![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on October 26, 2005, at 22:20:36
I often feel, and usually act on, promptings that I believe are from the still small voice.
But I'm having a prompting right now that I am a bit suspicious of, because it's rather conveniently close to understandable fears that I could possibly be having. On the other hand, dismissing the prompting is what my brain would rather do.
So I'm left wondering. I *do* believe in the gift of God's spirit, that is with you always and prompts you to make the right choices at various forks in the road, if you are just open to hearing it. But I also think we can fool ourselves sometimes into thinking things are God's will, when really they aren't.
Posted by rayww on October 27, 2005, at 0:24:39
In reply to How can you tell the still small voice?, posted by Dinah on October 26, 2005, at 22:20:36
My opinion is you need to condition yourself to the spirit by being obedient to all the little promptings if you want to be sure of the hard ones. I tried an experiment on this when I was a young mother, and it worked. Little things like "go check on the kids" "time to start dinner", "go get the mail", just anything that I received a prompting to do I would do. There wouldn't be any complaining, or talking myself out of it, or saying I didn't want to (like I do now), Gosh, you know, I think I need to go back and try again. Maybe that's why I haven't been noticing many lately. I've been arguing, and saying "because I just don't want to, that's why". I think it helps to recognize they come from the same place as your conscience, almost. One way they come is as a thought planted all at once, like all the words are planted at the same millisecond. It usually startles you a little, and you think "what was that?" Also, the still small voice would not tell you do do something contrary to keeping the commandments. But it would have you walk through fear, and once you put a foot forward you would be carried. Does god ever tell you to do something then leave you to do it alone? Some things are really hard, but life is hard too. If life wasn't hard it would be easy. These are just my thoughts, but I'm too tired to think right now.
Posted by messadivoce on October 27, 2005, at 1:18:12
In reply to How can you tell the still small voice?, posted by Dinah on October 26, 2005, at 22:20:36
Dearest Dinah,
This is a toughie...I've always struggled with wondering if what I feel prompted to do is God telling me, nudging me, or just my own confused mind.
IMHO, I believe there are a few ways to hear the voice of God. If one hears a prompting, then I think it's best to measure it against the Bible (which I believe to be God's words, I know others may disagree) and to spend time with other followers of God and discuss it with them, ask for their prayers.
Dinah, I know you've been weathering some tough stuff as of late. I am praying for you and cheering on the unbreakable spirit God gave you. I pray you find peace and the right answer to whatever decisions you face.
Love,
Voce
Posted by Dinah on October 28, 2005, at 19:36:23
In reply to Re: How can you tell the still small voice? » Dinah, posted by rayww on October 27, 2005, at 0:24:39
I've always tried to listen to the promptings in matters great and small.
But this is a tough one. I keep getting a feeling of calm certainty that it's time to move on, time to move away from here. But that is right in keeping with any quite reasonable fears I have about staying for another hurricane. On the other hand, I don't really want to move, because my husband would have to take a pay cut, my son would lose his school and friends, etc. Altogether I'd rather assume this is just fear, not the still small voice. But that feeling of calm certainty seems soooo familiar.
Posted by Dinah on October 28, 2005, at 19:39:15
In reply to Re: How can you tell the still small voice? » Dinah, posted by messadivoce on October 27, 2005, at 1:18:12
I always do measure it against what God would have me do according to the Bible. But I'm not sure that the Bible would speak in either way about this one.
I guess I need to pray more about it.
Thanks, Voce. I appreciate your kindness.
Posted by rayww on October 29, 2005, at 10:03:58
In reply to Re: How can you tell the still small voice? » rayww, posted by Dinah on October 28, 2005, at 19:36:23
Years ago when our house burned I had the distinct impression that it was another step in the right direction. Sometimes all you need is that calm assurance that this is a step in the right direction. When I met my husband, there were no fireworks, no message, "YES" marry this man", but same feeling. I knew then it wouldn't be easy, but it has proven so right for both of us. If you have a feeling of calm assurance, trust it. Your reasons are not the same as God's, but His pay off in more ways. Sometimes all we need to know is that we are moving in the right direction. What is the opposite? It has been labelled "stupor of thought".
I didn't know you were in the hurricane. Have you written about it here somewhere? I'm so sorry. It sounds like doors are already opening. When you exercise your faith you have to take a step into the unknown, and sometimes it seems very dark as you do. Entering unknown territory is the most scary place to be, but once light enters, its ok. Change comes to each of us you know. Isn't life just a series of transitions?
Posted by Dinah on October 29, 2005, at 19:52:17
In reply to Re: How can you tell the still small voice? » Dinah, posted by rayww on October 29, 2005, at 10:03:58
I've spent most of my life avoiding change. :)
I'm afraid the decision isn't mine alone. My husband seems to be favoring staying here.
And my mood has nosedived so much the last few days that I'm not sure I could feel the still small voice right now.
I do need to remember to have a talk with my son about it though. I'm not sure how much information he gets on it in Sunday School.
Posted by rayww on October 29, 2005, at 21:37:15
In reply to Re: How can you tell the still small voice? » rayww, posted by Dinah on October 29, 2005, at 19:52:17
I think you have heard it, but it is easy to talk ourself out of. There is a difference between Holy Ghost and conscience levels of feeling the still small voice.
Did you know the word "Holy Ghost" has been taken out of most translations of the New Testament? I just discovered that tonight. http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=%22Holy+Ghost%22&x=9&y=6
Posted by Dinah on November 1, 2005, at 8:10:42
In reply to Re: How can you tell the still small voice? » Dinah, posted by rayww on October 29, 2005, at 21:37:15
Yes, I remember being told to start calling it the Holy Spirit as opposed to the Holy Ghost. Something about making it less scary to the kids.
I usually call it neither, to tell the truth. I guess because I don't conceive it so much as an entity as a gift from God. I don't even think of it so much as a whispering from God. I can't really explain it. I guess I see it as a gift more like eyes or ears. A different sensory receiver. Perhaps that's more in keeping with my view of God.
But of course, I have no real idea. Just a way of thinking that heaven only knows where I've picked up.
Depression and fear are clouding my ability to feel it right now. I'm praying, and gratefully accepting prayers from others, for clarity and wisdom.
Posted by rayww on November 1, 2005, at 8:45:51
In reply to Re: How can you tell the still small voice? » rayww, posted by Dinah on November 1, 2005, at 8:10:42
Depression and fear are clouding my ability to feel it right now. I'm praying, and gratefully accepting prayers from others, for clarity and wisdom.
"ditto", me too, and I am.
Posted by Maynerd on November 1, 2005, at 11:55:24
In reply to How can you tell the still small voice?, posted by Dinah on October 26, 2005, at 22:20:36
There is one good measure that I have found that works quite well for me, I listen to how the voice communicates. Whenever the voice tells me what to do or tries to bombard me with thoughts until I give in to its demands, I always end up the hurt loser. When the voice offers me suggestions or alternative options to something but doesn't ever insist I choose any specific path, I tend to not be the victim. I think it is up to us to a certain extent to decide which path we choose to walk, it used to be hard for me to sublimate the demanding spirits voices, now it is easier for me through practice and faith. I guess it is like my grandmother always tells me; a true friend will never selfishly demand things of you that only benefit themselves, rather they will freely offer any guidance and help you need while going through life. Same goes for spirit voices I think.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Faith | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.