Anger and stress make it difficult for us to hear God’s voice.
But there is another, perhaps even more pernicious, barrier to hearing God’s voice–and that is having unhealthy relationships.
Unhealthy relationships are ones that seem to suck the life out of us.
In fact, Jesus described the features of these kinds of relationships when he talked about “the thief,” Satan, the very one who wants to strip the life out of us, away from us, and lead us into ways of death.
Here’s what Jesus said, both about the Thief and about Himself: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”–John 10:10 (NIV)
Quite the contrast isn’t it?
When you feel like something essential about yourself has been stolen from you; when you feel like something important about who you are has died or been killed; when you feel like the things about you and about which you care most deeply have been destroyed–then you know the thief has been at work.
And the Thief loves to work through unhealthy relationships. In fact, unhealthy relationships are a result of the Thief’s work.
That’s not to say that people are “possessed” by the Devil.
But it is to say that the Devil, Satan, is at work in this world and in our lives causing destruction and stripping us of much of what God has for us.
Just giving credit where credit is due. Just saying.
Unhealthy relationships come in many “sizes” and settings.
There may be a person, of some persons, at work, in the neighborhood, in your church, in your family, or it may be your most “significant other” who is creating an unhealthy relationship.
It might be you.
Or your unhealthy relationship might be the product of an addictive pattern you possess. We can have unhealthy relationships with “things,” you know. The Bible calls such a relationship idolatry. The modern word is “addiction.”
But Scripture says, Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”–1 Cor. 15:33 (NIV)
If something or someone is sucking the life out of you and keeping you off track and away from a wonderful relationship with the One who made you, then you are going to have a difficult time hearing God’s voice.
Why? Because you’re going to be so consumed by the unhealthy relationship that you won’t have any space or time or energy in your life for, well, LIFE.
