Episode 19

19 | How to Become Closer to God While You Wait to Hear His Voice

Published on: 1st July, 2025

Feeling a little lost in the silence when you're trying to hear God’s voice?

You’re definitely not alone! If you’ve been praying but feel like God is silent, this episode is for you. I walk you through three meaningful, simple ways to grow your relationship with God—even when you feel stuck in the quiet.

He hasn’t left you. He’s inviting you closer.

Grab your notebook, get cozy, and let’s navigate this journey together!


I pray that this episode blesses and encourages you!


Michelle


Next Steps:

  1. Join the Facebook community — Here
  2. Subscribe to the weekly The Inner Flame Here
  3. Take "What is my God-Given purpose: Where to Begin?" quiz — Here
  4. Book a 1:1 Discernment Coaching Session Here

✨ Email: hello@michellebrannam.com

✨ Website: https://MichelleBrannam.com


Listen to Related Episodes:

07 | What Do You Seek? A Conversation with Jesus About Your Purpose

02 | Quiet Moments with God: Simple Steps to Hear His Voice

Transcript
Speaker A:

This ties back to dating your husband analogy.

Speaker A:

You wanted to get to know him when you were starting to date.

Speaker A:

You wanted to know everything about him as much as you possibly could.

Speaker A:

You feel like you're praying, but all you hear is silence.

Speaker A:

Maybe you're wondering why God isn't answering.

Speaker B:

Or if you're doing something wrong.

Speaker A:

What if the silence is actually an invitation to draw closer, go deeper and be still long enough to hear his whisper?

Speaker A:

In this episode, I'm sharing how I personally grew closer to God during a season of waiting and how you can too, if you long for a deeper connection.

Speaker A:

This is your invitation to step into that relationship.

Speaker A:

You'll walk away with three clear, simple steps to grow your relationship with God While you wait to hear his voice.

Speaker A:

Grab your notebook and pen and let's dive in.

Speaker B:

Are you ready to break free from feeling stuck, gain clarity and take intentional steps towards discovering your unique purpose, all while following God's guidance to become the person that he created you to be?

Speaker A:

If so, you are in the right place.

Speaker B:

Hi, I'm Michelle, a mom, wife, Catholic.

Speaker A:

Discernment mentor and spiritual coach.

Speaker B:

I've been where you are, feeling lost and uncertain about my purpose.

Speaker A:

But through a Catholic based strategy of.

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Discernment, I found clarity, confidently embraced my calling, and learned to hear God's voice in my life.

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And now I want to help you do the same.

Speaker B:

Grab your pen, get your notebook and get comfy.

Speaker B:

Open your heart and mind and invite God in.

Speaker B:

It's time to ignite your purpose and start living the life God created you for.

Speaker A:

Let's do this.

Speaker A:

When you're longing to hear God's voice, but all you get is silence, it can feel discouraging and even challenging.

Speaker A:

I felt this way when I was seeking my purpose.

Speaker A:

I was journaling, reflecting, trying to pull together those clues that he had placed in me.

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And I just wanted to know was I on the right path?

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I wanted to hear him, but all I got was stillness.

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And now looking back, I realized that the silence wasn't distant, it was an invitation.

Speaker A:

God was actually drawing me closer, not just to his answers, but to Him.

Speaker A:

So you're feeling this nudge and the desire inside you to have a personal relationship is what you ultimately were created for God.

Speaker A:

He desires to have a relationship with you.

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And remember that God is a gentleman and he does not force Himself upon you.

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He quietly waits for you.

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In the waiting is where I personally grew spiritually.

Speaker A:

So if you're feeling stuck, I want to share with you today three ways how that space could actually lead you into a deeper personal relationship with God.

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So the first way to have a deep personal relationship with God is just creating that space for him daily in your life.

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This allows him to actually speak to you and for you to speak to Him.

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And if you think about it, you cannot deepen your relationship with God if you're not spending regular time with Him.

