14 Sep 14 Ways to Hear God’s Voice in Business

God’s Voice in Business

God’s voice in business is a crucial component of work for the Christian business owner. Discerning God’s voice in business amongst the laundry list of to-dos, decision making, team member challenges, customer relations, while trying to balance work & family life can not only be challenging but also a vital necessity.  There is a temptation that exists especially for business owners to think that we are in control and run along with the illusion of autonomy.  When really the key and foundational principle of working with God is obedience and sensitivity to His voice which provides clarity and direction amongst a sea of possible paths and decisions.

The Bible teaches us about the Lord’s direction in Psalm 37:23-24 AMP:

The steps of a good and righteous man are directed and established by the Lord, And He delights in his way and blesses his path. When he falls, he will not be hurled down, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand and sustains him.

The Lord’s desire is not to control us or restrict freedoms. He desires to guide and direct our decisions to the best possible outcomes.  However, this doesn’t mean that your life will be absent from failure and set back. Verse 24 specifically says, “when he falls…the Lord is the One who holds his hand and sustains him.”

There is value in experiencing some failures, challenges, and setbacks in your business but too often we look at these as frustrations instead of opportunities to trust and deepen dependence on God. I’ve found it difficult to train myself to think that way when money, jobs, and bills are in the mix which is exactly why hearing the holy spirit in business is not a luxury but a necessity for the christ centered business owner.

We want to help you hear God’s voice in your business more than you ever have before.  Check out this short video entitled 14 Ways to Hear God in Business.  This video is a snippet from our training course Glorify God in Business Workshop.

14 Ways to Hear God’s Voice in Business

God can obviously speak to you in differently than these 12 ways to hear God’s voice in business. We want to know about it! Feel free to share another way you have heard God’s voice. How are you experiencing God in business? Please leave a comment at the bottom of this blog post.

One of the most powerful ways to recognize God’s voice is first be aware of scripture and His character.  This shortcut to doing this is reading the Bible so you can learn principles, God’s character, and know scripture that corresponds with decisions you have to make.

Jesus told the disciples that the Holy Spirit would continue to teach them and help them. The same is true for Christian business owners today.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

When reading the Bible, those scriptures effect you and the Holy Spirit often uses what you read to speak to you or in other words, “bring to your remembrance all that he has said to you.” Let’s dive into the 12 ways to hear God in business.

14 Ways to Hear God’s Voice in Business

These ways may not produce and audible voice you hear with your ears but they will help you communicate with God.  Often times we have a knowing, a feeling, a sense that God may be speaking to us.  I’ve personally never heard God’s voice in business audibly that I’m aware of. Knowing His voice is often an impression on the inside of you. Keep that in mind as you go through this list and practice some of these.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” -John 10:27

