Since every human being was created to be unique, we must acknowledge that each person is shaped by their own cultural, linguistic, and traditional background. These factors influence their beliefs, values, and opinions, making each one of us unique and individual. Additionally, our personal experiences and the way we communicate further distinguish us from one another. It’s important to recognize and appreciate these differences, as they enrich our society and help us to understand and respect one another. But because of our differences, we do communicate and interpret information differently.
To better grasp this topic, let’s start by exploring what communication really means.
Communication is the process of exchanging ideas and thoughts between two or more individuals using verbal or nonverbal methods. It can be accomplished through various means, such as writing, speaking, gestures, symbols, and visual communication. Effective communication always conveys a message that is easy for the receiver to understand.
Today, people communicate in remarkable ways through technology. It is easy to call, text, or talk via TV, radio, or movies or use visual communication such as billboards, flyers, newspapers, books, images, or other media outlets. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the constant influx of information we receive. Each individual has a unique interpretation of messages that is influenced by their prior experience, knowledge, and values. God communicates with us in a unique way that is different from how we communicate with each other.
It’s important to remember that God created you and knows you intimately. He loves you deeply and understands your thoughts and feelings because He made you unique. In fact, only God knows how to communicate with you in a way that resonates with you. Your task is to learn how to listen for His voice and discern His message.
It can be difficult to hear and understand when God speaks amidst the overwhelming amount of information and messages. But God is aware of the world today and the mass amount of communication happening. Despite the noise of communication around us, God knows how to deliver important messages that we can understand.
In Doctrine and Covenants 1:24, “Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding.”
God’s infinite wisdom transcends mortal comprehension, yet He humbly adjusts His communication to meet us at our level of understanding. Personal revelation occurs when God speaks to us individually through the Holy Ghost, providing comfort and guidance. To truly hear Him speak, we must be open to hearing Him. Prayer is the gift we can use to speak to Him directly. But we must be open to hearing Him answer. One of the ways we can hear Him speak to us is a still, small voice we hear inside our mind. God will always uplift, so if the feeling you have from the voice brings peace and clarity, it is from God.
When I was a little girl, I loved Barbie dolls. One day, I lost one of my Barbie shoes. I looked on the floor, under the dresser, in the closet, under my bed, and everywhere else I could think of. I was getting upset and went to my dad and told him I couldn’t find it. He wisely asked me, “Did you pray about it?” I replied, “No. Heavenly Father doesn’t answer that kind of prayer.” My father told me God loved me so much that if it mattered to me, it mattered to Him. Then told me to go back to my room and pray. I did. I returned and said, “I prayed, but nothing happened.” He smiled and said, “How do you know if he answered you if you didn’t wait for the answer? Go back and pray again, but this time, after you are finished, stay still and quiet and wait until you get the answer.” I took his advice, and while I was silently listening, I heard a voice say to me, “Look under the bed.” I thought to myself, I already did. But I heard the voice say it again, so I looked under the bed, and that Barbie shoe was the first thing I saw.
This lesson taught me God does know and love us intimately. He does speak to us, but it’s easy to be so busy or distracted that we don’t always hear Him. Not all answers come as quickly or in the same way. Sometimes, God speaks to us through others. People sometimes experience dreams or visions. Sometimes, He speaks to us with big life events, but more often, God speaks to us through a still, small voice or quiet feelings like warmth, peace, or joy. The key to understanding when he speaks to us is becoming humble enough to listen and accept the answer or direction, even if it’s not what you wanted or expected.
Melanie DuBose 