If you're trying to follow God, it's always a good thing to know how God communicates with you. He usually doesn't call you up on the phone or send you an e-mail. God's often a little more subtle than that. Thankfully, Christians can rely on this promise from the Bible: "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track" (Proverbs 3:5-6, The Message).

When Christians say that God "told" them something, it usually doesn't mean they heard an audible voice. Instead, they mean that they "heard" God "speaking" to their innermost being -- impressing them about something. He does this through His Holy Spirit who dwells within the heart of every true believer. The Holy Spirit is our Guide and our Teacher, directing us to do what God wants us to do.

Jesus said the Holy Spirit "will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13, NIV). We can have confidence that, as we look to Christ with every decision, His Spirit will give us the wisdom and direction that we need.

The Bible, God's love letter to us, is probably the biggest way that God "speaks" to us. For example, you might read a verse in the Bible that seems like it was written just for you and your particular situation that day. Or, the pastor's message from the Bible may suddenly grip you in an indescribable way.

But the Holy Spirit will "speak" to you at other times and in other situations as well. He will let you know when you have done something wrong, or bring to mind someone to pray for, or give you peace (or lack of peace) about a certain decision. This is usually called your conscience. When you pray, ask God to give you a sensitivity to His Holy Spirit, so that you will be alert to the many ways that He "speaks" to you throughout each day.

George Mueller had a pretty good plan for figuring out God's will. He lived in the latter half of the 1800s and cared for thousands of orphans in England. His words can give us some good direction for figuring out God's will:

1. "I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter." This means to drop your own desires and selfish pride -- choose to accept whatever it is that God might have planned for you.

2. "Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If I do so, I make myself liable to great delusions." Be careful that you're not just following your emotions. That's the essence of what Mueller is saying. Your feelings can change like the wind, so don't put your faith in them.

3. "I seek the will of the Spirit through, or in connection with, the Word of God." The Bible is always available to you. Keep reading and look for the Holy Spirit's leading.

4. "Next, I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God's connection with His Word and Spirit." Our life circumstances are all in the hand of God. Take a look around -- how has He led you to where you are?

5. "I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright." Here Mueller is simply asking God what to do. Thankfully we can be up front and direct with God -- He loves us unconditionally and knows our deepest needs.

6. "Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge." Finally, through each of the above steps you should have a good idea of what to do. This whole process will calm you and bring you to a place closer to God, and better able to understand what He has to say to you.

It might also be helpful to learn a little more about the whole concept of hearing God's voice. We suggest reading books such as "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby, or, for a different perspective, "Decision Making and the Will of God" by Garry Friesen.