022 God Speaks: Hinderences to Hearing God part 9

Fear: A Major Hindrance to Hearing God’s Voice

One of the most subtle yet powerful hindrances to hearing God is fear. Fear clouds our ability to hear clearly because it distorts our perspective, causing us to anticipate the worst rather than trust in the hope God offers.

Faith and fear both deal with our expectations of the future, but they approach it in opposite ways. Faith expects the good that God promises, while fear fixates on the possibility of harm or disappointment. When we operate out of fear, we can easily miss or even reject the life-giving words God is speaking to us.

Faith vs. Fear

The Bible shows us that God speaks in alignment with faith. He speaks life, hope, and promise into our situations. Even when His words include warnings or correction, they are ultimately meant to bring redemption and restoration.

Fear, on the other hand, keeps us focused on the negatives—on what’s wrong, what could go wrong, or why things won’t work out. Fear can block our ability to believe in the future that God is speaking over us. It can even lead us to reject the hope and truth of Scripture because we’ve chosen hopelessness over faith.

In many cases, we miss God’s voice not because He’s silent, but because our fear drowns Him out.

When Fear Blocks God’s Voice

Imagine a situation where God speaks life into a challenging circumstance. Perhaps He’s reminding you of His promises, reassuring you of His love, or calling you to take a step of faith. If fear has taken root in your heart, you may find yourself saying:

• “That’s not possible.”
• “I don’t want to get my hopes up.”
• “It’s too risky.”

When we choose fear over faith, we close ourselves off to the transformative power of God’s words. Fear keeps us tethered to our circumstances, focusing on the chaos around us rather than the voice of the One who calms the storm.

The Danger of Hopelessness

Hopelessness is one of fear’s most damaging effects. It convinces us that nothing good can come from our situation, which makes it nearly impossible to receive God’s promises. Hopelessness says:

• “Why bother believing? Nothing ever changes.”
• “God might speak to others, but He doesn’t care about my situation.”
• “It’s safer not to hope than to be disappointed.”

But God is a God of hope. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” When we reject hope, we reject one of the very things God wants to give us.

Overcoming Fear and Choosing Faith

If fear has been hindering your ability to hear God, there is hope. Here are some practical steps to break free from fear and tune into God’s voice:

Recognize Fear’s Voice
Pay attention to the thoughts and emotions that dominate your heart. Are they rooted in fear or faith?

Meditate on God’s Promises
Spend time in Scripture, focusing on passages that affirm God’s faithfulness and love. Verses like Jeremiah 29:11 and Psalm 46:10 remind us of His sovereignty and goodness.

Pray for Deliverance from Fear
Ask God to root out fear and hopelessness from your heart. Confess your fears to Him and invite His peace to fill those spaces.

Choose to Believe God’s Word
Even if it feels hard, make a conscious choice to believe what God says about your future. Faith is a decision, not just a feeling.

Surround Yourself with Faith Builders
Spend time with people who will encourage you to trust God. Their testimonies can strengthen your faith and help you see God’s hand at work.

A Prayer for Freedom from Fear

Lord, we come to You with hearts that sometimes feel overwhelmed by fear. Help us to recognize when fear is hindering our ability to hear Your voice. Root out hopelessness and replace it with faith. Teach us to trust in Your promises and to expect good things from You, even when our circumstances feel overwhelming. When You speak life, hope, and truth over us, give us the courage to receive it fully. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Closing Thought

Fear is a powerful force, but it doesn’t have to define your relationship with God. When we choose faith over fear, we open ourselves to hearing His voice more clearly and experiencing His peace more deeply.

God is always speaking life and hope over His children. The question is: Are you ready to tune in, silence fear, and believe what He says? Let go of fear, embrace faith, and trust the One who holds your future in His hands.