Hey Friend!
Have you ever felt confused: Is the Holy Spirit speaking to me or is that my own thought? You feel God wants you to do something or go somewhere but did He really speak and did you really hear or was that your thoughts or plans? Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit tell you to do something or say something and it felt too big and scary? Surely, you didn’t hear correctly. Perhaps you doubt whether or not God even speaks to us today. Why does He seem silent?
There were times when I heard God tell me to do something and I jumped right to it. I took action on the ideas that came to mind when I should have paused and sat longer in quiet and God’s presence to be 100% sure that the Holy Spirit was speaking to me. Have you ever jumped into action when it would have been better to be still and listen first?
I want you to know when the Holy Spirit is speaking to you. I want you to feel peaceful and confident that you are doing the right thing and taking action on what God tells you to do. When I started my podcasting business, I struggled with many doubts and fears, but I learned how to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit as my guide at every step of my business. I want the same for you.
It’s time to understand when the Holy Spirit places thoughts and dreams in your heart. Here are four ways to know if the Holy Spirit is speaking to you, and if you should take action on what you hear.
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?
Before going over the four phases to determine if the Holy Spirit is speaking to you, it is important to know who the Holy Spirit is. God is three in one: God the Father, Jesus the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a real entity; a real person. Jesus promised that when He left earth, He would send the Holy Spirit to be your helper. When you acknowledge that Christ is your Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to lead you and help you make godly choices. He is there to help you discern right and wrong and walk in God’s plan for your life.
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment…
John 16:7-8 NKJVThrough a Spiritual Nudge
One way the Holy Spirit speaks is with a nudge in your spirit. Jesuswalk.com describes a spiritual nudge as “an inarticulate expression in my mind to do this or that or not to do something. These are usually whispers that don’t come articulated in the form of a complete sentence or even in words.”
It is important when you feel a nudge in your spirit to take the thought or impression to God in prayer. Read the Word and bring the nudge to God. The Holy Spirit will lead you to the truth. It is important to go through the four phases to know and to feel peace and be confident that you are doing the right thing, taking action on something that God wants for you.
IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKING TO YOU? Phase 1 – An Unshakable Thought
The first phase of the Holy Spirit speaking to you is with a small thought that pops into your mind. Maybe I should do this… or What if I did that? It is an unshakable thought that you can’t get out of your mind. Sometimes these thoughts come as a whisper or as a strong thought that you can’t ignore. You might have all the ideas for your online business or podcast, but this one idea you can’t get out of your head.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJVThoughts come and go, but this verse says that God gives you thoughts, and His thoughts are higher and better than yours. Be assured that God plants thoughts to lead, guide, and protect you. When you have an unshakable thought that keeps coming back to your mind for a week, a month, or years, it is worth considering further. Take it to the feet of Jesus and ask Him about that thought: Lord, I keep having this thought. Please show me Your truth. Please help me know and have confidence that it’s You speaking to me.
IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKING TO YOU? Phase 2 – Doubt and Fear Comes
The second phase of the Holy Spirit speaking to you is doubt and fear will come to your mind, often immediately after the unshakable thought. I can’t be a podcaster. What happens if I fail? Do I really have what it takes? I’ve done this for years. I can’t let everyone down if I quit now. A God-planted thought is often followed by doubt and fear because you don’t know the outcome. It may be outside your comfort zone or require a stop to something you are comfortable doing and the start of something new and unknown.
If God has planted an unshakeable thought in your mind, it will feel scary and you will be unsure. This is natural because you are human. However, understand that doubt and fear are not from God. Hand these feelings to God, and He will help you work through those emotions.
Listen to these episodes to help you overcome doubt and fear:
How to Overcome Your Fear and Self-Doubt in 4 Steps
Do It Scared: Biblically Overcome Your Fear of Failure
IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKING TO YOU? Phase 3 – An Open Heart
The third phase of the Holy Spirit speaking to you transitions from fear and doubt into your heart opening up and believing that it is possible. Maybe this will work. Maybe this is good for me and my family. This is the next best step for my online business. You start to see a plan around what to do or where to go. While there are plenty of unknowns, it starts to come together as you align with the Holy Spirit’s thoughts and plans. You step out in faith and excited anticipation working together with the Holy Spirit.
IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKING TO YOU? Phase 4 – Take Action
The final phase of the Holy Spirit speaking to you moves you to take action. There is nothing you can do to stop yourself from taking action in what you are led to do. In your online business, this could mean picking up the phone and making calls to network or speak on stages. For your podcast, this could mean plugging in your microphone and creating long-form content that helps your ideal listener.
Listen to this episode if you feel hesitation in taking action in your online business:
Get UNSTUCK, Sis! How to Let God Take The Wheel, So You Can Take ACTION!
TURN THIS INSIGHT INTO ACTION
Homework: Take out a sheet of paper and write down the answers to the following questions:
- What is a recurring unshakable thought that you keep having?
- What are some of the doubts and fears surrounding that unshakable thought? Then find scripture that counteracts that doubt and fear.
- What if it works? What would it feel like if you followed through with that unshakable thought? What if you started that podcast?
Enjoy listening to this episode where my friends Erik and Emily Orton asked themselves the question “What could go right?” to overcome fear.
- What is step one of following through with your unshakable thought? Pray over the first step and then take action immediately.
As you work through the answer to these questions, if you are still sure if you are being led by the Holy Spirit, keep praying. You will get a yes if it is from God. Only He knows where He is taking you.
“The Spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you, the Spirit of Truth.”
John 14:17 NKJVGod’s plan for your life is much bigger than you can imagine! You are anointed and appointed for a time such as this to step out by faith into what God is calling you to do. It is time to say, Yes! to the Holy Spirit’s leading. I pray that you will take the first step.
If you feel the Holy Spirit is leading you to start a podcast, your first step can be checking out my FREE Podcast for Growth Workshop. You will learn how to grow your online business in less time through a podcast. Learn to plan, record, and launch a podcast without social media. Do you already have a podcast, but feel stuck in your download numbers without the growth and sales you want from your show? Learn how to get more downloads, grow your audience with leads who ask to work with you, and make more sales with leads ready to buy inside Podcast to Profit, my six-month group coaching program.
APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY
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Silence the Noise: Overcome Distraction to Hear God’s Call
5 Biblical Truths to Encourage You to Answer the Call of God from the Book of Haggai
5 Bible Verses About Trusting God’s Direction and Growing in Your Faith
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