I'm listening, but I'm not hearing anything!

I am at a very confusing time in my life! I have doors open to me right now that feel like the only one available. I do not wanna make a mistake cause these choices can get me in a lot of trouble if I choose wrong. I am trying to help me family and make the smartest choices I can, but it is just looking like maybe the path that was opened is not the right one...but I have no clue what to do. I've been praying and can't hear anything!!! When I was about 13 I wanted an experience with God, and I wanted him to talk to me. My big brother suggested I turn out the lights, play some worship songs, and pray and then turn the music off, and just wait...I didn't hear from God until I was 17...I don't have 4 years to wait! I need guidance now and I dunno what to do to reach God! Does anyone have any ideas on how to reach him? cause I've been trying and nothing is working!

If you get an answer, let me know. I was 39 the first time i thought i really heard God direct me in something. And everything has gone the opposite of the answer i was given.
But it's not hard to reach God. Just think and God knows. Unfortunately he doesn't make it so easy for everyone to hear.

How does a person know when God has spoken to them? Is it a tangible voice, or is it something more subtle that you have to be in the correct frame of mind to detect. I'd like to know so I don't inadvertently tell Him to leave me alone, which is my normal response whenever someone tries to bother me and distract my attention.

I think that if you prayerfully ask for His guidance, and for wisdom, you will make good choices....I usually get in trouble when I try to ignore closed doors and missed opportunities. Don't try to bend God's answer to be what YOU think the answer should be. When I have looked back at times in my life when things didn't go the way I thought they should, the way things DID happen was best...100% of the time. God is in control.

Have you considered asking others that you trust for advice, instead of waiting to hear something?

Pray for it and acknowledge Him so God will bless your plans. Check your heart if what you are about to do is pleasing to God. Read God's word, there's a good chance He will reveal His will to you using the Scriptures.

God is not a magic genie that you demand an answer of. Sometimes, part of the process of getting to know God is waiting in the darkness.

However, there is much to be done. You need to seriously and consistently study the whole bible. God has just packed the Bible with directions for how to live.

You need to cultivate a deep and reverent prayer life. Let God get to know you, before you start demanding he answer your questions.

Finally, don't give up. God has spoken to me in the small, still voice quite a few times in this life. But it was never when I asked, and not when I was expecting it. But it was absolutely the right time for me. And when I heard, I acted on that voice, except once, when I really screwed things up. So be sure to obey when that voice finally speaks.

And how will you know that voice?

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10a

When I do not hear a definite direction about two choices that I have in front of me (and both are good ones), I sense in my spirit he is saying to me "It doesn't matter which one you choose - you have been given free will to make choices. Just ask me to reveal what you need to know about each choice, and question what will bring you joy, peace and use the talents and gifts you have." God allows us freedom of choice many times. Sometimes it is scary not to hear a definite word from God, but pray for wisdom and you will be given it.

Then you make your choice on what feels right in your spirit, and know that the Lord is always with you to bless you. You can't lose.

He leads us in peace. If you don't have peace about a situation it's not the right choice. When I couldn't hear God I went to someone with a prophetic gift. If it's about work sometimes the answer is simply from the Bible: do what your hand finds to do.
I remember my kid once complained that God said nothing so I prayed for his ears to open. Lol next day I go to a service. She says to me: May I pray for your ears to open?
Simply believe you are His sheep and His sheep hear His Voice. He also speaks in dreams and He uses preachers and His Word.

BlackBird....GOD is spirit and must be worshipped in that way. You and I are mortals..we are His greatest creation because we were not spoken into existence like the rest of creation. GOD took inert material already existing, stooped down, fashioned, molded, formed and shaped it into His image.....nothing scary or frightening. HE then breathed His very breath into that lump of clay and it became a vibrant, living soul, complete with a spirit, housed in a human body. You are that human body and you simply want to connect to your Creator...the clay pot wanting a touch of the Potter's hand... You are on the right path.
GOD is your heavenly father, and HE does not turn when someone is truly seeking HIM. He reaches us in various ways...His SON JESUS..HIs WORD, the BIBLE, His Holy spirit..or even angels...and total strangers approaching us with prophetic words of encouragement. I cannot count the ways that GOD reveals Himself. For me, personally...I have had actual healings, touches, and even heard an audible voice at one time. I have also been visited by annointed angels, witnessed a few supernatural events...and this old country boy's eyes were opened! I do not doubt your sincerity...but I do know that praying, fasting, seeking GOD is a good thing..and there is NO formula except a repentent heart. GOD looks down and sees your heart. His touch comes at just the right time. I do know that GOD inhabits the praises of His people. IF you are indeed one of His own, therein lies a clue! Praise...the more praise and worship you offer to HIM, His presence is guaranteed! When praises are sent UP...HIS blessings come down! Do not get caught up in semantics. Approach your Creator humbly, and take the time to listen..instead of a lot of begging. He already knows the desires of your heart. I Find that HIs presence touches me when I am reading the BIBLE. I ask the Holy Spirit to interpret what I read so that I can benefit from it.