🤔 Hearing God’s Voice or Your Own? How to Know the Difference

I used to think hearing God’s voice would feel like the clouds parting and everything becoming crystal clear. But in reality? It’s been a journey—one built on trust and action.

I’ve learned that discerning God’s voice isn’t always about having everything figured out from the start. It’s about Him nudging me in a direction and me responding by trying it out—even when things still feel a little foggy. And every time I took a step of faith, I saw evidence of His hand in it. Over time, His voice became clearer.

Faith isn’t just a feeling—it’s action. And let’s be real, action can feel scary! Sometimes it means saying yes to something that makes no sense. But when I started stepping out on the little nudges I felt? That’s when things started to catch FIRE! 🔥

Let me tell you about one of those moments.

The Puppets No One Asked For 🤣

When I was leading our church through COVID, I had this random idea: “What if we added a weekly puppet show to our virtual services?”

I immediately thought, Okay, that’s just me being silly. But for some reason, I couldn’t shake the idea. It felt lighthearted, uplifting, and fun—exactly what we needed in a heavy season.

But when I brought it up? Oh, the pushback! Who knew people had strong feelings about puppets?! 🫣

Even with all the resistance, I couldn’t shake the sense that this idea was from God—that it was actually a mix of Him and me together. It felt like God was moving through my personality, my creativity, and my desire to bring joy to people.

🎥 Watch a puppet show starring Charity (my daughter) and me as Maria! 👇🏼

So, I went for it. And guess what? Not only did it become a favorite part of our virtual Sunday services (even for the adults 😆), but it sparked something even bigger—a global virtual kids’ camp… starring a puppet!

And it all started with one small nudge.

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Let’s Talk About Your Moments of Clarity 👀

So, what about you?

Have you ever had an idea or a thought that felt too good to be your own? Maybe a creative spark, a random nudge to check on someone, or even words that popped into your mind—and later, you realized they were exactly what you needed to hear?

We tend to brush those moments off as just our own thoughts, but… what if they’re actually God’s whispers?

📖 The Bible says:

• "For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it." (Job 33:14)

• "My sheep hear My voice." (John 10:27)

• "Every good and perfect gift is from above." (James 1:17)

Those moments of insight, clarity, or sudden peace? That’s often Him. The challenge is trusting it—even when it’s subtle.

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How Do You Know If It’s Really God?

The best way to recognize someone’s voice is to know their character. And God? He’s already shown us exactly who He is.

His voice will always sound like:

♡ Love that builds up, never tears down (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

♡ Truth that brings freedom, not confusion (John 8:32)

♡ Peace that quiets fear, even in uncertainty (Isaiah 26:3)

♡ Wisdom that leads to life, not chaos (James 3:17)

So if a thought, nudge, or idea carries love, peace, truth, wisdom, or goodness—chances are, it’s God speaking.

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Practical Ways to Discern His Voice

1. Stop Overthinking and Start Trusting: Ever find yourself asking, “Is this really God?”—and then overanalyzing it to the point of paralysis? 🙋🏼‍♀️ Been there.

Here’s the truth: God is not trying to make this hard for you. He wants you to know His voice. The key? Take one small step in faith.

2. The Simplicity of His Voice: One of my mentors puts it this way: "God’s voice is often the first good thing that pops into your heart."

But how do you know if it’s really Him? Ask yourself:

• Does it align with God’s nature?

• Does it sound like love?

• Does it bring clarity instead of confusion?

• Does it lead to life instead of fear?

God never contradicts His goodness. So when you feel that creative spark, that compassionate thought, that peaceful sense of direction—trust that He’s guiding you.

4. Does It Sound Like Jesus?

Still unsure? Here’s a simple check: Does this sound like Jesus?

• The Good Shepherd (John 10:11) → His voice is gentle and protective.

• The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) → His voice brings peace, not pressure.

• The Light of the World (John 8:12) → His voice brings clarity, not confusion.

• The Way, Truth, and Life (John 14:6) → His voice leads to good things, not destruction.

If it sounds like Jesus, it’s Him. If it sounds like fear, shame, or discouragement, it’s not.

The more you trust, the more you’ll hear. God’s voice is not hidden from you.

Keep your heart open, and be ready for the ways He is whispering His love, direction, and plans into your life. ✨

With love and cheering you on,

Kandi