The 3 Voices in Our Heads: Choosing the Voice of Love

These voices influence our thoughts, emotions, and actions, and not all of them lead us toward inner peace.

With the help of my spiritual mentor, I’ve come to recognize 3 distinct voices:

The Unholy One’s Voice

Our Human Voice

The Voice of Love

Every moment, we have a choice to pause and ask ourselves:

Which voice am I  listening to?

Recognizing which voice has our attention is crucial because it determines whether we live in fear or freedom, shame or grace.

Some voices tear us down, while others guide us toward healing and wholeness. By identifying which voice we are hearing, we can choose to follow the one that leads us to love, truth, and inner peace. 

 The Unholy One’s Voice
(The Inner Critic)

This is the voice of shame, fear, and negativity.

It tells us we’re not good enough, that we’ll fail, that we’re alone.

It thrives on comparison, self-doubt, and harsh judgment.

It wants to keep us small, disconnected, and exhausted.

The Human Voice
(Our Intellectual Mind)

Our intellectual voice isn’t bad but can be confusing.

It helps us reason and make decisions, yet it also overthinks, worries, and complicates things.

It seeks control, trying to figure everything out instead of trusting.

 The Voice of Love
(Our Inner Teacher, God, the Holy Spirit)

The Voice of Love is the calm and reassuring voice.

It speaks with gentleness and truth.

It says, “You are my beloved. I am with you. You are safe. You are enough just as you are.”

This voice doesn’t shout or force itself upon us; it simply invites. When we listen, we find peace, clarity, and deep belonging.

The prophet Elijah encountered this voice in the Old Testament, not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-12).

Likewise, Jesus reassures us in the New Testament, saying, “I am the good shepherd… My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:14, 27).

The Voice of Love guides us with inner wisdom, affirms the truth of who we are, and leads us toward a life of love and authenticity. 

Like a good parent, God wants us to be happy, so he gave us this Inner Voice of Love to lead us on the path to happiness, purpose, and fulfillment.

Which Voice Are You Listening To?

In my book Finding Flow, I share a story about when I desperately wanted to hear God’s voice but didn’t know how.

At the advice of a friend, I prayed, “God, would you teach me how to hear your voice?”

I didn’t get an immediate answer. But two months later, during a week-long retreat, the answer came in a way I never expected.

During the retreat one morning, I was hit with an overwhelming sense that something terrible was going to happen to my wife and children back home.

The fear erupted inside me like a volcano, spewing anxiety. I shut my eyes, put my hand on my gut, and tried to shake it off—but it wouldn’t leave.

I told myself it wasn’t God’s voice, just my mind racing with fear. But the panic persisted.

At that moment, I wasn’t listening to the voice of love. I was listening to the unholy voice—the voice of fear, the voice that torments.
My intellectual mind tried to reason it away, telling me it was just anxiety, just my overactive thoughts. But the fear still consumed me.

 During a coffee break, I called my wife.

No answer.

My fear deepened.

I rushed into the empty church next to the retreat center, fell prostrate on the floor, and begged God not to let anything happen to my family.

“Take me. Take all of me. But don’t take them.” My body shook with tears.

After what felt like hours, I stood up and noticed the crucifix behind the altar.

But in that moment, it wasn’t Jesus I saw on the cross—it was me.

Like Moses at the burning bush, I found myself in a mystical experience of surrender.

And then, deep within my chest, I heard it—a voice as soft as air flowing through a flute.

“I love you. I wouldn’t take them from you. All is well.”

The moment was so tender, so real, that I knew it was God’s voice.

Peace flooded my being. I ran outside, pulled out my phone, and called my wife again. This time, she answered. She and the children were perfectly fine.
That day, I learned something profound: God’s voice is unique.

It is never the voice of fear or panic.

It does not shout or demand.

It is a whisper, a presence, a love that reassures and calms.

The question we can ask ourselves from time to time is, “Which voice am I listening to?”

We have to train ourselves to differentiate between the 3 voices in our minds.

In the silence, we tune our heart’s ears to the Voice of Love—like fine-tuning an AM radio for clarity.

The stillness attunes our hearts to the Divine Frequency.

The more we quiet ourselves and listen, the more clearly we recognize how God speaks uniquely to us.

For me, God’s voice is like a gentle flutter of air, flowing through a flute, whispering from my stomach into my heart space.

It is not rushed or forceful. It moves like a soft breeze, bringing clarity, reassurance, and deep peace.

For others, it may come as a knowing, an inner nudge, a feeling of warmth, or a sense of profound stillness.

Some may hear God in the patterns of nature, the lyrics of a song, or the loving words of a friend.

However it comes, the Voice of Love always affirms truth—it never condemns, shames, or breeds fear.

If we want to hear God, we have to ask—and then make space to listen.

It may not come right away, but in time, if we are open, the Voice of Love will become unmistakable.

So today, take a moment of silence. