What if the reason you struggle to hear God isn’t because He’s not speaking—but because part of you doesn’t feel safe enough to listen?

In this conversation, Christian counselor Stefanie Hinman explains how our nervous system, attachment wounds, trauma, shame, and past relationships can affect the way we experience God.

Sometimes we can believe in our heads that Jesus is loving and safe while our bodies respond as though connection is dangerous. Stefanie describes how learning to quiet, regulate, and experience safety can create space for a deeper connection with Jesus.

We also talk about why people often withdraw when they’re hurting, how to support someone without trying to fix them, and why simply being seen and known can be deeply healing.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• Why fight, flight, or freeze can make connection with God difficult
• The difference between knowing God is safe and actually feeling safe with Him
• How childhood and attachment wounds can shape your picture of Jesus
• Why regulation can sometimes come before deeper emotional or spiritual processing
• What to do when you pray or listen and feel like you “got nothing”
• How to respond to someone’s pain without minimizing or fixing it
• How to notice the things that cause you to withdraw from God—and reconnect

Stefanie describes flourishing as becoming aware of what draws us toward connection and what causes us to withdraw, especially patterns rooted in fear, shame, lack, or striving.

Learn more about Stefanie and her resources:
https://bounceproject.org

Want to learn how to hear God more clearly?
Join the free Hearing God Challenge:
https://hearinggodchallenge.com

Chapters

00:00 Why hearing God can feel difficult
03:10 Learning to experience Jesus as safe
08:24 Trauma, attachment, and the need for safety
16:45 How your nervous system affects hearing God
22:59 Stop trying to fix people who are hurting
34:09 What to do when you hear “nothing” from God
40:48 Striving, withdrawal, and learning to flourish

What if one of the biggest mistakes we make in following God is asking Him to bless the direction we’ve already chosen?In this conversation, I sit down with Rachael Groll, author, pastor, speaker, and host of the Hearing Jesus Podcast, to talk about what it actually looks like to let God lead.Rachael shares why following God sometimes means stepping into the water before you know how He’s going to make a way, why God may use a completely different strategy than He has in the past, and why surrendering our expectations is so important if we want to hear Him clearly.We also talk about the role Scripture plays in discerning God’s voice, how our view of God affects the way we read the Bible, and one of Rachael’s favorite approaches to prayer: “I never say amen.” Instead of treating prayer like something that starts and stops, she tries to live in an ongoing conversation with God and gives Him permission to interrupt her plans.If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I actually following God—or am I just asking Him to follow me?” this conversation is for you.Rachael’s work is focused on helping people understand Scripture and hear God more clearly through biblical teaching, Bible studies, and the Hearing Jesus Podcast.👉 Learn more about Rachael: rachaelgroll.com👉 Listen to the Hearing Jesus Podcast through Rachael’s website👉 Join the FREE Hearing God Challenge: hearinggodchallenge.comCHAPTERS00:00 Are You Asking God to Bless Your Plans?04:14 When God Changes the Strategy14:34 The Biggest Mistake in Trying to Hear God18:13 Reading the Bible vs. Actually Studying It25:53 How to Trust God When You Don’t Understand31:10 “I Never Say Amen” — Hearing God Throughout the Day39:00 Casting Your Crowns & Surrendering the OutcomeIf this conversation helps you, subscribe for more conversations and practical experiences designed to help you hear God, deepen your friendship with Jesus, and live from connection instead of fear.

What if the reason you’re struggling to hear God isn’t that He isn’t speaking—but that you’re listening through the wrong picture of Him?Many of us grew up believing that if God speaks, He’ll probably ask us to do something difficult, uncomfortable, or something we don’t want to do. But what if God actually enjoys being with you? What if some of His invitations sound more like, “Come rest,” “Slow down,” “Go play,” or even, “Let’s do this together”?In this conversation, I sit down with Christian speaker and spiritual director Kari Bartkus to explore what it looks like to hear God in ordinary life.We talk about:• Why hearing God doesn’t have to look the same for everyone• Finding the ways you naturally connect with God• Silence, journaling, nature, music, baking, and everyday life with Jesus• Why God may be inviting you to slow down instead of accomplish more• How fear can distort the way we interpret God’s voice• What it means to believe that God genuinely delights in being with you• A simple journaling question you can use to begin hearing God todayIf you’ve been trying harder and harder to hear God, this conversation may invite you to try something different: stop striving for the perfect spiritual experience and start noticing the God who is already with you.🔥 TAKE THE FREE HEARING GOD CHALLENGELearn simple, practical ways to recognize God’s voice and deepen your relationship with Him:https://hearinggodchallenge.com/🌿 CONNECT WITH KARI BARTKUSKari helps women encounter God through Scripture, reflective journaling, and gentle spiritual practices.https://karibartkus.com/🎧 You can also find Kari’s Journal Gently podcast and her other resources through her website.CHAPTERS00:00 The Picture of God That Makes Hearing Him Harder01:51 Kari’s Journey Into Spiritual Direction08:00 Helping People Connect With God10:12 Finding Your Natural Way of Hearing God13:10 Silence, Solitude & Listening Prayer18:59 Being Present With People Who Are Hurting26:10 God’s Invitation to Be Present30:41 What If God Actually Enjoys Being With You?36:06 God Delights in Spending Time With You40:30 A Simple Journaling Prompt for Hearing GodOne question to take with you today:“God, what do You want me to know today?”You may be surprised by where His answer finds you.