Understand how important it is for us to hear Yahweh's voice. He promises us we can (John 10:27).
One way to know that it's Him is to have peace about a decision. That peace may only be there for a very brief period of time.
David had learned so much by the time he and his men returned to camp and found their dwellings burnt and their wives and families gone. The guys who just fought with him talked of killing him. David wept until he couldn't But then he encouraged himself in the Lord. Only then did he ask Yahweh what to do.
A particularly interesting note is the order. He encouraged himself in The Lord then asks Him what to do. David understood something sufficient in doing this. Numerous life lessons. (I Sam 30)
To encourage myself in The Lord, I can get my mind off myself and concerns and in one sitting -
- set aside some more time to deliberately focus on Yahweh,
- thanksgiving, praising Him,
- play some music ((like religious Christmas lyrics that are about Him),
- focus on Scripture such as Psa 145 (love audio Bibles at biblegateway.com)
- think about some of His titles, names, and attributes and
- sing a song to an audience of One (can change a song's lyrics or make up the lyrics), etc. yet listening.
- glorify His name and tell Him who He is and who He is to me.
There's joy in His presence Psa 16:11 also I Thess 5:17; John 4:24; Psa 46:10, 69:30; 71:23; and 100:4.