Ryan Wilhite

“Hearing God's Voice”

How do you hear God’s voice and know what direction He is wanting to go? This is a question that many people ask and I’ve wrestled with over the years. God speaks to us all in different ways. Sometimes hearing God’s voice means saying no to what makes sense and yes to what only He can see.

John 10:27 says “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Once you begin that relationship with Him, He will grow your faith and relationship until He calls you home. Sanctification is a never ending process. 

I’ve never heard His audible voice, but the more time I’ve spent with Him over the years the more clearly I can hear Him. This doesn’t mean there aren’t hard times or chapters of silence. His timing is always perfect and often times we don’t get the answers or guidance we want to hear. Even though those times are difficult, He uses them to give us patience and to fully trust in Him. He wants us to live by faith and not sight. 

God asks us to trust Him, even when we don’t understand the plan. As we stay close and listen, He promises to guide our steps, even in ways we can’t yet see. Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

I’ve learned that it’s more about surrender than trying harder. We have to give up that control daily and let the Holy Spirit guide our thoughts, words and actions. Know how much He loves you and His plans are always the best. He can work through anyone to further His kingdom and save a life. It’s important to spend time with God every day and being still in order to hear Him more clearly. 

This fast paced busy world is full of distractions. Ask Him for discernment too, because the enemy is always on the prowl. If you’re following His will, there will be resistance and the enemy will use whatever He can to knock you down. Maybe it’s through your own thoughts or those closest to you saying you’re crazy for the decisions you make. I’ve received a lot of negativity over the years since taking that leap of faith to start a farm operation.

I look back to 2021. I was farming full time with about four hundred acres. God had grown the operation pretty rapidly since eight acres a few years before. People said it would be impossible to rent or buy ground with no experience and a dark past. It’s hard to do no matter how long you’ve been farming. I’d felt strongly that God had told me to take that leap of faith and trust Him. It definitely didn’t make sense at the time as a part time or even full time job is needed to make a farm work, especially starting with nothing a few years before.

He didn’t tell me to start an operation for the money or success though. He said He would use the platform to spread the gospel and help others. It was nothing I would be doing. He would be working through it and guiding me along the way. 

He’s always reminded me to let Him lead the way and not get distracted. I would have never dreamed my life would turn out like this and I’m so thankful for His love, guidance and grace. I don’t deserve anything, but He is a very loving Father. God had kept me in the positives every year even though it seemed impossible getting started. That winter I had an opportunity to become a seed dealer.  They came to me and I felt God had opened that door to be able to have some more income outside of the farm. I’d be able to help farmers and it’s something I’m very passionate about.

I knew it was still important to go to God first before I make a quick decision. They had came to me with a lot of encouragement and there was many positives with this opportunity. I still had to be still and not make the decision on my own. After many prayers and quiet time with God, He made it clear that I was to turn down the offer and keep focusing on Him and the operation. It was definitely a tough one because the extra money may have made my farming situation more comfortable. Even after the decision I had a lot of doubt if I’d heard Him correctly. People thought I needed extra income to keep the farm going. This happens often and we usually won’t understand in the moment. 

Just like when God told Noah to build the ark. It’s important to listen to God and not the negativity of others. He told me to focus on Him, let Him lead the way and He would take care of the finances. He’s done just that over the years. He continued to grow the operation and platform for His glory.

There’s been many hard times and the money has been extremely tight or not there at all. But His plans have always been greater than my own. Looking back, if I would have taken control and became a seed dealer. I would have became too busy for what God had in store. 

Three years ago He opened the door to start sharing daily messages and testimony of what He’s done and currently doing in my life. He’s used that to help my mental health and connected me with so many amazing people.

This past year He wanted me to focus even more on Him, my family, friends/ fellowship and ministry. I love working hard and staying extremely busy for the wrong reasons, so He is still refining me to have balance. Last season God told me to step away from the farm. We live three hours south of there and I’m only back for planting and harvest. This made no sense at the time, but looking back He knew what He was doing.

I spend most days on the phone through out the day with friends and farmers. Talking about life and our struggles. He’s opened every single one of those doors and I’ve never had to force them open. If I would have done what made sense or what I wanted to do. I’d still be staying busy on the farm, running a seed dealership and had no time for my family or others.  Even though there’s no extra income with that, He’s always provided in one way or another. He has given me a heart for God and people, the money or success will never be my focus. That will never change.

It’s still very important to let God lead the way and not just follow someone else’s footsteps. What works for me, may not work for someone else if God has different plans. No matter how great the opportunity may seem, go to God first, be patient and let Him help you make your decisions. Just because you’re listening to Him, doesn’t mean life will always go smoothly. Even if I’m not farming someday, God has a plan and can always work through us. He works all things out for the good and His glory. 

You may not see it in the moment, but there is a greater purpose and reason behind every detail. It’s not our job to understand the why’s, put it in His hands and trust Him. God has a plan and purpose for your life, quit trying to do everything on your own. Ask God to help you hear His voice more clearly and spend time being still and with Him. Surrender daily and let the Holy Spirit guide every little decision, no matter how big or small it may seem. His love, plans and timing are always perfect!