What If God Says Something I Don’t Want to Hear?
It’s a question that can quietly haunt even the most devoted follower of Jesus. We long to hear God’s voice—until the moment we worry it might disrupt our carefully laid plans.
I once spoke with a young woman who summed it up perfectly:
“I’m too scared to listen to the Holy Spirit. What if God says something I don’t like?”
I’ve been there. I remember the same fear when I first started my God conversations journey. What if He asked me to move somewhere I didn’t want to live? Or marry someone I didn’t like? What if God’s will didn’t match my desires?
Fear Fades When We Remember Who God Is
Our fear begins to fade when we remember God’s character. Take Adam’s story for example. Adam was leading a Bible study for people struggling with addiction and crime. One evening, he gave them a simple assignment:
“Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you this week. Then come back and tell us what God said.”
The next week, the group returned with their stories. One couple in particular was beaming. They had each prayed separately—and incredibly, God had spoken the same thing to both of them.
Adam’s mind raced with possibilities. Surely God had said:
“Get free from drugs. Care for your children. Stop your criminal behaviour.”
Instead, the couple smiled and said:
“God told us to register our car!”
At first, Adam was shocked. That was it? But a week later, the couple returned, joyful and victorious:
“We registered our car! What’s next?”
God Meets Us Where We Are
This moment captures something essential about God’s voice. He doesn’t drop a mountain of demands on our shoulders. Like a loving Father, He meets us where we are, inviting us forward one step at a time.
Every word He speaks is tailored to our journey. Each instruction builds trust. Every step leads to healing, wholeness, and life.
Jesus put it simply:
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?” (Matthew 7:9-10)
God isn’t looking to trap or punish us. He guides gently, like the Good Shepherd He is.
Words That Bring Life
Fear creeps in when we forget God’s character. His words are always good. Always loving. Always for us. As Jesus said:
“The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life” (John 6:63b).
God’s words aren’t burdens to bear—they’re nourishment to feed our souls.
Yes, the Spirit may speak something unexpected. It may even challenge us. But it will never be unloving. God’s voice always brings life. God’s voice always leads us home.