Waiting for God to Speak

“Dan! I’m feeling like I’m in a dead-end situation, but I’m not going to move until God tells me to do so!”

I received this note recently from a reader – and it represents thousands of similar notes I’ve received over the years.

“Dan, I’m miserable, frustrated, anxious, sick, exhausted, bored, nervous, worried, concerned, restless, fearful, frightened, apprehensive, troubled, upset, angry, exasperated, incensed, infuriated, discouraged, aggravated, maddened, offended, disappointed, distressed, anguished, tormented, suffering, afflicted, suffering, persecuted” – well, you get the idea.

The challenging thing is to know how God “tells” us to move. My observation is that it’s usually not an audible voice but rather in experiencing frustration, anxiety, physical maladies and lack of peace.

48 Days Coach Joel Boggess recently added:  ”Maybe the burning bush scene that a lot of folks (with the best of intentions) hope to see, happens internally and consumes from within.”  Wow – I think that’s profound.  The burning bush we are hoping to see is actually consuming us from the inside out with our anxiety and anger.

Uncertainty, frustration in or even losing a job or business can often be simply a prod to a higher level of success.  The eagles build a nest using thornbush strands to lock it together.  Then they cover them with leaves and feathers to make it soft and comfortable.  However, when the eaglets are about twelve weeks old, mom and dad eagles begin to remove the protection from the thorns.  Pretty soon the little eaglets are up on the edge of the nest to avoid the pain and discomfort.  Then mom and dad eagle fly by with tasty morsels of food just out of reach.  Soon the little eaglet makes a big leap to get away from the pain and the hunger, and you know what happens – rather than the anticipated crashing on the rocks below, he learns he can fly.  I truly believe that oftentimes God allows circumstances in our lives, not to leave us in pain or hungry, but to lead us to higher levels of success that we would not otherwise explore.

If we don’t respond to the discomfort, how do we really expect God to move us?  Do you wait until you’re fired and then assume God did that?  Do you wait until you have ulcers?  Or until you are so frustrated that you lash out at someone in anger?

Recognize that a “dead-end situation” may itself be God’s way of trying to get you to move.  Don’t expect Him to come down here, grab you by the collar and jerk you out of there.  You’ve got to move yourself.

See this time in your life as one of those times – the beginning of a new season in your life.  And see this opportune time and the desire to find the work that God has for you to do as some of those thorns that are causing you to look for some new alternatives.

This article appeared originally on 48days.com. Used with permission.

Dan Miller, President of 48 Days LLC, specializes in creative thinking for increased personal and business success. He believes that meaningful work blends our natural skills and abilities, our unique personality traits and our dreams and passions. Dan is active in helping individuals redirect careers, evaluate new income sources, and achieve balanced living. He believes that a clear sense of direction can help us become all that God designed us to be.

Dan is the author of the widely acclaimed 48 Days to The Work You Love and No More Mondays. He writes regularly for many popular magazines and web portals, including CBN.com, Crosswalk.com, In Touch, AARP and Success magazines and the Zig Ziglar newsletter. He has been a guest on CBS’ ‘The Early Show,’ MSNBC’s ‘Hardball with Chris Mathews,’ 700 Club’s Living the Life and Fox Business News with Dave Ramsey Show, to hit some highlights. He hosts a weekly podcast that is consistently ranked #1 under Careers on iTunes. Dan is also a frequent speaker and guest on popular radio programs like Moody Broadcasting, Crown Financial, Janet Parshall’s America, American Family Radio, and Prime Time Chicago.

Committed to personal priorities, Dan and wife Joanne have been happily married for over 42 years. They have three grown children, all entrepreneurs, and they enjoy spending time with their eleven grandchildren. Visit his website at www.48days.com/wisdommeetspassion. 

Publication date: November 8, 2012