to know if God is speaking to us, we must first be willing to accept the messages we are being given.
Many of us are resistant to the messages all around us. There are so many conflicting elements in the world around us, it is very difficult to decipher the truth among so many discrepancies. Nor does it help when the societal messages are conflicting with the messages that the Spirit is trying to send us.
Our first step is knowing if God is speaking to us (and God, the Spirit, is ALWAYS speaking to us), is being willing to accept the message – whether it is what we want to hear, or not. We must learn to shut out the external stimuli whether it is the tv, radio, etc. We must also learn to turn off the voices in our head that keep yammering and causing us internal conflict.
Create a quiet moment, a quiet space, and simply breathe. By focusing on breathing, we can turn off the external noise and begin to focus on the peace within ourselves. Once we begin to find the peace, we then can listen to the voice of the Spirit within. We can notice things that we were not capable of before, and see a much larger picture of what we are looking for answers to. We may not have accepted the answer before, but by looking within we become more receptive to seeing the whole situation. We will gain clarity, and be able to more readily accept the answers we are being given.
It takes time and practice, but a few moments a day is all that it takes to get started. Even by focusing on breathing for just five minutes a day out of our busy lives is enough for us to begin listening to the still small voice of God inside of each of us.
The Warriors Den 