How do we know when God is speaking—especially when we’re facing big decisions? If you’ve ever asked, “God, is that really You?”—this episode will encourage you to slow down, listen closely, and trust that God still speaks because He deeply loves His children. In this heartfelt and Scripture-rich episode of The Joy Stories, Jessica walks listeners through how to recognize, discern, and respond to the voice of God amid the noise of our thoughts, culture, and spiritual opposition. Jessica also includes biblical teaching, practical steps, and her own deeply personal story of how God clearly called Jessica into speaking and podcasting, even when fear, doubt, and spiritual warfare tried to stop her. She also shares how God speaks and how discernment grows through prayer, Scripture, obedience, patience, and community. Website: https://www.thejoystories.com Instagram: @thejoystories 10 Practical Steps For Discerning God’s Voice Pray First Ask God for wisdom and clarity. Prayer is relationship, not performance. Immerse Yourself in Scripture God’s voice will never contradict His Word. Scripture trains us to recognize truth.Listen Expectantly Silence and stillness are part of prayer. God often speaks in whispers, not noise.Discern Through Biblical Testing Ask:Does this bring peace or confusion?Does it align with Scripture?Does it lead toward godliness or sin?Rely on the Holy Spirit The Spirit guides, convicts, comforts, and directs—always in harmony with God’s Word.Surrender Personal Preference Discernment requires humility—seeking God’s will over what we want.Examine the Fruit God’s voice produces love, peace, humility, and faithfulness—not fear or confusion.Seek Godly Counsel & Community Like Samuel needed Eli, we often need wise, Spirit-led guidance.Practice Patience Discernment matures over time. Waiting is often part of God’s process.Learn to Truly Listen Remove distractions. Create margin. God speaks most clearly when we are still.SCRIPTURE: James 1:5 "Ask God for wisdom, and He will give it generously" John 10:8 & 27 “Others may speak, but the sheep do not listen to them. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 14:16 “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.” Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active" Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not lean on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” 1 Samuel 3:10“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” Ezekiel 3:10 “Take into your heart all My words… and listen closely.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 “In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me” Psalm 139:17“How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!" 1 John 5:14 “And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him. And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for.” Song link: "You Can't Stop This" by Alex Warren: https://open.spotify.com/track/15ugBBMTmevxMc2WSbRULC?si=4d82c188120d407e
