Quotes about Listening

I'm always asking God for direction, but I'll miss it if I constantly ignore His instruction. (11)

remember not every face-to-face confrontation needs a verbal response

We are to be people of truth with grace-filled words. People who choose healing and helpful words. Because whether we realize it or not, believers and unbelievers alike are listening intently to the words we speak. They're reading the words we type. And our words testify to the kind of relationship we have with Jesus and the kind of effect He has on our hearts.

History would be far different if we did not tend to hear God most clearly when we think He is telling us exactly what it is we want to hear

You will find it hard to hear from God until you let go your rights and your agenda.

Shouting is obvious; not talking to each other slips by.

Thus we might not know we have a sage at the table, for he will remain silent while the "experts" prattle on and on.

To be clear, I am not listening for an audible voice, as I would if you and I were talking. I am listening for his gentle voice within, for that is where Jesus dwells—within our very hearts (Eph. 3:17).

Many relationships fail for the insistence of treating others as problems to be solved, rather than as hearts to be known and loved.

Now, if I am having a hard time hearing God's voice, or being certain that I have heard, I will sometimes try on one answer, then the other. Still in a posture of quiet listening, I will add to my prayers, Are you saying yes, Jesus? Are you saying you want us to go? Pause. Listen. Or are you saying no—you don't want us to go? Often as we try on one answer or another, our spirit can feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit through a confirmation, or a strong sense of reservation.

Pressure nearly always guarantees you will have a hard time discerning what God is saying, if you hear anything at all.

Sorrow more beautiful than Beauty's self. There was a listening fear in her regard, As if calamity had but begun; As if the vanward clouds of evil days Had spent their malice, and the sullen rear 40 Was with its stored thunder labouring up.