“I wish God would just tell me what to do.”
Have you ever felt that way? You’re facing a decision, navigating a difficult season, or just trying to figure out your next step—and you wish God would speak audibly and make it crystal clear.
Here’s the good news: God is speaking. The challenge isn’t getting God to talk—it’s learning to recognize His voice.
Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).
Notice He didn’t say “My sheep might occasionally hear my voice if they’re really spiritual.” He said His sheep hear His voice. Present tense. Ongoing reality.
If you’re a follower of Jesus, you can hear God’s voice.
Today, I want to show you how to recognize God’s voice in your everyday life—not just in the big spiritual moments, but in the ordinary, mundane, beautiful messiness of daily living.
Why It’s Hard to Hear God’s Voice
Before we talk about how to hear God, let’s address why it often feels so difficult:
1. We’re Too Noisy
Our lives are filled with noise—literal and figurative. Social media, news, entertainment, busy schedules, constant notifications. We rarely create space for quiet.
God isn’t usually shouting over the noise. He’s the “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12).
2. We’re Not Listening
Sometimes we’re so busy talking at God (listing our requests, our problems, our complaints) that we don’t stop to listen for His response.
Prayer is supposed to be a conversation, not a monologue.
3. We Don’t Recognize His Voice
We expect God to sound a certain way or speak in a certain method, so we miss Him when He shows up differently than we expected.
4. We Don’t Like What He’s Saying
Sometimes we do hear God, but we ignore it because His direction isn’t what we wanted to hear.
5. We’re Too Distracted
Worry, fear, busyness, and stress create mental clutter that makes it hard to hear anything clearly—including God’s voice.
But none of these obstacles are insurmountable. You can learn to hear God more clearly.
How God Speaks Today
First, let’s establish the ways God speaks:
1. Through Scripture
This is the primary way God speaks. The Bible is God’s revealed Word—His character, His will, His heart.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:16
If you want to hear God’s voice, start by reading His Word. Any “word from God” you receive must align with Scripture.
2. Through the Holy Spirit
If you’re a believer, the Holy Spirit lives in you. He guides you, convicts you, comforts you, and speaks truth to you.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” – John 14:26
The Holy Spirit often speaks through that inner knowing, gentle conviction, or persistent impression.
3. Through Circumstances
God can speak through open and closed doors, through provision or lack, through unexpected opportunities or roadblocks.
This doesn’t mean every circumstance is God’s voice—but sometimes He uses situations to guide us.
4. Through Other People
God often speaks through wise counsel, through a friend’s timely encouragement, through a pastor’s sermon, or through a mentor’s advice.
“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” – Proverbs 15:22
5. Through Peace (or Lack of It)
God often speaks through that deep sense of peace when something is right, or that unsettled feeling when something is off.
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” – Colossians 3:15
The word “rule” means to act as an umpire—calling safe or out.
6. Through Dreams and Visions
While less common, God does still speak through dreams and visions. But these should always be tested against Scripture and wise counsel.
7. Through Creation
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” – Psalm 19:1
Sometimes God speaks through the beauty of creation, reminding us of His power, creativity, and care.
7 Practical Ways to Hear God’s Voice
Now let’s get practical. Here’s how to position yourself to hear God more clearly:
1. Create Space for Quiet
You can’t hear a whisper in a hurricane. You have to intentionally create quiet space in your life.
How to do this:
- Start your day with 10-15 minutes of silence before checking your phone
- Turn off background noise regularly
- Take a walk without earbuds
- Practice Sabbath rest
- Limit social media consumption
Try this: Set a timer for 5 minutes. Sit in silence. Don’t pray, don’t read, don’t do anything. Just be quiet and present before God.
It will feel awkward at first. That’s okay. You’re creating space to hear.
2. Read Scripture Expectantly
Don’t just read the Bible for information. Read it expecting God to speak to you through it.
How to do this:
- Ask God to speak to you before you read
- Read slowly, not quickly
- When a verse jumps out at you, stop and sit with it
- Ask: “What are You saying to me through this?”
