017 God Speaks: Hinderences to Hearing God part 4

Hindrances to Hearing God’s Voice: Overcoming Self-Doubt

One of the most challenging barriers to hearing God’s voice is self-doubt. For many of us, it’s not that we question God’s ability to speak—it’s that we question His willingness to speak to us. Self-doubt convinces us that we’re too insignificant, unimportant, or unworthy to warrant God’s attention.

But that’s a lie.

Wrestling with Self-Doubt

I’ve been there. For a long time, I believed that God only spoke to the spiritual “elite.” I’d read stories of how He spoke to the patriarchs—Abraham, Moses, David—and thought, Of course, God would speak to them. They’re pillars of faith, critical to His plan.

And even in modern times, I’d hear about people like Billy Graham or other well-known spiritual leaders hearing God’s voice, and it made sense. They’re doing great things for the kingdom of God. But me? I wasn’t a patriarch or a preacher to the masses. I was just…me.

Why would God even know where I lived, let alone speak to me?

The Truth About God’s Capacity

What I’ve come to realize is that self-doubt doesn’t hold up against the reality of who God is. God’s capacity to listen and speak isn’t like ours. While we can only hold one meaningful conversation at a time, God isn’t limited by human constraints. He can have a personal, intimate relationship with you while also engaging with billions of others without missing a beat.

The God who created the universe is fully capable of speaking to you, not as a distant deity, but as a loving Father. It’s not about your importance—it’s about His character.

God Speaks to the "Nobodies"

One of the turning points in my journey came as I studied the Bible and realized just how often God spoke to people who seemed insignificant by the world’s standards. He didn’t just speak to kings and prophets. He spoke to:

• Nameless Servants: God guided Abraham’s servant as he sought a wife for Isaac (Genesis 24).

• Handmaids and Outsiders: God spoke directly to Hagar, an Egyptian servant, and comforted her in the wilderness (Genesis 16).

• Pagans and Outsiders: He gave dreams to Nebuchadnezzar and Pharaoh.

• The Unnamed 72: Jesus sent out 72 disciples with authority to cast out demons and heal the sick (Luke 10:1-20).

Over and over, the Bible shows us that God isn’t reserved in His communication. He speaks to people of every status, background, and level of importance.

If God spoke to them, why not you?

Overcoming the Lies

The lie of self-doubt tells us we’re not enough. It whispers that God has better things to do or more important people to talk to. But the truth is this: You matter to God.

• Psalm 139 reminds us that God knows everything about us—when we sit, when we rise, and even the words on our tongues before we speak them.
• Jesus taught that God cares for even the sparrows and knows the number of hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:29-31).

If God is attentive to the smallest details of creation, how much more is He attentive to you?

You Matter to God

One of the most beautiful truths of the gospel is that God values each of us. He doesn’t measure our worth by our achievements or our roles. He loves us simply because we are His children.

God isn’t waiting for you to become a patriarch, a prophet, or a preacher before He speaks to you. He’s waiting for you to believe that you’re worth speaking to.

Moving Forward

If self-doubt has been keeping you from hearing God’s voice, here are some steps to help you move past it:

Meditate on God’s Love for You
Spend time in Scripture, soaking in verses that affirm your worth to God. Start with passages like Psalm 139, Jeremiah 29:11, and Ephesians 2:10.

Remind Yourself of Biblical Examples
Reflect on the people God spoke to in the Bible who seemed insignificant by human standards. Let their stories encourage you.

Silence the Lies
When thoughts of self-doubt creep in, combat them with truth. Say out loud, “I am God’s child. He loves me, and He wants to speak to me.”

Ask God to Speak
Approach God in prayer with humility and expectancy. Say, “Lord, I want to hear Your voice. Help me to trust that You want to speak to me.”

Be Patient
Hearing God’s voice is a journey. It may not come as a booming voice from heaven, but as a gentle nudge, a Scripture that resonates deeply, or a moment of peace. Stay open to however He chooses to communicate.

Final Encouragement

You are not insignificant to God. You are His beloved child, crafted with care and deeply known. No matter how small or unworthy you feel, God desires to speak to you.

So let go of the self-doubt. Open your heart to the truth of who God is—and who you are in Him. And as you do, listen for His voice. It’s there, waiting to remind you just how much you matter.