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I want you to give this analogy.

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When you were dating your spouse, you wanted to get to know him, right?

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You wanted to get to know Him.

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And how you did that is by spending time together.

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You were hanging out, you were talking, asking questions, you, you were listening to his responses, and you were doing all these different activities together.

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And this is how you developed and you grew your personal relationship with them and you deepened it.

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So likewise, we want to spend time with God consistently.

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And that consistency is where we will build that connection.

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No relationship deepens without quality time.

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So during your time with God, you can spend it in traditional prayers, which is like the Hail Mary, the Our father Christ grocery, etc.

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And also plain sitting in silence.

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He will speak to you during the silence.

Speaker A:

And I know it's hard with all the distractions out there in this world, but you can even set a time and block it off in your calendar to, you know, simply put in there, sitting in silence with God to help you to create that habit.

Speaker A:

And another thing is just inviting him in into everyday moments, having those conversations with him instead of having those conversations with yourself and your mind.

Speaker A:

I often find myself having conversations with my mind and I have heard this through a priest and never really thought about that.

Speaker A:

But when you're having a conversation with God instead, that is a prayer.

Speaker A:

Again, like I've said before, when you're talking to God, that is a form of prayer.

Speaker A:

And then I want to remind you again that God is a gentleman.

Speaker A:

He waits patiently and he's quietly waiting for you.

Speaker A:

He does not push or he does not force Himself upon you.

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So just take those first steps and initiate that time with Him.

Speaker A:

And then the second way that you can grow your relationship with God is to simply share your heart honestly.

Speaker A:

Because sometimes when we wait to hear God's voice, it may be that we haven't actually fully opened up our own heart to Him.

Speaker A:

And you can do this by simply telling him what is on your heart and on your mind, what's weighing on it.

Speaker A:

Much like you tell someone close to you that confiding, you share with them what is on your heart and what is on your mind.

Speaker A:

So, so you want to share this with God.

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So that he knows what's on your heart and your mind.

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And yes, God knows what's on your heart and mind.

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He knows you very well and he knows what's on your heart and mind.

Speaker A:

But he wants to know, and he wants to hear it from you.

Speaker A:

He wants to hear it honestly, genuinely from your heart and mind.

Speaker A:

We often think that the only way we can actually have these conversations with God is through our thoughts internally or we're verbally speaking them out to Lord.

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But we often overlook a simple tool that is journaling.

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And it's a beautiful way to speak to him raw, real, and unfiltered.

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And that's what I do at times when I really want to open up and see what's within me and really honestly see what's on my heart mind.

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Because you'd be surprised what you see.

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Like I said, he already knows what's on your heart, but he wants to hear it from you.

Speaker A:

Sharing your heart helps you grow closer to him and builds a deeper connection.

Speaker A:

Tell him what you're feeling, you're wondering, or you're struggling with.

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Bring to him your questions, your thoughts, and what you need guidance on.

Speaker A:

If you'd like some guidance to help you to get started, you can listen to episode seven, what do you A conversation with Jesus about your purpose.

Speaker A:

This is a guided conversation that'll help you, and I'll put the link in the show notes.

Speaker A:

And then the third way is just getting to know him through His Word.

Speaker A:

A deeper relationship requires knowing who he is.

Speaker A:

Again, this ties back to dating your husband analogy.

Speaker A:

You wanted to get to know him when you were starting to date.

Speaker A:

You wanted to know everything about him as much as you possibly could.

Speaker A:

So our relationship with God is the same way.

Speaker A:

We wanted to get to know him better.

Speaker A:

And this can be done by reading His Word, reflecting on it, and hearing what he wants to tell you.

Speaker A:

And it's through His Word that He speaks most often.

Speaker A:

And this is where I actually see a lot of his speaking to me.

Speaker A:

And if you'd like guidance and tips for this as well, you can listen to episode two, Quiet Moments with God those simple steps to hear God's voice.

