God, Are You There? Learning to Hear God’s Voice in Everyday Life

“Doc… you’re a family physician, a lifestyle physician, an obesity physician. Why are we talking about God?”

Because if we’re going to talk about living long and well—spirit, soul, and body—then we have to talk about the One who created life in the first place.

Why This Conversation Matters (And Why I Couldn’t Avoid It)

I’ll be honest with you. One day I was live, talking about health tips and lifestyle strategies, and I felt the Holy Spirit press something on my heart.

And yes—when I say Holy Spirit, I mean God speaking.

It was like this:
“You keep telling people how to live long and well… but you don’t tell them about Me much.”

And I remember thinking, Lord, I am literally live right now… can we not do this in front of everyone?

But it was clear:
God reminded me that He is not a side note. He is not optional. He is not a “bonus topic.”

He said, “I’m the one who satisfies with long life.” (Psalm 91:16)

That hit me.

Because if God is the ultimate source of quality and quantity of life, then it would be incomplete—actually irresponsible—for me to talk about wellness without talking about Him.

So here we are.

Because living long and well isn’t just about what you eat, how you sleep, or how you move.
It’s also about hearing God’s voice, discerning His will, recognizing His timing, and learning to obey.

It doesn’t mean life will always be easy.
But I truly believe it is the best route to take.

Have You Ever Wondered If God Actually Speaks?

Let’s start here.

How many of you have ever wondered:
“Does God really speak?”

If you’ve ever wondered that, type YES.

Because I want to say this loud enough for the people in the back:

God speaks. And He wants to speak to you.

God Is Not Silent, Distant, or Uninterested

God’s plan has always been partnership.

He made humans—men and women—in His image. That means we were designed for relationship. Designed for communication. Designed to hear.

We are meant to be extenders of God on earth—people who carry His will from heaven into everyday life.

So it would be strange for God to walk with you and never talk to you.

He’s a speaking God.

But here’s the thing: He’s also a gentleman.

Sometimes we assume if God speaks, it must be loud—like thunder, like a booming voice, like something dramatic.

But Scripture tells us otherwise.

When Elijah was overwhelmed, threatened, and depressed, there were loud signs around him—storms, thunder, noise.

But God wasn’t in the noise.

God spoke in a still, small voice.

So sometimes we miss God because we’re looking for volume…
when we should be looking for relationship.

You recognize a voice by closeness, not by loudness.

The Desire to Hear God Is a Gift

That longing you feel for “something bigger”… that pull toward meaning… that question that keeps coming back:

“Is there more to life than this?”

That desire isn’t random.

God places that longing in people. It’s a gift.

But the outworking of it—that’s on us.

God nudges.
We respond.

One of the Best Ways to Hear God: Read His Word

I want to encourage you to do something very practical:

Read the Bible.

Not like a homework assignment. Not like a “religious duty.”
But like you’re getting to know someone.

Because that’s what it is: a record of real encounters.

You learn someone’s voice by exposure. Familiarity. Consistency.

Think about it: people read biographies of leaders they admire. They listen to podcasts. They study interviews.

Why? Because they want to understand how that person thinks.

In the same way, when you read the Bible, you begin to understand what God is like, how He speaks, what He values, how He corrects, how He comforts, how He leads.

And yes—some of the stories come from an ancient culture with different customs. There was farming, agriculture, inheritance rules, social structures that look strange to us now.

But the lessons still apply.

For example, the story of the daughters of Zelophehad—five sisters who dared to ask for an inheritance when women typically weren’t included in those decisions.

They asked Moses. Moses asked God.

And God said, in essence: “That makes sense.”

God honored their request. God showed His wisdom. His fairness. His ability to speak into systems.

When you read Scripture like that, you’re not just collecting verses—you’re learning God’s nature.

Those “Nudges” You Feel? That Might Be God

Let me make this plain:

Have you ever been about to react in anger—and something in you said, “Hold your peace”?

Have you ever been about to do something you knew wasn’t right—and there was a warning inside you?

Have you ever felt hesitation when you were about to walk into trouble?

That’s not the devil trying to make you behave.

That’s God.

Sometimes it’s a red light.
Sometimes it’s a green light.
Sometimes it’s a quiet pause.

But that inner nudge—especially when it pulls you toward peace, restraint, wisdom, love, or integrity—is often the voice of God.

And the more you learn His Word, the more you recognize His tone.

How to Grow in Hearing God’s Voice

Here are some simple practices from today’s conversation:

1) Expect to hear from God

Desire matters. Hunger matters.
When you expect, you position yourself to receive.

2) Make space for quiet

Stillness can feel awkward at first. But God often whispers.

3) Schedule time with God

Plan it. Protect it.
Bring your Bible. Bring a notebook. Sit and listen.

4) Read slowly, not just to finish

Don’t rush. Don’t skim.
Read like you’re listening for what God wants you to notice.

5) Be honest with God

Don’t front. Don’t perform.

If you have questions, bring them.

I’ve asked God hard questions like:
“How can a good God allow so much evil?”

And I felt Him respond with sobering clarity:
“If I removed all evil, I would have to remove you too—because even a ‘small’ sin is still sin before a holy God.”

That humbled me. And it reminded me that God can handle your honesty.

He reads your heart more than your mouth.

When God Spoke to Me (And It Wasn’t What I Expected)

I remember sitting quietly once, trying to hear from God.

I wanted something dramatic.
Something like: “Your loans are gone.”
Or “Everyone will be nice to you forever.”

But what I sensed God say was simple:

“Act like you know I’m with you.”

And that has stayed with me.

Because if I really believed God was with me…

How would I respond when life feels hard?
How would I behave when someone tries to provoke me?
What battles would I stop fighting?
What anxieties would dissolve?
What would I finally surrender?

God didn’t promise no challenges.

He promised presence.

“I will be with you through the fire… through the water… I will be with you.”

That changes how you show up.

God’s Voice Helps With More Than “Spiritual Stuff”

This matters too: God’s guidance isn’t only for “church moments.”

God can help you with:

discipline
portion control
exercise
anxiety
decisions at work
how to respond to a difficult person
where to focus your energy
when to say yes
when to say no

I’ve asked God for help at work—quietly, in real time:
“Lord, show me what matters most with this person in front of me. Help me focus. Help me see.”

And I’ve seen Him give clarity.

When we hear God, He helps us live long and well—spirit, soul, and body.

Not perfect.
But lighter.

Not trouble-free.
But supported.

A Prayer for Everyone Reading

Let’s pray.

Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for everyone listening now—live and replay.

I ask for grace to tune in and recognize Your voice—the voice that brings peace, power, purpose, correction, and comfort.

Let Your people hear You clearly.
Let them not confuse Your voice with fear, distraction, condemnation, or the enemy’s lies.

Give us grace to practice Your presence.
Grace to slow down.
Grace to listen.
Grace to obey.

For anyone who feels like they’ve messed up too much—Lord, reassure them that You are still near. You never left.

Minister to those who are sick—heal them spirit, soul, and body.

And use us as extensions of Your love and grace everywhere we go.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Thank you for choosing to read this. I know you have things to do, and you could have been anywhere.

Here’s my ask:

Re-listen
Take notes
Pick one or two things you will start doing today
And please share this with someone who has been wondering: “God… are you there?”

He is.

And He speaks.

God bless you, and I’ll see you next time.