Is That You, God?
Daily Devotional — Sunday, November 1, 2026
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” — Colossians 3:15, NKJV
Heart Change Insight
Sometimes a decision begins to feel almost settled before we have really tested it. We have been praying about an opportunity. A door opens. Someone we respect says something encouraging. The timing seems to work. Maybe we even feel a sense of peace when we imagine moving forward.
Everything seems to be lining up, and we begin to wonder, Is that You, God? That is a good question. The problem comes when we stop asking it honestly and start collecting evidence for an answer we have already chosen.
Is That You, God?
Learning to hear God includes learning to judge what we believe we have heard. A strong impression is not enough. Being excited is not enough. Feeling convinced is not enough. Even spiritual peace, as important as it is, should not become a stand-alone test that automatically settles every decision.
Colossians 3:15 tells us to let the peace of God rule in our hearts. That word gives us the picture of an umpire making a call. As we walk with God consistently, we become more familiar with His spiritual peace. We begin to recognize the difference between being settled in His presence and simply feeling relieved because a decision gives us what we wanted.
That kind of discernment grows through relationship. If we rarely pay attention to spiritual communion with God, it is difficult to suddenly use peace as an infallible decision-making tool when the stakes are high. Spiritual peace becomes more recognizable as we learn the presence of God in ordinary life.
Even then, peace is not meant to stand alone.
Let What You Heard Be Tested
Scripture remains the governing standard. A personal impression does not become God’s Word simply because we feel strongly about it. Whatever we believe God is saying must remain submitted to what He has already revealed, and it should also be consistent with His revealed character. What we believe we have heard needs to be tested, not protected from examination because we want it to be true.
We also need people who can help us see what we may be missing. Trustworthy counsel comes from people who know us well, seek God themselves, and are willing to tell us the truth rather than simply affirm the answer we want. If every person we trust is raising the same concern, humility should at least make us stop and reevaluate. That is very different from asking people for advice until someone finally agrees with us.
Circumstances can help too, but they are easy to misuse. An open door is not automatic confirmation. A closed door is not automatic rejection. Sometimes a door opens that we should not walk through. Sometimes an obstacle is something we are supposed to persevere through rather than interpret as God saying no. Circumstances are most helpful when they confirm what has already been tested through Scripture, spiritual communion, peace, and wise counsel.
This is why discernment is more than looking for signs. We are not asking God to arrange enough evidence around our preference so we can feel certain. We are trying to remain surrendered enough to receive whatever His direction actually is. Sometimes the answer may be yes. Sometimes it may be no. Sometimes the direction itself may be right while the timing is not.
Sometimes God’s answer is simply not yet.
That can be difficult when we want certainty and movement, but waiting can be an act of obedience when we do not yet have enough clarity to move faithfully.
When we ask, Is That You, God?, we don't need to become suspicious of every impression or afraid to make decisions. We can test what we believe we are receiving without becoming paralyzed. We use Scripture, remain attentive to spiritual peace, invite honest counsel, watch circumstances without letting them lead us, and stay willing to be corrected.
The goal is not to build an airtight case for the decision we already want. The goal is to stay close enough to God that we are willing to follow whether His answer is yes, no, or not yet.
Reflection
Is there a decision or direction you already feel strongly about?
What has been shaping your confidence: Scripture, spiritual peace, trustworthy counsel, circumstances, or simply how much you want the outcome?
Are you still willing for God to say yes, no, or not yet?
Prayer
Father, teach me to hear Your voice without treating every strong impression as Your direction. Help me remain submitted to Your Word and attentive to the peace that grows from walking closely with You. Give me humility to receive honest counsel and wisdom to recognize circumstances without allowing them to lead me. Keep me willing to be corrected, redirected, or asked to wait when Your timing is different from mine. I want to partner with You rather than build a case for what I have already decided. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Today's Step of Obedience
Choose one decision you have been asking God about.
Instead of looking for one more sign, ask:
Does this agree with Scripture and God’s revealed character? What is happening in my spirit as I consider it? What are trustworthy people who know me well seeing?Am I treating circumstances as confirmation, or allowing them to make the decision for me?
Then ask yourself one final question:
Am I genuinely willing for God’s answer to be yes, no, or not yet?
Grow Deeper
WATCH
Developing Discernment
Foundations for Heart Change
Explore how we test spiritual impressions through Scripture, God’s character, trustworthy accountability, personal patterns, and God’s timing rather than relying on conviction alone.
READ
Journey of Discovery
Knowing the Voice of God
Chapter 7, “Judging the Voice,” goes deeper into testing what we believe we have heard through Scripture, spiritual witness, trustworthy accountability, and life circumstances.
Also available as an eBook.
LISTEN
Audiobook, chapter 12
Releasing God's Life Through the Hearts of Men
Continue the primary teaching on spiritual peace as an umpire, receiving additional help through trusted counsel, and allowing circumstances to confirm rather than dictate direction.
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