- Journal what you sense God highlighting
Try this: Read a passage three times slowly. The first time, read for understanding. The second time, read for what stands out. The third time, read for what God is saying specifically to you.
3. Learn to Recognize God’s Character in His Voice
God’s voice will always align with His character. If what you’re “hearing” contradicts what Scripture says about God, it’s not God speaking.
God’s voice:
- Brings peace, even when it challenges you
- Aligns with Scripture
- Produces love, not fear
- Convicts gently, doesn’t condemn harshly
- Points to Jesus
- Encourages you toward holiness
- Is patient and kind
The enemy’s voice:
- Brings confusion and chaos
- Contradicts Scripture
- Produces anxiety and fear
- Condemns and shames
- Points to self
- Encourages sin or compromise
- Is harsh and accusing
Practice discernment: When you sense a “word” or impression, test it against God’s character.
4. Ask Questions and Listen
Prayer isn’t just you talking at God. It’s a conversation.
How to do this:
- Ask God specific questions: “What do You want me to know today?” “How should I handle this situation?” “What’s the next step?”
- Then be quiet and listen
- Pay attention to what comes to mind
- Write down impressions, even if you’re not sure
Try this: Have a “listening prayer” time. Instead of bringing your list of requests, simply ask, “God, what do You want to say to me today?” Then listen.
5. Pay Attention to Persistent Impressions
Sometimes God speaks through that thought that keeps coming back. That person who keeps coming to mind. That Scripture that keeps showing up.
God often repeats Himself to get our attention.
If the same impression, person, or Scripture keeps showing up repeatedly—pay attention. God might be trying to tell you something.
How to respond:
- Don’t dismiss persistent impressions as coincidence
- Ask God: “Are You trying to tell me something?”
- Test it against Scripture
- Share it with a trusted friend or mentor
- Act on it if it’s clear
6. Obey What You’ve Already Heard
Here’s a hard truth: If you’re not obeying what God has already told you, He’s not likely to give you more direction.
Jesus said: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” – John 14:15
Before asking God for new direction, ask yourself:
- Is there anything He’s already told me that I’m not doing?
- Is there a clear command in Scripture I’m ignoring?
- Is there a step He showed me that I haven’t taken?
Obedience positions you to hear God’s voice more clearly.
7. Seek Wise Counsel
God often speaks through other mature believers. Don’t try to discern God’s voice in isolation.
How to do this:
- Share what you sense God is saying with a trusted mentor, pastor, or friend
- Ask for their perspective
- Be willing to receive correction if you’re off track
- Look for confirmation through multiple people
“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” – Proverbs 11:14
What God’s Voice Sounds Like in Everyday Life
Let me give you some real-life examples of what hearing God’s voice actually looks like:
In Your Relationships
You’re about to send an angry text. Suddenly, you sense a check in your spirit: Wait. Don’t send that yet.
That’s God’s voice, protecting you from words you can’t take back.
In Your Decisions
You’re deciding between two job offers. One pays more, but you have zero peace about it. The other pays less, but you have a deep sense of rightness.
That peace (or lack of it) is often God’s voice guiding you.
In Your Worry
You’re spiraling in anxiety about something. A verse you memorized years ago suddenly comes to mind: “Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
That’s the Holy Spirit reminding you of truth.
In Your Day
You’re rushing through your morning and sense an impression: Slow down. Be present.
That’s God inviting you into a more peaceful pace.
In Your Compassion
A person keeps coming to mind. You feel prompted to reach out, pray for them, or encourage them.
That’s often God asking you to be His hands and feet to someone who needs it.
When You’re Not Sure If It’s God
Sometimes you’ll sense something and wonder: “Is that God or just me?”
Here’s what to do:
1. Test It Against Scripture
Does it align with God’s Word and character? If yes, it might be God. If no, it’s not.
