Hearing voices is a curious and disturbing phenomenon, certainly the first few times it happens. But then you realise it’s just another extension of the mind trying to sort out the circumstances and experiences of life, especially traumatic events. The voices can be people you know and love that you perceive are troubling you. They are a trick of the mind in the process of sorting out traumatic events or hurtful circumstances. They are a strategy that the mind uses for sorting out emotional pain.

The voices cannot hurt you because they are not real, but yet cause pain as you try to come to terms with real things that have happened to you. You can converse with them, which makes them seem real.

For me there was one reliable voice who guided me in my isolation and sorrow and never let me down or caused me to do the wrong thing. I believe God speaks to His people when there is no one else to help. God never forsakes His children even though all others do.

Latent memories can return to the mind and cause distress. The voices can blame and oppress the thoughts and make untrue circumstances seem true. This is part of the sorting out process and the facing up to past failures and wrong. We need to accept true guilt and bring it to God and not allow things to fester in the mind. We may appear to do strange things but it passes when the right help comes our way.

Medications do help with this phenomenon and give rest to the troubled mind. Reading the Psalms of David is also good, as the Psalmist suffered similarly. The voices pass and we are left in peace. There is no one set pathway for every sufferer, but we all must search our hearts and find the remedy for our soul, mind and body. The answer is in Jesus Christ who suffered more than we ever will. He is the perfect Saviour and will rescue us from all present evil and be a safe refuge from the things that distress us.