6 Ways to Hear God's Voice
In the chaos of everyday life, it’s easy to ask, “God, are You speaking to me?” The world around us is constantly buzzing with messages, updates, and opinions coming from every direction. No wonder it can feel hard to know what’s His voice and what’s just noise.
Whether you’re walking through a difficult season or wondering if your dreams are divinely inspired, these six practices can help you recognize His voice more clearly.
1. Quiet the Noise
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” - Psalm 46:10
God does not compete with chaos. One practice you can do daily is set aside time to sit in silence even if it is only for 10 minutes. Just sit, take steady breaths and say, “Lord, I’m listening.” At first you may feel silly or have to learn to quiet your own thoughts that will try to play in your mind however, over time, you’ll begin to recognize the difference between your own anxious thoughts and His guidance.
After these silent moments try journaling. Write what you sensed, even if it feels unsure. As time goes by, you’ll begin to see patterns. God’s voice is consistent, patient, and loving, never condemning or confusing.
2. Know His Character (Scripture as His Voice)
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” - 2 Timothy 3:16
The more you know God’s nature, the easier it becomes to tell when it’s really Him speaking to you. When something aligns with His Word such as love, integrity, wisdom, compassion it’s often His Spirit speaking. If what you hear or think contradicts His nature . . . fear, shame, bitterness, selfish gain then that’s not Him.
You can start small by reading a short passage each morning. Maybe start with the book Psalm, the book of Proverbs, or one of the Gospels. Allow the Spirit to open your eyes and your mind by asking.
“What are You saying to me through this today?”
Then listen for that verse to echo in your spirit throughout the day. It can show up in conversations, decisions, even songs or subtle signs that come your way.
3. Recognize His Tone
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5
- God’s voice carries love, correction, and hope.
- The enemy’s voice carries fear, shame, and accusation.
- Your own inner voice often carries logic or emotion.
- As you walk with Him, you’ll start to sense the difference.
4. Pay Attention to Peace
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11
God leads through peace, not pressure. If you feel internal rest about a decision, even one that is hard or unfamiliar, that’s usually the Spirit guiding you. If you feel turmoil or confusion, wait. God’s voice doesn’t rush; it reassures.
5. Confirm It Through Others and Circumstances
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
When God speaks, He confirms His word through alignment. It could be a conversation with a stranger, a sermon from your pastor, a message from a friend that mirrors what you’ve sensed.
Be open to trusted people of faith who can pray with you for discernment and clarity.
You may also feel as if your circumstances are beginning to shift.
This can look like:
* Doors opening that you didn’t even knock on.
* Certain people drift out of your life, not out of loss, but out of protection.
* New opportunities appear that seem “coincidental,” but carry peace and confirmation.
* A space you were once comfortable in feels uncomfortable and suffocating.
6. Obey the Small Nudges
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11
Sometimes God’s voice becomes clearer only after we obey the small promptings.
He might say, “Call this person,” “Forgive that debt,” or “Start writing.” When you move in obedience to the small things, you build your spiritual muscle to recognize Him in the bigger things.
As time goes and your faith grows so will your ability to know when God is speaking to you. Be patient with yourself and show yourself grace, as God does for you, on this journey we all are on.
If you’re longing to draw closer to God and keep track of what He’s speaking to your heart, our Bible Study & Prayer Journals: Be Still and Bowed Head are a wonderful companion to begin that journey. Inside, you’ll find space to write scriptures and the lesson you learned from it, word studies, character reflections, and personal prayers — a good beginner's guide for anyone learning to listen more deeply.
And when you need a little visual encouragement, we have sticker sheets filled with faith-inspired messages and illustrations — Let God sticker sheet and So Very Thankful — perfect for journaling pages, planners, or reminders of grace throughout your day.
Both were created to help you make space for God’s voice — not just in quiet moments, but in the rhythm of everyday life.