1. The Bible – Reading the Bible is one of the best ways to know and understand God.  This is the most obvious option here and what list would be complete without having the Bible on it. “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” – Romans 10:17
2. Be Still (Extremely Vital) – When we are still and intentional to try and hear God this is when we become sensitive to hear him.  There are less things competing for time and space in your mind.  For me this is often a time accompanied with prayer and usually where God reorients me and my thoughts about my circumstances. The Bible shares with us to, be still. “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:10 NIV
3. Silence & Solitude – It is interesting how refreshing a time of solitude and silence can be.  Sometimes we have days where we are rarely by ourselves, either we are surrounded by people or the constant buzz of technology. Think of this time as “quiet time” or plan out a daily break by setting a timer on your phone. 
4. Retreats – Retreat is similar to silence and solitude but just think of this as an extended period to experience refreshment and renewal by a very intentional time with God. Even Jesus himself was “led by the Spirit into the wilderness (Mathew 4:1), “went out to a desolate place” (Mark 1:35; Luke 4:42), and “went up on the mountain by himself to pray . . . alone” (Mathew 14:23).  http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/take-a-break-from-the-chaos
5. Nature – I believe David summarized this one best in Psalms. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.” – Psalm 19:1-4 NIV  Being out in nature or taking the time to appreciate it can often shift your attitudes. For me I have found that being in nature helps me take on a different perspective on things and often helps me feel aligned with God’s perspective and character.
6. Praise & Worship – For me praise and worship helps me feel connected to God. In a busy day I find it not only refreshing but something I can do in the mornings, at the gym, while showering, in the car, and even on the way home.  Lyrics are often reflections of God’s character and scriptures in song. A lot of people express that the sense God’s presence in times of worship.
7. Selfless Serving – Serving is not just for pastors, priests, clergy, and ministry workers. God set good works for us to do, especially as business owners. That may be serving in your community, place of business, church, or in your family.  This is often where we can take action and respond to God. Serving with God in your place of business is something you can hear God’s voice in. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Mathew 25:40
8. Surrendering –  Surrender seems to be one of the most difficult things.  This is often because think that if they surrender they can’t have money or live a prosperous life.  This thinking is faulty because one of the reason’s Christ came is that we may have life, and life more abundantly. “Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him.” Psalm 37:7 GWT. Pastor Rick Warren has an excellent take on what it means to surrender and how your communicating with God.  He says surrendering your life means:
   • “Following God’s lead without knowing where he’s sending you; Waiting for God’s timing without knowing when it will come;
   • Expecting a miracle without knowing how God will provide;
   • Trusting God’s purpose without understanding the circumstances.
   • When you surrender to God you rely on Him to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation.
   • You let go and let God work. There is no longer a desire to always be in charge. Instead of trying harder, you trust more.”
9. Journaling – Journaling is a very practical way to express what is going on in our hearts and minds. For my wife, God often speaks to her as she journals and finds answers.  Its a great idea to accompany journaling with prayer.
10. Prayer – I think the key to hearing God through prayer is accompanying this with being still. Many people talk to God but don’t take the time to slow down and listen. The truth is that communication and relationship with God is a two-way street. I’m not going to give you a special way to pray here because we believe prayer is simply talking to God. You are able to talk to God the same way you speak to anyone else. “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” – Jeremiah 33:3
11. Fasting – Fasting produces wisdom, guidance, and spiritual intimacy with God. You can fast from meals, social media, television, and other things. You’ll want to accompany this one withprayer, scripture reading, and possibly journalling. If you are looking for clarity on a decision you have to make, this is ag great option. I’ve found surrendering the comfort of things and exchanging them for time in God’s word and prayer fuels me. Jesus practiced fasting himself and even said in Mathew 4:4 – “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
12. Words of Knowledge – These when you just know something to be true deep inside of you. You have a conviction and it is almost like you can’t explain it. You know the truth about what you need to do/say, how a circumstance will work out, or even you know something about someone else that you need to minister to. This is what I call a super Holy Spirit move
13. Your Circumstances – Events in your life keep leading you to the same conclusion or decision you have to make. It is almost a surprising feeling that it keeps coming up so often. People, things you see, read, and combinations of the things listed above are all working together to communicate a common message to you. When this happens I really feel like God is pursing me and trying to speak to me and get my attention.  It is one of the greatest ways I know He loves me and that I know I need to listen to His voice in these moments.
14. Other People – Often times God uses other people to expound or confirm something I already thought God was saying to me. Find coaches, mentors, and people that follow God to speak into your life.  

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. - Proverbs 15:22 NIV

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Remember if you want to hear God’s voice more in your life and business be willing to spend time with Him and in His Word.  Today’s post was inspired from one section of our training course for business professionals and entrepreneurs, the Glorify God in Business Workshop. The workshop helps you integrate your faith in your work.

What fills you?

God can obviously speak to you outside of these 14 ways and we want to know about it! So please feel free to share another way you have heard God’s voice.  How are you experiencing God in business? Please leave a comment at the bottom of this blog post.

Rev. Ron Gelok III