Hearing God in times of stress

I regularly pray to God. About big things. About little things. When I lost my job nine months ago, I prayed about really big things -- like my family's finances and me finding a new job. But there was no response. I still don't have a job, and I was feeling abandoned by God.

That was, until I listened to a recent podcast by John Eldredge. He said that it's really difficult to hear God in times of stress, because there is so much noise attacking us. I know what he's talking about -- everybody from my wife to my parents to former coworkers were telling me what to do after I lost my job.

Eldredge's advice is to start with small prayers, like "God, do you love me?" We know that the answer to that is a resounding "Yes!" Eldredge said that there's so many factors that go into the big decisions, that it helps to simplify.

I also think that it makes sense to get away from distractions to focus on God. Just like you can see so many more stars in the country than in the city because of all the lights, it's easier to hear God when one gets away from all of the noise and distractions.

Lord, I yield to you.