Speaker A:

In this episode, I give you practical tools for starting this habit.

Speaker A:

And then another way to deepen your understanding of both God and yourself through His Word is actually through the Bible studies.

Speaker A:

I've learned a lot, actually, by Catholic Bible studies from trusted priests and Catholic theologians.

Speaker A:

When I was researching what my purpose was and I was wanting to grow closer to Him.

Speaker A:

During this time, I spent numerous hours researching how to find my purpose on the Internet, trying to find credible Catholic resources on the how to quotation.

Speaker A:

I thought I would find it in Bible study, but it did not talk much about it on purpose.

Speaker A:

It didn't give me a blueprint, but it brought me closer to Him.

Speaker A:

I discovered truth, comfort and direction through His Word.

Speaker A:

And what surprised me was I actually discovered that I enjoyed those Bible studies in my daily routine.

Speaker A:

So through those Bible studies, I learned more about myself and about God.

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I learned about his truth.

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And they just came part of my morning mindset routine.

Speaker A:

To recap on the three things you were created for a relationship with God.

Speaker A:

You grow that relationship by showing up daily, sharing your heart, and you're inviting him into your life.

Speaker A:

The silence may not be the absence of God.

Speaker A:

It may be the space where he's inviting you to know him more deeply, to grow your relationship.

Speaker A:

And the three ways that you can develop this deep personal relationship with God.

Speaker A:

To get you started is creating space for him daily in your life, sharing what's on your heart and mind honestly, and getting to know him through His Word.

Speaker A:

Let us pray in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

Speaker A:

Amen.

Speaker A:

Lord, I thank you for your presence even when I can't feel it.

Speaker A:

For the woman listening to this who longs to hear you, remind her that you are near.

Speaker A:

Teach her to rest in your waiting, to create space for you and to find peace in simply being with you, stir in her heart a deeper desire to know you, to seek you and to trust you, that you are always at work, even in the silence.

Speaker A:

In Jesus name, Amen.

Speaker A:

In the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

Speaker A:

Amen.

Speaker A:

Okay, that knowledge is power, but true change happens when we pair it with consistent daily action.

Speaker A:

We cannot gain clarity if we're not taking daily action to help us move forward.

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You can start today by picking one area that we've talked about today that you feel God is calling you to.

Speaker A:

Is it creating space for him daily?

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Is it opening up and sharing your heart?

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Or is it spending time in His Word to get to know him better?

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Come share Inside the Facebook community Finding your purpose, discernment and strategy for Catholic Moms what area do you feel that God is inviting you to grow closer to Him?

Speaker A:

Let's continue this conversation over there.

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I'd love to hear what God is stirring in your heart.

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And remember, my beautiful sister in Christ, that God uniquely created you for a unique purpose.

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You were made to do great things.

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God is within you and you will not fail.

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Go out and ignite your purpose.

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God's not done writing your story.

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I look forward to continuing this journey with you.

Speaker A:

I'll meet you next Tuesday for another conversation.

Speaker A:

Until then, may God bless you.

Speaker B:

Thank you so much for joining me today.

Speaker B:

I pray that today's episode blesses and encourages you.

Speaker B:

If so, would you please share it with someone you know that would be blessed by it?

Speaker B:

If you felt inspired or you learned something Today, please take 30 seconds to leave a written review on Apple Podcasts.

Speaker B:

This is the number one way to let me know that you are liking the show and and for me to reach other Catholic women like yourself.

Speaker B:

If you're feeling uncertain or you're lost on your discernment journey, you're not alone.

Speaker B:

Join us over in the free Facebook community finding your purpose, discernment and strategy for Catholic moms where Catholic women just like you are sharing, supporting and growing together in faith.

Speaker B:

I look forward to continuing this journey with you.

Speaker B:

I'll meet you next Tuesday for another conversation.

