Hey Fam,
This week is the first of seven, where we will be taking a look at some of the deepest desires of our hearts. The one we are going to tackle today is the desire to be heard. This one pricks my heart a little because it has been a life-long struggle for me to feel heard.
It’s not that I am a quiet person. If you have ever met me or spent any time with me, then you know it’s quite the opposite. My husband always jokes that I talk to breathe. So the reality is, I make my voice known. But making our voices known is not the same thing as being heard. Instead, it’s our small attempt to getting that need met in the only way we know how.
Maybe this comes easily for you. Maybe you grew up in a family where you were looked in the eyes and someone heard your heart.
But for most of us? That just simply wasn’t the case. It still isn’t. I have a sense that most people are unsure if God even hears them.
Last year, I went through a hard season. We all did. But this was not pandemic-related. Instead, it was a situation where I had no voice. I certainly wanted to speak up, but in this circumstance, there was nothing I could do or say that would have any consequence. Was there injustice? Yes. And I am a justice warrior. Yet this situation did not even allow me to fight. Instead, I had to stay silent.
As I took my feelings of helplessness to the Lord, He interrupted my prayer.
I hear you. I see you. I love you.
I wish I could say I was listening for God’s voice when that happened, but the truth is, I was just complaining. God had to silence me in order to let me know that He heard me.
Did things change immediately? No. But did I? Yes. The emotion around the situation was still there, yet the feeling of helplessness lifted. Instead of despair, I sensed the hope and peace that only comes from the presence of the Father. Almost immediately, the words of the Psalmist came to my mind.
I took my troubles to the Lord;
I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer. Psalm 120:1 TPT
Sometimes, we can feel like no one hears us.
We can’t allow what we feel to replace what we know. And we know that God hears us.
Later that week, friends came to me with a very similar problem. So similar that they said out loud the very thoughts I had in my desperate prayer. As they described how helpless they felt, I shared with them the words that the Lord shared with me.
He hears you. He sees you. He loves you.
Did their situation change? No. But their hearts did.
As believers, we can step into that gap for each other, reminding each other that we serve a God who hears, who sees, who loves. Sometimes, that’s the best way to point someone to Christ.
Love empowers us to fulfill the law of the Anointed One as we carry each other’s troubles. Galatians 6:2 TPT
If we don’t get this need to be heard met, either by someone in our lives or in prayer, we can start to believe some false narratives that the enemy will use to keep us trapped.
- I am not worthy of being heard.
- I am a bother to others.
- My needs are too much.
- I have to lie for anyone to hear me.
- I don’t have any needs.
- My needs don’t matter.
- My voice doesn’t matter.
Friend, I am here to tell you that those are lies straight from the enemy. They are the exact opposite of what God wants for you. He died to make sure this didn’t happen.
You are heard. You are seen. You are loved.
Things to Ponder:
Do you take things to God when you feel “unheard” by the world? If not, why do you think that is?
Things to Pray:
Speak out to the Lord about the things that seem unheard in your life. The truth is, He already knows them. But He wants you to come to Him so that you can know that He hears you, He sees you, and He loves you.
Praying for you friend,
Rach
Conversation Starters:
When have you truly felt heard? Who made you feel that way?
What do you think happens when you ignore your need to be heard?
Do you take things to God when you feel “unheard” by the world? If not, why do you think that is?
Everyone needs someone to “hear their heart.” Name one person that you will do that for this week.