Hey Friend!
Do you ever find it hard to discern if a thought is coming from you or from the Holy Spirit? Do you doubt whether or not you can hear God’s voice? Are you wanting to take action on the ideas that come to your mind, but feel stuck in doubt and fear?
Every podcaster has to overcome fearful thoughts such as: What is my God given calling? Is God leading me to become a podcaster? No one will listen to my podcast. It won’t make any money. Although those thoughts are common, it doesn’t mean that they are the truth. We need to discern if these thoughts are from us, or from the Holy Spirit.
When I first started my podcasting business, I struggled through many doubts and fears. Through much prayer, I learned how to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit to guide me every step of the way in my business. It’s time to get out of your own way, and realize when the Holy Spirit is placing thoughts and dreams in your heart. There are four ways to know if God is the one speaking to you, and if you should take action on what you hear. Keep reading to learn the four phases to know whether or not it is the Holy Spirit speaking to you.
The Holy Spirit is our Helper
Before going over the four phases to know if the Holy Spirit is speaking to you, it is important to know that He is your helper. Jesus promised that when He departed, He would send us the Holy Spirit to be our helper. When we acknowledge that Christ is our Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to lead us and help us make Godly choices. He is there to help us discern right and wrong and walk in God’s path for our lives.
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 NKJVThe Holy Spirit is a Truth Bringer
Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of truth in John 14:17. The Holy Spirit is a truth bringer and a truth speaker. You can know where you are being called to go. It is time to say yes to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
What is a Spiritual Nudge From the Holy Spirit?
Before getting into the four phases to know if the Holy Spirit is speaking to you, it is important to understand that sometimes God speaks to us with a nudge in our 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.”
Sometimes we are confused between knowing if it is God speaking to us or ourselves. 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.
Phase 1 of Hearing The Voice of the Holy Spirit-You Will Have an Unshakable Thought
“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 NKJVPhase 1 of discerning God’s voice is when a small unshakable thought comes into your mind. Maybe I should do this… or What if I did that? You can be assured that a thought can be planted by God to help lead you. Thoughts come and go, but an unshakable thought that keeps coming back is worth looking at.
Phase 2 of Hearing The Voice of the Holy Spirit-You Will Start to Doubt and Fear
Often immediately after the unshakable thought, doubt and fear will come to your mind. I can’t be a podcaster. What happens if I fail? Do I really have what it takes? The reason why a God-planted thought is often followed by doubt is because when you don’t know the outcome you can often feel afraid. God’s plans are typically outside of your comfort zone or the start or stop of something new. In a nutshell, it’s uncomfortable.
You might struggle with worries that you will fail, or let others down. But you should know that doubt and fear are not from God. If God has planted the unshakeable thought in your mind, it will feel scary and you will be unsure. Hand these feelings to God, He will help you work through those emotions.
Phase 3 of Hearing The Voice of the Holy Spirit-Your Heart Will be Open
During phase three of hearing God’s voice doors will start to open causing you to believe that your dream is possible.
Because you will start to see God opening doors, your heart will start to be open to the Holy Spirit’s leading. Then you will make the decision to step out in faith.
Phase 4 of Hearing God’s Voice- Holy Spirit Will Prompt You to Take Action
When the Holy Spirit is speaking to you, you will feel prompted to act. There will be nothing you can do to stop yourself from taking action in what you are feeling led to do.
At the start of my business, I first had an unshakable thought, and then I worked through my doubts and fears. I had a heart positioning of trust in God. Then, I plugged in the microphone and just went forward. I had never thought I would be a podcaster, so I knew that this was from God.
Next Steps: Take out a Paper and Start to Pray Over Your Thoughts
Homework: Take out a sheet of paper and answer the following questions:
- Do you keep having a recurring unshakable thought?
- What are some of the doubts and fears surrounding that unshakable thought? 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?
- What is the first step of following through with your unshakable thought? Pray over the first step and then go take action immediately.
