Following and Trusting : Encountering God Out of the Box

The Secret to Lifelong Breakthrough:
Teach Her to Hear God

You might remember the old proverb:

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” 

Here’s my version:

“Teach a woman a rule and you help her solve a problem; teach her to hear God, notice His presence, follow Him, and you help her for the rest of her life.”

I’ve heard this wisdom spoken in different ways over the years, but every time I come back to it, I’m reminded just how true it is.

Rules can help. They give us frameworks and boundaries. They offer solutions to the problems right in front of us. But here’s the thing: life is always changing. Yesterday’s answers might not work tomorrow.

But when we learn how to hear God—how to tune in to His voice, recognize His presence, and walk in step with Him—everything changes. Suddenly, the answer isn’t just a rule. It’s a relationship. It’s Him.

Jesus is the Answer

It sounds simple. Maybe even cliché.
But it’s the deepest truth: Jesus is the answer.

Not an idea about Him. Not a religious practice.
Him—alive, present, speaking.

And the beautiful thing? He’s an open and living book. The Word made flesh. The One who is constantly revealing Himself to us—if we’ll just pause to look, listen, and respond.

Moving from Rules to Relationship

Maybe you’re in a season right now where you’re desperate for a rule—a formula, a step-by-step plan. I get it. I’ve been there. But can I remind you of something? Jesus wants to walk with you through this, not just hand you a quick fix.

He’s not holding out on you.
He’s inviting you in.

When we trade our need for rules for the wonder of hearing His voice, and encountering His presence, things fall into place.

Because it’s not about knowing what to do—it’s about knowing who to trust.

It may not be easy, but you’re NOT alone.

A Simple Prayer to Begin a Reset

“Jesus, I don’t just want to know the rules. I want to know You.
Help me to hear Your voice.
Show me where You’re moving and speaking.
Draw me close, even in the messy, uncertain places.
Teach me to walk with You, step by step.”

He’s the Living Book

I invite you to let go of the pressure to have it all figured out.
Open your ears.
Lift your eyes.
Jesus is speaking.
And in Him, you’ll find the answers that last for a lifetime.

Feeling stuck in hearing God’s voice?

Here are a few helps for you:

Digest the yellow book

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Merri Ellen Giesbrecht / www.merriellen.com