Whenever I lead women’s groups and start talking about how Jesus and I communicate, the same whispers and questions arise: “How do I know if I’m hearing from God?” This is such an important question, one that I wish was talked about more in the church, in books, and everywhere. After all, how can we follow Jesus if we don’t know how to hear from Him? And how do we avoid getting lost in our own thoughts—or misled by the enemy—if we can’t recognize His voice?
Jesus makes it clear in John 10:27:
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
So yes, it’s crucial to know and understand the voice of God. But practically speaking, this sometimes needs more explanation. That’s why in this three-part series, I’m sharing my own story and journey—how learning to hear from God became as natural as breathing, though it took some time and practice to get here.
A Few Things to Note:
It’s Like Going Back to the Gym
If you’ve ever gone back to the gym after months of inactivity, you know your muscles need to wake up. They need work to remember how to function properly. Similarly, our spiritual muscles also need time to develop when it comes to hearing God’s voice. It’s a process of growth and tuning in.Make It Playful
Jesus reminds us in Matthew 18:3-4 to approach our faith with childlike humility:
“Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Children on a playground don’t worry about doing everything “right.” They experiment. They climb up slides, run down hills, and jump off walls. And if they fall, they get right back up and try again. When you start talking to Jesus, think of it like this—be playful. You don’t need to be perfect. It’s okay if you don’t get it right every time. Maybe start by asking Him about something small before tackling life’s bigger questions.It’s Not About Testing God—It’s About Clarity
One of my favorite examples is Gideon in Judges 6:36-40. He asked God for two miraculous signs to confirm what He was saying. Gideon wasn’t testing God; he was seeking clarity. Similarly, we can ask for clear communication with Jesus, and He understands.
Jesus said, "my sheep know my voice." A life ordered by Jesus starts with knowing how to distinguish your voice from his."
Silencing the Inner Voice
As women, our internal dialogue can be deafening. Our minds are constantly racing, never staying in the moment:
“What’s for dinner? Did I remember to take out the meat from the freezer? I’m worried about my son’s tantrums—it’s probably because I’m not doing enough as a mom. What day is my doctor’s appointment?”
It’s a constant mental to-do list that loops on repeat.
The problem is, we can’t hear God when our inner voice is shouting in our heads.
And that voice? It’s not just loud—it’s critical. It tends to blame us, telling us we’re not doing enough or that we’re the problem. She’s downright mean.
So, how do you turn her off and hear from God?
Here’s what I do:
I say, “God, I only want to hear from You right now. Silence my inner voice.” Then, I take a few deep breaths. A calm washes over me, and the noise in my mind begins to fade. Only then do I enter into dialogue with Jesus.
Pro tip: You can do this all day long. It’s incredibly helpful.
Practical Prompts to Ask Jesus
Start small. Here are a few light prompts you can ask Jesus as you learn to hear His voice:
- “Jesus, what’s one thing that’s beautiful about today?”
- “What’s something you love about me?”
- “How can I show kindness to someone this week?”
- “Is there something small you want me to focus on today?”
Remember, hearing from God isn’t about getting it right the first time. It’s about building the relationship, trusting the process, and letting His voice lead you.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive deeper into the process of discernment and learning how to distinguish between your voice, God’s voice, and the enemy’s lies.