If you still aren’t 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. It’s time to step out in faith and say yes to the first step.
God’s plan is so much bigger than our dreams can ever be! You have nothing to lose, and clarity to gain to see if it’s the right next step for your business or ministry. If you feel the Holy Spirit leading you to start a podcast, come check out my FREE Podcast for Growth Workshop. It’s time to step out in faith. Take these four phases to heart, and see how the Holy Spirit transforms your life.
I pray this blesses you!
Xo,
Stef
APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY
Before you go, be sure to watch the free workshop!
This free workshop is for you if you want to grow an online business in less time.
It will teach you how to explode your audience without the social media hustle, make consistent sales using a podcast, and plan, record, and launch a podcast with ease!
RELATED EPISODES:
10 Ways to Use Your Faith to Become a Better Leader
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
Join our Facebook Community!
Online Business for Christian Women with Stefanie Gass
READ MORE
Veronica Romney shares seven tips to leverage your podcast for relationship marketing, deeper connections, and greater sales.
READ MORE
We are in a trust recession. Kelly Roach shares 7 critical things to focus on when things feel uncertain to keep growing your online business.
READ MORE
Ever asked what could go wrong? Erik and Emily Orton share how overcoming fear is possible by asking what could go right.
READ MORE
Here are 4 key podcast performance indicators to determine if your podcast is successful without relying only on download numbers.
READ MORE
Ever run a sale in your online business and got no sales? Learn how to audit your sales funnel to see why no one bought.
READ MORE
Do you struggle with anxiety from the challenges of life? Read this blog to find out why divided loyalty may be the source of your stress.
READ MORE
Want to grow your online business and make more money? Here are 4 things (ONLY 4 Things!) to focus on right now.
READ MORE
In my conversation with Teresa Davis, we discuss her explosive live launch growth, and how to build a business that glorifies God.
READ MORE
Want to explode your podcast growth? Take action on these two things to skyrocket your podcast growth and gain more listeners.
READ MORE
Did you know you can make money online without Posting on Instagram? Find out how Jacqueline Butler doubled her course sales in 3 months.
READ MORE
Do you lack clarity or feel stuck in indecision in your business? Here are 4 steps to help you overcome fear and self-doubt.
READ MORE
Want to know how to explode your income growth? In this interview with Bekah Yawn, she shares how her income doubled in just 6 months.
So glad you're here!
Visit the free resources section and find out which software I personally use and recommend. Become an affiliate, or discover other trusted resources I have to help you succeed on your business and faith journey.
Check out all my recommended resources
including software, affiliates, and freebies.
Read the latest over on the Stef Gass Blog. Tons
of articles to help you succeed in life and business.
Meet Stefanie and learn more about her life, journey, failures and family. Plus, a glimpse of her amazing team.
Book Stef for in-person or virtual events! She will
inspire and educate your audience with her training.
Find out more about working for Team Stef as
an intern! We open our internship twice a year.
Contact us with questions, concerns,
testimonies, or requests here.
More
I can't wait to help you get clarity on your calling, grow your business, launch a podcast, build a course, or scale and get visible. Check out the Stefanie Gass School. No more frustration or overwhelm. Just a simple, step-by-step framework to get you where you want to grow.
Get clear on your calling in 4 weeks or less so you
can start your online business with confidence.
Apply for my 6-month group coaching program for podcasters! Build your offer, learn to sell, and scale.
Visit the Stefanie Gass School to discover what step
you're on and and learn which course is right for you!
Launch a podcast in less than 30 days! 12 simple
steps to go from idea to successful podcast.
Let's work together!
WORK WITH ME
Clarify Your Calling
Free Workshop
Watch this workshop and get
clear on your calling so you can start
an online business! Hop on this quick,
35 minute free training and map out
your next steps!
Podcast for Growth
Free Workshop
Watch this workshop and learn how
podcasting works to make money online! Find out why podcasting is the best long-form content outlet and how it can drive more leads than social media.
Leave Comment or Question Below