Battle the Inner Critic and Self-Sabotage: Discerning God’s Voice over Your Anxiety
How to Discern God's Voice Over Your Inner Critic and Self Sabotaging Anxiety
Scripture Focus: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." — John 10:27
Why Faith Matters In Coping with Anxiety and Self-Doubt
If you've ever struggled to hear God through the noise of anxiety and self-doubt, you’re not alone. Many Christians wonder: Is this God speaking, or just my fears? Our minds, shaped by past wounds, can confuse the voice of our inner critic with the voice of God.
John Eldredge puts it this way: “God’s voice is one of invitation, not condemnation.” This means that any thought leading to shame, fear, or hopelessness is not from God. Understanding this is crucial to healing attachment wounds and deepening your relationship with Him.
The Difference Between God's Voice & Anxiety
🔹 God's voice convicts with love. Anxiety shames and rushes.
🔹 The inner critic condemns. God corrects but reassures.
🔹 God's voice aligns with peace. Fear thrives on confusion.
When we grow up in environments where love felt conditional or unpredictable, we may project those experiences onto God. Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy teaches that our inner critic often stems from wounded parts of ourselves that learned to protect us from rejection or failure. But God is not like those who failed us. His love is secure.
3 Practical Tools for Discerning God's Voice
1. The "Fruit of the Spirit" Test (DBT Thought-Checking)
Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that God’s presence produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If a thought brings panic, fear, or self-hatred, it’s likely not from God.
🛠 Practice: When a thought feels overwhelming, write it down and ask:
✔️ Does this thought align with God’s character?
✔️ Would a loving Father speak to His child this way?
✔️ Is this voice building me up or tearing me down?
2. Get Curious: Is This Fear or Faith? (IFS Approach)
Mark Virkler teaches that hearing God is like tuning into a radio station—it requires stillness and intention. IFS therapy suggests that fear-based voices often come from younger, wounded parts trying to protect us from pain. But God speaks from truth, not trauma.
🛠 Practice: When you feel stuck, ask:
✨ Is this thought from a fearful part of me or from God’s truth?
✨ Am I responding out of fear or faith?
✨ What would a compassionate, faith-filled response look like?
3. Self-Compassion is Key
Elisabeth Elliot once said, “Don’t dig up in doubt what you planted in faith.” Doubt will come, but God’s truth remains unchanged.
When we learn to extend self-compassion, we align with the way God already sees us. Instead of believing the harsh, perfectionistic voice of the critic, we can replace it with God’s grace.
🛠 Practice: When self-doubt creeps in, pause and pray:
🙏 “Lord, help me hear Your voice of love over the noise of fear. Let me trust in Your truth. Amen.”
Ready to Hear God More Clearly?
You don’t have to navigate this alone. If you’re struggling with discerning God’s voice over anxiety and self-doubt, let’s talk.
📩 CLICK the CONTACT button to get a free journaling guide on this topic.
💙 Book a counseling session today and learn to trust God's voice in your healing journey.
Final Thought: God is always speaking. The question is: Are we listening? 💙
