Imagine being at a restaurant with your friends. The lights are dim, the music is blaring, and you find yourself yelling just to be heard. You lean in and squint your eyes, as if that will help you hear better, while trying to catch their words. A noisy restaurant is a hard place to hear what others are saying.

The same thing happens when we try to listen to God.

Our lives are filled with distractions and noise. We fill silent spaces with scrolling, music in the car, or the TV turned up loud. For many of us, silence feels uncomfortable. Did you know the average person’s attention span is only 8.25 seconds? That’s even shorter than a goldfish’s attention span of 9 seconds!

Constant distractions, especially online, have trained our minds to wander quickly.

The Dilemma: Hearing God’s Voice in Life’s Noise

God wants to connect with us. He wants to speak wisdom, truth, comfort, and care into our lives. He does this through the Bible, in prayer and meditation, and through the Holy Spirit gently nudging our hearts.

Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

God desires a relationship with us, but we must learn to manage the distractions in our lives so we can hear his voice clearly and grow spiritually.

So, how can we become better listeners when we struggle to focus? Let’s explore 3 simple steps to get started.

Step 1: Manage Distractions

Imagine standing on the beach as waves crash and the ocean roars. It would be nearly impossible to hear someone whispering. In the same way, we need to quiet the noise in our lives to hear God’s voice.

Start by intentionally removing distractions. Turn off the TV, set your phone aside, and find a quiet place where you can be alone. This could mean going for a walk, sitting outside, finding a peaceful room, or waking up a little earlier before the rest of the house stirs.

Be creative and courageous as you discover a quiet place that works for you!

Step 2: Breathe + Focus

Even in a quiet space, our minds can feel like a freeway during rush hour—full of noisy, racing thoughts. To calm your mind and focus, take a few slow, deep breaths. Breathe in and out, nice and slow.

As you breathe, ask God to speak to your heart. These simple breaths can create space in your mind and heart to hear from him.

Step 3: Start with 3 Minutes

When starting a new exercise or sport, we don’t jump into the routine of a professional. We start small. Think about a 7-minute workout app—it’s short, doable, and designed for consistency. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s forming a habit.

The same principle applies to listening to God. Start small—just 3 minutes a day. The key is consistency. Pick a time that works for you: after your morning coffee, before bed, after breakfast, or first thing in the morning before others wake up. Find a time, stick with it, and show up daily.

A Lesson from Samuel

In the Bible, young Samuel hears a voice calling his name as he’s heading to bed. At first, he thinks it’s Eli, but with Eli’s guidance, Samuel learns that it’s God speaking to him.

Samuel responds, “Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9).

Like Samuel, we can learn to recognize God’s voice when we practice listening.

This Week: PRactice Listening to God

This week, set aside 3 minutes each day to practice listening to God. First, find a quiet space. Then, take a few deep breaths and ask God to speak to you.

After the week, reflect on your experience. Write down what happened while you listened to God. Did you feel peace, comfort, or a sense of direction? This is just the beginning of a beautiful habit of listening to his voice.

✏️  AUTHOR CREDITS

This blog was written by the Mission Hills Church Communications Team.