What Christians Miss About Hearing God That Keeps Them Stuck

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TODAY'S TEACHING

But the path of the just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day.
—Proverbs 4:18

Most people don’t realize that learning to hear God’s voice doesn’t happen overnight. It isn’t a skill we sharpen like a tool, and once sharp, it's over. It’s a relationship that slowly unfolds every single day, layer by layer, like a flower that refuses to bloom all at once. When it opens, we start sensing Him more deeply, talking with Him more freely, and following the Holy Spirit with a confidence that surprises even us.

I once knew a woman from church named Marilyn who felt close to God for months and then suddenly hit a wall she couldn’t explain. Everything felt flat and empty, as if her spiritual lungs couldn’t catch a full breath. She later said that the restlessness wasn’t a sign something was wrong… it was a sign God was drawing her into something new.

That’s usually how it works. Our spirit knows before our mind catches up when something isn’t quite right in our walk with God. The Holy Spirit nudges, leads, whispers, and often won’t leave us alone until we pay attention. And this is where many Christians get stuck ...trying to cling to what used to work, instead of recognizing that God is gently leading them forward into a deeper place with Him.

When that inner uneasiness rises, it rarely means we’ve failed. More often, it means God knows we’re ready for more and He’s urging us to step into deeper waters with Him. He’s always moving, and He invites us to move with Him instead of clinging to the old ways that once worked but no longer fit where He’s taking us.

Don’t be afraid to release a method, a habit, or even a mindset that once served you well. Hearing God is not a technique to master and then you're done. It’s a relationship to grow in, and relationships never stay static. And the more closely you walk with God and get to know Him more on a daily basis, the easier it is to hear His voice.

If this resonates with you, here's a short prayer you can say today:

"Dear God, draw me into the kind of relationship with You that grows richer and deeper every day. Help me remember that hearing Your voice becomes clearer as my closeness with You strengthens, just like any friendship that matures over time. Peel back the layers in me that keep me stuck, and breathe fresh hunger into my spirit. I want to walk with You step by step for the rest of my life, hearing You with confidence as our relationship deepens. Amen."

God bless you!

Your brother in Christ,

Daniel
Daily Effective Prayer™

P.S. - Thank you for allowing me to connect with you through email. If you ever want to UNSUBSCRIBE you can do so at the bottom of any of my emails - no questions asked. God bless you.

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DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS

1. Are Christians paying attention to the inner restlessness that may be God’s invitation to go deeper?

Sometimes we chalk up our discomfort to distraction or fatigue, but often it’s God stirring our spirit because something needs to shift. When we slow down and actually notice Him drawing us closer, we begin recognizing His voice in the middle of our everyday lives. And as we learn to respond, we grow steadier, clearer, and more confident in our walk with Him.

2. Are we treating hearing God like a skill to master instead of a relationship to nurture?

It’s easy to slip into performance mode, thinking we must “get it right,” but God isn’t grading us. He’s guiding us, inviting us, and drawing us into something living and growing. When we remember that relationships develop in layers, we stop striving and start receiving.

3. Are Believers willing to leave behind old methods when God's Spirit asks us to?

Most of us love familiarity, but spiritual growth requires holy flexibility. When God nudges us to try something new (ie, a different time to pray, a different way of praying, a different way of listening) we need to trust that He’s leading us into more, not less. Growth is uncomfortable, but staying stuck is worse.

4. Are we recognizing that God is always moving, even when we feel stalled?

The enemy tries to convince us we’re failing or falling behind, but God often uses quiet seasons to prepare us for the next step. When we remember He’s still working, we can breathe again and stop panicking about the future. We learn to move with Him instead of forcing our own timing.

5. Is a Christian bold enough to follow the Holy Spirit even when it feels unfamiliar?

Courage is not the absence of fear, it’s trusting God enough to take one more obedient step. As we walk together, we discover that obedience sharpens our spiritual hearing more than striving ever will. And the more we follow His lead, the more clearly we begin to recognize His voice.

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