“Imagine a big, deep blue swimming pool. It’s mid-August. Hot. You’re sweating. As you step toward the edge, you spot a bright yellow ducky float bobbing lazily in the water, calling you in. You can practically feel the cool splash as you dive into the water.”

Now pause—whose thought was that?

Most people answer, “Mine.” After all, you just imagined it. You felt it. You were there.

But it wasn’t your thought. 

It was mine—Addison’s.

I placed the picture in your mind. You just followed it.

Here’s the truth that sneaks up on you:
Not every thought you think is yours.

So then…
Whose voice are you actually listening to?

There are generally three types of voices that generate thoughts in our minds:

Logical. Familiar. Often neutral. It helps you process, weigh, and decide.

 Accusing. Shame-filled. Harsh. It often speaks in second-person lies:

“You’re a failure.”
“You’ll never get it right.”
“God’s probably done with you.”

Peaceful. Grounded. Loving. Sometimes playful.
It can sound like your own voice—
but with more wisdom, peace, or clarity than you had a second ago.

For example:

That’s what it can sound like.

Not always dramatic. Not overly formal.
Sometimes it’s just… conversational.

And here’s what I want you to hear:

You were made to hear Him.

If you’ve never experienced hearing God personally or clearly, let me gently offer this:

It might not be because He’s silent.

It might be because something inside you believes you’re not supposed to hear Him that way.

Maybe you were taught hearing God’s voice is too dangerous, too strange, or too rare.
Maybe you quietly believe you’re not worthy, spiritual enough, or gifted in that way.

But the truth is:

He’s already speaking.
And you already have everything you need to listen.

If that barrier of “God doesn’t talk to people like me” feels familiar, I unpack why you are worthy to hear His voice more here —a look at how that lie of unworthiness can blind us to the voice we were born again to recognize.

Scripture gives us a before-and-after picture that changes everything:

In the Old Testament, God’s voice was rare and reserved for few.
After Jesus though?

“My sheep hear My voice.” — John 10:27
“The Spirit lives in you.” — John 14:17
“You’re no longer a servant but a son.” — Galatians 4:7

You don’t need a prophet.
You don’t need to wait for a sign.
You need to recognize that you’re family now.

You and the Holy Spirit are one (1 Cor. 6:17).

Here’s the strange, beautiful truth:

He often sounds like you.

Your spirit and the Holy Spirit are united.
He’s not shouting from heaven.
He’s already inside you, speaking from within.

(If the idea of ‘your spirit’ is new for you, I unpack it more in my “We Are Three” writeup here for context)

You might hear Him through:

The more you pay attention, the more patterns you’ll start to notice.

Want to begin building confidence? Start here:

1. Ask Direct Questions.
Seriously. Try “God, how do You feel about me today?” or “What’s something You want me to know?”

2. Be Still.
Don’t rush past the pause. Quiet your body and thoughts—even for 30 seconds. Too much noise or random thoughts? Breathe and label types of thoughts as they come, then let them pass.

3. Write Down What You Hear.
Even if it feels like your own thoughts. Practice builds pattern recognition.

4. Compare It to Scripture and God’s Character.
He won’t contradict Himself. His voice always aligns with His Word and nature.

5. Practice Obedience in Small Ways.
Act on what you hear—even if it’s something simple like encouraging a friend or shifting your plans slightly.

As you practice, you’ll start to notice:

A sense of familiarity.
A subtle shift in tone.
An inner nudge that feels both true and tender.

You’ll remember…

And when you do?

Don’t be surprised.
Don’t second-guess it.
You were made to hear Him.

You always have been.

Until next time,
Addison