2. Check Your Motives
Is this direction self-serving or God-glorifying? Does it feed your ego or point to Jesus?
3. Look for Peace
Do you have a deep sense of peace about it, or are you anxious and unsettled?
4. Seek Confirmation
Share it with wise believers. Do they sense God in it too, or do they have concerns?
5. Wait for Clarity
If you’re not sure, wait. God is not in a hurry. He’ll make it clear if it’s important.
“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” – 1 Corinthians 14:33
When in doubt, wait for clarity. Rushed decisions rarely align with God’s voice.
What to Do When God Seems Silent
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, God seems silent.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Silence Doesn’t Mean Absence
Just because you don’t hear God doesn’t mean He’s not there. He’s always present, always working, even in the silence.
2. Sometimes Silence Is a Test
God may be quiet to see if you’ll trust what He’s already told you, even without new direction.
3. Sometimes You Need to Address Sin
Unconfessed sin can create a barrier. Ask God if there’s anything you need to confess and make right.
4. Sometimes You’re Too Distracted
Assess your life. Are you creating any space for God to speak? Or is every moment filled with noise?
5. Sometimes It’s a Season of Waiting
Not every season is marked by clear direction. Sometimes God asks us to be faithful in the waiting.
During silent seasons:
- Keep showing up in prayer and Scripture
- Obey what you already know
- Stay connected to community
- Trust God’s faithfulness even when you can’t hear His voice
My Story: Learning to Hear God’s Voice
I used to think hearing God’s voice meant audible words or dramatic signs.
Then I started paying attention to the small things:
- The verse that came to mind exactly when I needed it
- The person I felt prompted to text who later said, “I needed that today”
- The peace I felt about a decision that didn’t make logical sense
- The gentle conviction when I was about to make a choice I’d regret
I realized: God had been speaking all along. I just hadn’t been listening.
Now, I create space for quiet. I read Scripture expectantly. I pay attention to persistent impressions. I test everything against God’s Word and character.
And you know what? I hear His voice more clearly than ever.
Not audibly. Not dramatically. But clearly, consistently, and personally.
You can too.
Your Next Steps
Want to start hearing God’s voice more clearly? Here’s what to do this week:
Day 1: Create 10 minutes of quiet space. No agenda, just presence.
Day 2: Read Psalm 23 slowly three times. Ask God what He wants you to hear.
Day 3: Ask God a specific question, then listen. Write down any impressions.
Day 4: Pay attention to persistent thoughts or impressions throughout your day.
Day 5: Share what you’re sensing with a trusted friend. Ask for their perspective.
Day 6: Obey one thing God has already told you.
Day 7: Reflect and journal: How did God speak this week?
A Prayer to Hear God’s Voice
“God, I want to hear Your voice. Teach me to recognize when You’re speaking. Help me create space for quiet. Open my eyes when I read Your Word. Tune my ears to Your Spirit. Quiet the noise in my life and in my mind. Give me discernment to know what’s You and what’s not. And when You speak, give me the courage to obey. I trust that You want to communicate with me even more than I want to hear from You. Thank You for being a God who speaks. In Jesus’s name, Amen.”
Let’s Talk
I’d love to hear from you:
- How has God spoken to you recently?
- What helps you hear His voice more clearly?
- What’s your biggest struggle with hearing God?
Share in the comments below!
Keep Growing
Want daily encouragement for your faith journey?
Check out our “Coffee & Conversations with Jesus” email series—7 days of short devotionals perfect for your morning routine.
Or dive deeper with “Calm Down: 7 Days to Peace” for help navigating overwhelming seasons while staying connected to God’s voice.
Related Posts:
- When You Can’t Calm Down: A Christian’s Guide to Finding Real Peace
- But God Moments: When God Changed Everything
- [Personal Prayer]
Blessings and peace,
Wanda
Following Jesus 101 Ministries
Helping hearts find fresh starts with Jesus
P.S. God wants to speak to you. He’s not hiding. Start creating space, and watch how He shows up.
