When God Is Quiet: Learning to Listen Anyway

For a long time now, I’ve wrestled with hearing from God.

I’ve begged Him to speak to me like He spoke to David—direct and clear. Remember how David would ask God whether to go into battle and God would answer with a yes or no? That kind of relationship? I’ve craved it.

But truthfully, in over 30 years of walking with Jesus, I can only remember one time when I knew, without a doubt, that I heard Him speak directly to me.

The One Time I Heard God

Jeff was active duty Air Force at the time. Our daughter, Alli, was 3, and our son, Sam, wasn’t even 6 months old. We had just found out we were getting orders—we didn’t know where or when, just that change was coming. Typical military life!

I was working at my church’s preschool with 18–24-month-old babies. They were adorable—sweet, cuddly, and not yet old enough to sass me. It was a good season.

I’ll never forget standing in the hallway of the church and clearly hearing God say, “I want you to work with the youth at your next base.”

I knew it was Him because that thought wasn’t even remotely mine. At the time, preteens and teens scared me. I honestly believed they’d eat me alive.

But I said yes.

That Yes Changed Everything

Fast forward a year, and we were stationed at Whiteman AFB in Windsor, Missouri. I became the youth leader at our little church. And what I found surprised me—those “scary” teens? They were sweet, funny, thoughtful, and hungry for Jesus. I absolutely loved it.

In fact, my podcast episode “Our Surrender and God’s Faithfulness” is a conversation with one of those girls from the youth group. Those chocolate-gravy breakfasts and late-night talks about Jesus became some of my most treasured memories.

That one “yes” led to a string of others. When we were later stationed at Incirlik AB in Turkey, I stepped into youth ministry again—this time with Club Beyond, through the base chapel. I got to teach, travel, and grow alongside some amazing students and leaders. Austria, Belgium, deep conversations, lifelong friendships—it was a season of blessing I never could’ve imagined.

But What About Now?

That moment in the church hallway is still the only time I’ve heard God that clearly. And I’ll admit—it makes me wish He spoke that way more often.

Because I’m not great at subtle. I’d much rather get the email, the skywriting, the billboard.

But here’s what I’ve learned: Even when I don’t hear God, I can follow Him. If I take the next right step that aligns with His Word, I’m walking in the right direction.

The Battle in My Mind

When I decided to start a coaching program and podcast, I didn’t hear him audibly.  I’m literally just walking in faith that my heart to help women know Him better is also His heart, based on what I read in His Word.

The battle that rages in my mind is not not being able to hear Him—it’s my own negative thoughts that get in the way:

• “Who would want to listen to me?”

• “I’m not smart enough to do this coaching program or podcast.”

• “I know my past and all the ways I still mess up. What right do I have to teach or help anyone?”

Sound familiar?

Those thoughts are not from God. They’re lies meant to discourage, derail, and disqualify.

So what do I do instead? I keep my mind on God’s truth. His Word is the anchor I need when my thoughts feel like a storm.

My Go-To Verses

Here are a few scriptures I keep on my desk for days when I feel like quitting and applying to stock shelves at Aldi instead:

• Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”➤ He’s my provider. Period.

• Nehemiah 6:9 – (when they were rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem) “For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, ‘They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.’ But now, O God, strengthen my hands.”➤ When I feel attacked or overwhelmed and want to give up, I ask Him to give me strength.

• Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”➤ I read this when I’m discouraged by things not working out perfectly.

• Philippians 2:13 – “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”➤ God’s the one doing the work. I just show up.

• Hebrews 11:6 – “Without faith it is impossible to please God…”➤ When doubts creep in, I read this with Philippians 2:13 and Hebrews 12:1–3 to remind myself that Jesus is the founder and perfecter of my faith, He does the work in me.

• Hebrews 12:1–3 – “…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith… who for the joy set before Him endured the cross…”➤ We were the joy set before Him. That wrecks me in the best way.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been longing to hear from God—audibly, clearly, unmistakably—I get it. I’ve been there.

But friend, you don’t have to hear Him out loud to walk with Him.His Word is alive. It’s faithful. It’s true.And when your thoughts try to drag you down, His truth will lift you back up.

Keep walking. Keep trusting. Keep listening in the quiet.

He’s there.