Hey there friends and welcome back to the Joy at Home Podcast. We have been having some really good and interesting conversation all around the topic of having hard conversations. At some point in life, we’re going to have hard conversations, whether it’s with our spouse, our kids, maybe even our own parents.
Today, we’re going to be talking about having a hard conversation with God which is such an important topic. And to discuss this with me today is Jen Weaver.
Jen is a Bible Teacher, author, and host of “Good God Talks”, a podcast helping you connect with God through uncommon conversations in everyday moments. She’s passionate about empowering believers to engage in every aspect of life WITH God. Her first book “A Wife’s Secret to Happiness” equips and encourages wives with practical ways to approach your marriage in partnership with God and as an expression of your faith. Her latest book “A Beckoning to Wonder” is a poetry collection, helping every reader rest in God’s goodness as you re-energize your connection and experience the life-changing ease of wonder. Married to her best friend Jared, she’s a happy boy mom of two growing sons and is most likely to be found with her hair full of dry shampoo and a coffee mug in hand, which means we are basically soul sisters, no doubt.
Let me tell you, when I found out about her podcast and how deeply she cares about this particular topic, I just knew she’d be the perfect guest for our show. As daughters of the King of Kings, talking to God is something we’re supposed to do, something we’re privileged to do. But, goodness, sometimes it’s just tough, you know?
Experiencing Hard Conversations with God
So let’s start by diving right into one of Jen’s hardest conversations with God. She shares that it
happened after they faced the heartbreak of losing a baby due to fertility struggles. In the midst of her grief, instead of turning directly to God, she found herself scrolling through Pinterest for quotes about babies and loss, trying to find comfort elsewhere. But eventually, she realized she needed to have that tough conversation with God, asking Him the hard questions, even if she didn’t have all the answers.
Jen also shares about another conversation where she just straight-up asked Him what the hardest conversation they ever had was. And you know what He said? He said it’s those times when she’s not really open to hearing Him out. One time that came to mind was when she was feeling pretty ticked off at her husband. She wasn’t interested in hearing what God had to say about the situation; she just wanted to stew in her own feelings. But God gently nudged her, waiting for her to be ready to listen. It was a reminder that tough talks with God aren’t just about tough times; they’re also when we’re not open to hearing His truths, preferring to stick to our own way of thinking.
You see, Jen didn’t grow up with a strong sense of connection to God. In her early years of faith, it was more about following religious rituals and trying to earn God’s approval. She was striving for love and acceptance in heaven, but there wasn’t much of a personal relationship there. Then, something changed. She realized she could actually have a real, honest relationship with God. That was a game-changer.
How God Communicates with Us and How to Hear His Voice
Part of Jen’s journey involved unlearning some old habits. She used to think she had to have it all together before talking to God, cleaning up her thoughts and emotions. But she learned that’s not the case. You don’t have to hide your true feelings from God. Whether you’re angry, sad, confused, or anything else, you can bring it all to Him, just as you are. He can handle it. He already knows what’s going on inside your head, and He’s the one who can bring healing and understanding. So, no need to pretend. Bring your messiness to Him, and then ask for His guidance on what to do next.
So, where do we even begin? How do we approach the Lord and start those tough conversations with Him?
Well, a good starting point is simply acknowledging that you want to hear from God. Even if you’re struggling with that idea, or it feels like a roadblock, you can turn to the Bible. Ask God to show you how He communicates with His people. The Bible is full of examples of God speaking to individuals in various ways. So, it’s about saying, “Okay, God, I want to hear You speak to me.”
Once you’ve taken that step, you can start practicing recognizing His voice and learning how to respond to Him. It’s not just about hearing Him; it’s about engaging in a dialogue with Him. Think about it like having a conversation with a friend. If you pour your heart out to them and they just stare blankly and walk away, it’s not much of a conversation, is it? In a real relationship, there’s back and forth, give and take.
How to Respond and Recognize God’s Voice
So, how do we respond to God? Sometimes it means taking action if He’s giving us specific instructions. Other times, it’s simply acknowledging His presence and His beauty in the world around us. It’s about seeing His handiwork in the details of everyday life and being grateful for it.
And here’s the thing: God isn’t confined to certain times or topics of conversation. He wants to talk with us about everything, from the big life decisions to the little moments of joy and wonder. So, don’t limit yourself or put God in a box. Bring all of yourself to Him, and meet Him wherever you are.