Speaker B:

God bless you.

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About the Podcast

Living Her Purpose with God | Discernment, Devotions, Bible Study, Trust in God, Catholic Devotion
Hear God to Discern His Will for Catholic Moms
**Top 2% Globally Ranked Podcast**

The GO-TO Podcast for Catholic Moms Ready to Go from Confused to Clarity in Discerning God’s Will



Do you want to follow God’s will — but don’t trust that you’re hearing Him clearly?

Are you praying for direction, yet still stuck overthinking every option and afraid of choosing the wrong thing?

Have you felt called to something more, yet overwhelmed by motherhood and unsure how to discern God’s next step?

Do you long to hear God and take faithful steps forward — but feel like you don’t have the time, space, or clarity to do it as a busy Catholic mom?

I’m so glad you’re here.

This podcast will help you learn how to hear God and discern His will — even when you feel overwhelmed or short on time.

Each week, you’ll discover simple, faith-based guidance to help you create space for God, gain clarity, and take faithful steps forward in your daily life so you can live the purpose God is inviting you to.

Hello, I’m Michelle — a wife, mom, and cradle Catholic.

On the outside, I was doing everything I was “supposed” to do — school, marriage, kids — and life looked fine. But on the inside, I felt uncertain, overwhelmed, and quietly wondering, Is this all there is? What is God really calling me to do?

I asked question after question about my purpose. I prayed, journaled, researched, and tried to figure it out on my own — yet I still felt stuck. Searching online “What is my purpose?” only left me more overwhelmed and confused.

Everything began to shift when, through mindset work and prayer, I started turning to God with that question instead of trying to solve it myself. I sensed He had created me for something specific. Through prayer and Catholic teaching, I learned how to slow down, listen, and discern God’s guidance.

That journey led me to a simple, faith-based, step-by-step way of discerning God’s will — one that brought clarity, peace, and forward movement.
And now, I’m ready to share that journey with you!

If you're a busy Catholic mom tune in:
• For a simple, discernment-based path to hear God,
• To discern His will, and
• To take faithful steps forward without feeling overwhelmed

Whether you’re folding laundry, multitasking, or finally sitting down — let’s do this!


Let's Connect:
• Community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/livingherpurposewithgod/
• Website:
https://MichelleBrannam.com
• Questions or feedback?
Contact me at Hello@michellebrannam.com

Let's Work Together:
• Discernment Coaching Session:
https://michellebrannam.com/coaching


About your host

Profile picture for Michelle Brannam

Michelle Brannam

Like many Catholic moms, I felt the quiet nudge of the Holy Spirit—and the persistent question that followed: What is my purpose?
On the outside, life looked fine. But internally, I felt a deep ache and a longing for clarity.

For me, that question surfaced during pregnancy, while laying on the couch with morning sickness, wrestling with the sense that God had created me for something specific—but I didn’t know what it was or how to discern it.

I wanted answers grounded in the Catholic faith.
Not internet noise.
Not well-meaning but misguided advice.

So I turned to God in prayer and Scripture, opening my heart to Him and asking for direction. One day, while listening to a Fr. Mike Schmitz homily, God answered my prayer. I was overcome with tears as I realized—without a doubt—that I did have a unique purpose God created me for.

But even then, I still didn’t know how to live it out.

I kept praying, journaling, and searching, yet felt confused, overwhelmed, and unsure if I was truly hearing God’s voice. What eventually changed wasn’t that God started speaking louder—it was that I learned how to slow down, ask better questions, and recognize how He was already guiding me.

Now, through my podcast Living Her Purpose with God and my discernment coaching, I help Catholic moms learn how to hear God, discern His will, and take faithful steps forward—without pressure, fear, or spiritual confusion.

If you’ve been praying, seeking, and still feeling unsure, you’re not doing anything wrong.
You were simply never taught how to discern.

And I’d be honored to walk with you as you learn.

Let’s do this!