You’re sitting there, staring at a massive life decision, and honestly? You just want a sign. A neon light, a booming voice from the clouds—anything that isn't your own messy thoughts circling like a drain. Most of us have been there. We’ve all seen the people who claim they "heard from the Lord" about everything from a new job to what kind of cereal to buy, and it feels... unreachable. Kinda frustrating, too.
In her book How to Hear from God, Joyce Meyer tackles this head-on. She doesn't treat it like some mystical, elite skill reserved for the super-spiritual. To her, it’s basically just the plumbing of a relationship. If you’re a child of God, you’re supposed to hear Him. It’s your "inheritance." But if it’s so natural, why is it so hard to actually catch the frequency?
The Still, Small Voice and the Noise Problem
Basically, God usually doesn't shout. He whispers. Meyer often references the story of Elijah, who looked for God in the wind, the earthquake, and the fire, only to find Him in a "still, small voice."
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Our lives are loud. They're cluttered. Between the constant ping of notifications and the internal chatter of "What am I going to eat for dinner?" and "Did I offend Sarah?" we drown out the very signal we’re trying to catch. Hearing from God is more about listening than it is about Him speaking. He's already talking. We’re just not tuned in.
She suggests that we need to create "quiet zones" in our lives. Not just physically quiet rooms, but mental stillness. If your mind is a pinball machine, you’re going to miss the subtle "inner witness" that Meyer says is the most common way He communicates. It’s that deep-down knowing—a "peace" or a "check" in your spirit—that doesn't always make logical sense but feels more solid than your own reasoning.
How to Hear from God Joyce Meyer: The Primary Source
You can't skip the manual. Honestly, people try to hear God's voice while their Bible is gathering dust on the nightstand, and Meyer says that’s a recipe for deception.
The Bible is the "written Word," and it’s the ultimate filter. If you think God is telling you to do something that contradicts Scripture—like, say, being rude to a difficult coworker or cheating "just this once"—it’s not God. Period. He will never, ever contradict His own book.
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Meyer emphasizes that the more you read the Word, the more you learn the tone of His voice. It’s like being married for thirty years; you know what your spouse would say without even asking them. When you’re "spiritually literate," you start to recognize His "sound." You become sensitive to His character.
The Umpire of Peace
This is one of her most practical tools: using peace as an "umpire."
"Let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds]." — Colossians 3:15 (AMPC)
Think about a baseball game. The umpire decides if a player is "safe" or "out." Meyer teaches that if you’re moving toward a decision and you lose your peace—if you feel antsy, pressured, or just "icky" about it—that’s an "out." Even if the deal looks perfect on paper. Even if everyone else thinks it's a great idea.
If you don't have peace, don't move. Wait.
Sometimes we try to "reason" our way into peace. We make lists, we analyze, we convince ourselves. But Meyer warns against "leaning on your own understanding." Reasoning is often just the mind trying to bypass the spirit. Real peace is a gift, not a logical conclusion.
Common Hindrances (What’s Blocking the Signal?)
It isn't always about a lack of faith. Sometimes, we’re just getting in our own way. Meyer identifies a few major blockages:
- Unforgiveness: This is a big one. It’s like static on a radio. If you’re harboring bitterness, your spiritual ears get "clogged."
- Busyness: If you only talk to God when you’re in a 911 emergency, you haven't built the "hearing muscles" needed for everyday guidance.
- Preconceived Desires: This is tricky. Sometimes we want something so badly that we "hear" what we want to hear. Meyer suggests being honest with God: "Lord, I really want this, so I need You to be extra clear if it’s not from You."
- Disobedience: Why would God give you step two if you haven't done step one yet? If He told you to apologize to your sister and you haven't, don't expect a revelation about your career path.
The "Step Out and Find Out" Method
One thing that surprises people about Joyce Meyer's teaching is her permission to fail. She’s very open about the fact that she’s made mistakes. She’s thought she heard from God, moved forward, and realized, "Oops, that was just me."
She calls it "stepping out and finding out."
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Sometimes, the only way to know if a door is open is to walk toward it and turn the handle. If it’s locked, it’s locked. God is big enough to stop you if your heart is truly trying to follow Him. You don't have to live in "paralysis by analysis." If you’ve prayed, checked the Word, and you have peace, take a step. If the peace stays, take another.
Hearing from God isn't a one-time event; it’s a lifestyle of trial and error. You get better at it as you go.
Actionable Next Steps
- Audit Your Noise: Identify one 15-minute window today where you can turn off the music, the podcast, and the phone just to be still.
- The "Peace Test": Take the biggest decision on your plate right now. Sit with it for five minutes. Do you feel a "settledness" in your gut, or a "storm"? Follow the peace.
- Check the Filter: Find one Bible verse that relates to your current situation. Does your "leading" align with that verse?
- Clean the Connection: Ask yourself if there is anyone you need to forgive or any known area where you’re currently being disobedient. Handle that first.
God wants to talk to you more than you want to hear Him. It's not about being perfect; it's about being present. Just start by saying, "Lord, I'm listening. Help me recognize Your voice."
And then? Be quiet and wait.