So, start practicing. Start listening for His voice and looking for His presence in your life. The more you do it, the more attuned you’ll become to His voice, and the easier it will be to recognize Him speaking to you.
You know, it’s like as parents, we’re always striving to build a meaningful connection with our kids, to have those deep conversations and understand each other better. And it’s the same dynamic with us and God, our Heavenly Father. I completely agree that He speaks to us in countless ways, especially through nature. I mean, there’s something incredibly divine about witnessing the beauty and intricacy of creation that just resonates with the presence of a higher power. It’s like you can’t look at the world around you and not sense the hand of a great Creator at work. There are even bits in Scripture that hint at this idea.
And Jen is spot on about the importance of slowing down and listening for that still, small voice. I remember the first time I felt God nudging me, not in some thunderous proclamation, but in a gentle whisper to my heart. I was rocking our newborn daughter, surrounded by a pile of magazines I felt I needed to catch up on. Then, out of nowhere, this soft voice inside me said, “Hey, Katie, how about catching up on your Bible reading instead? I’ve got something to say to you.” It was a powerful reminder that God speaks to us through Scripture, among other ways.
Navigating Waiting Seasons
But you know, there are those seasons when it feels like we’re stuck in waiting mode. Times when we’re praying and seeking answers, but it’s like God is silent. Waiting is hard. It’s tough to validate that feeling, especially when you’re waiting for the fulfillment of hopes, dreams, and longings.
So what can we do? Just simply be honest about it. Acknowledging the struggle to communicate with God can serve as a starting point for conversation, expressing the desire to stay connected despite the difficulty.
During prolonged seasons of waiting, turn to Scripture. The Bible serves as a reliable guide, ensuring that everything heard from God aligns with His teachings and reflects His character. Seeking out God’s care and understanding through Scripture can provide solace and guidance.
Reflecting on Jen’s personal experiences of waiting, such as during struggles with infertility, she shares the importance of learning to genuinely celebrate with others while awaiting your own blessings.
But you know what? At the end of the day, it’s important to realize that going through a waiting season doesn’t have to follow some strict plan. The key is to lean on God for guidance and help as you try to make sense of and accept the waiting game.
Tips for Better Communication, Connection and Understanding
Communication can be messy but it’s also necessary. Jen shares some practical tipes for getting better at communication.
First, try to get to the root of the problem, not just the surface stuff. Especially in human conversations, like with your spouse or kids, it’s easy to focus on the surface behavior or the immediate circumstances. But often, there’s a deeper issue causing all the friction. So, ask yourself, “What’s really bugging me about this? What’s the core problem here?” Once you figure that out, you can address it more effectively, instead of just spinning your wheels and making things worse.
Another tip is to aim for unity, not conformity. This is especially important in marriage. Jen shares she used to approach conflict resolution wanting her husband to just agree with her, to see things her way. But that’s not real unity; that’s just one person conforming to the other. True unity means finding ways to honor each other’s perspectives and come to agreements where you both feel respected.
And when it comes to tough conversations with God, a big shift for Jen was realizing how close He actually is. She has been exploring this idea in poetry that we’re all part of God’s ongoing story, not just characters in an old book. He’s with us, even in our heartache, especially in our heartache. Recognizing His closeness makes it easier to talk to Him, to realize He’s right there with us in the midst of it all.
In human relationships, it’s easy to notice when someone’s in the room with us because we can see and hear them. But with God, it takes a bit more practice to notice His presence. It’s about slowing down, being intentional, and realizing that He’s right there with us, even in our toughest moments. So, take that time to engage with Him, even in the midst of the messiness of life.
You know, there’s so much depth in what Jen is saying. It all boils down to faith and trust, and immersing yourself in Scripture. God’s presence envelops us, every single moment.
Sometimes, maintaining that faith and trust is challenging, especially when life gets tough and it feels like God is silent. But He’s always there, He sees us, He sees our pain, our tears. And I believe that someday, looking back on our lives, we’ll recognize just how present He was through it all.
I’m thankful to Jen for sharing her heart and wisdom with us today. Be sure to connect with Jen and grab a copy of her new poetry collection!
Connect with Jen!
