“I will be still and know you are God.”
This is a phrase from the Bible, specifically from Psalm 46:10. The verse reads: "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
It is a statement of trust and faith in God and recognition that God is sovereign and in control of all things.
I grew up and have lived to hear many a person (some not even Christian or believers say this out loud). I used to think it meant only to fear God and also let God take control. But as I grow older, I now see it as a message to know my soul and quieten my thoughts to hear God's voice. It is the voice of the spirit.
Truly listening in from the voice within
It took me a long while to connect with who I genuinely am from within. I have wasted time in my life listening to other people's opinions on what is against my best judgement. In most cases their opinions were harsh towards me and I listened to that. Knowing my spirit's voice truly a life changer and continues to be the greatest exploration.
For me, it was the voice that gently said "No" when I was faced with peer pressure. The one that whispered "you can do this" when all the self doubt started kicking in and "don't respond now" when I felt cornered with anger. I did not always listen because my mind was always fidgeting.
Your spirit's voice speaks less because you never allow it to. You constantly drown it with noise of mindless chatter with your other voices and external influences that feed your ego. The other voices tend to be reactionary to things, real or imagined. They lead you into situations where looking back, you marvel at how you still walk the earth. Those voices are never right, and you are fortunate to be here reading this today.
Have you taken enough time to wonder why?
It could be underlying trauma, fear of the unknown or even fear of your own success. Whatever it is, you always think there will be a time when you can catch up with the right voice and do the right thing at the right time. In addition, there is a misconception that it should all be done in stages.
When I was younger, I was told to study first and then wait till I got a job before I could completely live. Even then, I got the impression that life would be curtailed by adult responsibility: all one had to do was to live enough to survive the rat race and then wait to eventually die. (Oh yes, I was that kind of child!). A full life was in the stages set for the rat race, anything else was nonconformity – but my inner voice said there could and there was more. I chose the ego-feeding voices for the longest part because I wanted to belong.
Lifetimes have existed, but life never is fully lived. For most of us, the day we realize we are no longer children is the day life ends, and our spirit voice quietens for the rest of the world to take over. Only the lucky few keep the voice talking and successfully navigate life. The rest of us must find the path back to the inner love we once felt when the voice spoke.
In the beginning, during quiet meditation, I would hear the spirit voice speak and even get a glimpse of what my life could be like. But only for a brief moment. My many voiced ego and emotions flood in and dismiss the visions as nothing but daydreams.
After years of seeing myself on numerous occasions discussing this with many people, I now write this article. It has taken a long to get here, but I now feel like I have lived long, and my soul and spirit have finally connected. I wanted to share what I know with you.
It is time to listen more to your inner voice. Let your soul disconnect to the sugared needs of an emotional and dependent world full of ego validations. Allow your spirit voice to lead you to your greatness. Do not waste your opportunities to create your dreams into many realities. You have lived long now. The time has come for you to regain your happiness and unchain yourself.
Yes, it will take much discipline and exercise to begin living your most authentic self. It is uneasy at first. But you have to start calling on that voice now, and with more frequency, it will not feel like a wasted effort. Here are some of the best ways to start recognizing your spirit and start listening in:
- Allow yourself to be happy, even when you are alone – Especially when you are alone. It is the best time to meditate, pray and introspect. Identify and get to know your emotions and patterns that influence you. Critique them and nurture them. Your inner voice constantly wants to build up your confidence, replenish your mind and fill your heart with love – only if you let it and take the time to listen to it.
- Seek support from people who champion your positive growth. This relates to the first point. Not all friends or family want to see you grow and become more. Once you filter the true champions of your life, reach out to them for support and guidance. It is helpful to talk through the situation with someone you trust.
- Seek therapy if you can or find someone who helps you resolve any underlying traumas and limiting beliefs you carry.
- Listen to your gut feeling - always. Trust your intuition and don’t follow the crowds thinking. You are unique for a reason.
You and and your spirit have been together since before time. You have have lived this life through so much. It is that intuition. It is the true gut feel. It is the safe space you long for. It is time to reconnect.
Remember, be still in times of overwhelming feelings and thoughts. Pause and allow the voice of your spirit to guide you.