How Do You Know When God Is Telling You Something? Try These 3 Ways

Inside: How do you know when God is telling you something? Cut through your confusion, learn how to recognize His voice, and gain clarity so you can discern His will. Discover 3 ways God is talking to you right now.

Have you ever prayed for a burning bush? I have.

I wanted an indisputable, unmissable encounter with God. You see, I was confused about what path to take and couldn’t seem to find an answer on my own. Not one I felt would lead to success with one hundred percent certainty.

So I figured a burning bush was the perfect way to know for sure what God was telling me to do.

No shame if you’ve asked for a burning bush yourself. I mean, short of an angelic visitation, how else do you know when God is telling you something?

Bonus: As a bonus for joining my weekly newsletter, get this free printable download—The Hearing God Cheat Sheet. It gives you 6 guaranteed signs He’s speaking to you, so you can stop missing it.

But First, Here’s the Problem

Discerning God’s voice and will is probably one of the hardest parts of the Christian walk. This is true whether you’re:

• Praying for help in the middle of your unhappiness.
• Praying for guidance about a new direction.
• Wondering if the uncomfortable prickling sensation you feel is God or your conscience.

And while His word is very clear about many things, it’s often not very specific about some of the things you’re struggling with now. Those are the things you wish He’d show up for in a burning bush.

It sure is no fun when you’re wondering why God doesn’t talk to you, especially when you’ve been praying for what feels like years. Meanwhile, it seems like God is silent.

I know because I went through it. From the toxic relationship I stayed trapped in for a decade to my misery at work, I begged God countless times to rescue me.

I prayed about my calling from God, about what God wanted me to do with my life, and about what He was leading me into if I left my well-paying job.

And the whole time I prayed, I wondered, how do you know when God is telling you something? Because He sure didn’t seem to be saying a thing to me.

How Do You Know When God Is Telling You Something…or Not?

Or maybe you don’t need rescue from a bad situation. Maybe you’re just living your life and minding your business, and a new opportunity crashes into your world.

Maybe you can have your dream job but the pay isn’t quite what you expected. Or maybe the pay is great but taking the job means uprooting your life. Or maybe it’s an exciting opportunity to be involved in a new ministry but it will make uncomfortable demands on your time.

So you’re stuck in indecision, wondering if taking this step is a good idea.

Related: God, Please Tell Me What to Do! 7 Quality Questions to Cure Indecision

Or perhaps you’re wrestling with an issue you’re not sure is wrong but which doesn’t feel quite right. It doesn’t neatly fall under one of the Ten Commandments so consulting your Bible hasn’t helped you. Still, something doesn’t feel quite right to you.

So how do you know when God is talking to you or if it’s your conscience?

For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables…In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable…Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

Romans 14: 2, 5, 12-13 (NLT)

Well, here’s the good news. When God wants you to know something, He tells you. The problem is usually spiritual deafness on your part, or you not knowing how to hear Him in the first place.

How to Know If God Is Telling You Something

God is God and He isn’t limited in any way. God can get your attention any way He wants to, including through a burning bush.

But you can find more simple, common signs God is speaking to you. Here are 3 of them.

1. God Speaks to You through His Holy Spirit

As a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is always with you. And He often prompts you in ways you may feel as a knowing in your gut.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

John 14:26 (CSB)

So if the Holy Spirit’s been prompting you through an inner knowing, why are you still wondering if it’s God telling you something?

The answer is simple: Fear.

You’re afraid of what it means to take the step He’s moving you towards. You’re afraid of the discomfort of stepping out of your comfort zone and into new territory. And you’re afraid of what it will mean if you fail.

In short, you’re afraid to trust God’s plan and timing.

Related: 3 Powerful Prayers for Fear [It’s Time for Courage and Victory!]

So you’re second-guessing what you know God is telling you to do. Instead of stepping into your fear and praying for confidence, it feels more responsible—and way less scary—to say you’re hesitating because you’re trying to make the best decision.

Having said this, be sure to check what your inner knowing is telling you against God’s word. This will confirm if you’re walking in your purpose or walking out of His will.

Bonus: As a bonus for joining my weekly newsletter, get this free printable download—The Hearing God Cheat Sheet. It gives you 6 guaranteed signs He’s speaking to you, so you can stop missing it.

2. God Is Speaking through Other People

God may be telling you something through wisdom from godly counselors, which you can only get if you seek it.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 12:15 (ESV)

You don’t have to be a superhero and solve every problem in your life all by yourself. God gave you a community of believers to lean on for this very reason. This community is for all times, really, but especially when you’re confused or unsure about what to do.

So go ask for help.

Arrange to meet with an older, wiser mentor from your church. Or make an appointment to see the appropriate ministry counselor. Or bring your issue up for advice and prayer at your trusted small group meeting.

Again, be well enough acquainted with your Bible to check the counsel you receive against God’s word. This way, you can make sure they line up. If they don’t, it’s not godly counsel.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1 (CSB)

As you seek wise counsel, remember one thing. God’s word always trumps any human counsel that goes against it, no matter how wise it seems.

3. God Is Telling You Something through a Lack of Peace

Maybe you’re in a perfect-looking situation. But even as great as it seems, something is nagging at you, and it won’t leave you alone.

Maybe, like it partially was for me, it’s the job you hate even though it pays well. As much money as you’re pulling down, the job doesn’t feel like it’s your God-given purpose.

Or maybe, like it also partially was for me, it’s the perfect-looking relationship where you feel not good enough for him. Every interaction leaves you feeling unworthy and you’re starting to suspect this isn’t God’s best for you.

Or maybe it’s the Negative Nelly who makes you feel bad about yourself. Your self-esteem is in tatters because of them, and now you’re wondering what God thinks of you.

Whatever your situation, your soul is in turmoil and peace is a distant memory.

My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is.

Lamentations 3:17 (ESV)

In a situation like this, how do you know when God is telling you something?

Easy.

If you can’t get to a place of peace about the circumstance or decision, then it may be God warning you.

And fair warning: You won’t find peace again until you stop ignoring Him and heed His warning.

Your Next Step to Know When God Is Telling You Something

I prayed for years for God to guide me to the best decisions, to rescue me from my unhappiness, and even to show me how to be a better woman.

And when I couldn’t figure out if God was telling me something, I prayed for a burning bush.

I never got one but the truth is, I didn’t need one. And you don’t either.

What you do need is to learn how to know when God is telling you something. Start with one of these 3 simple ways:

1. Through His Holy Spirit.
2. Through other people.
3. With a lack of peace in your spirit.

God never fails to answer your prayers, and He’s always ready to guide you when you ask. But it’s up to you to learn how to recognize His voice.

Then you’ll know it when you hear it and stop wondering how do you know when God is telling you something.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

John 10:27 (ESV)

Before you go, get your FREE printable download to help conquer your confusion—The Essential Guide to Finding Clarity.

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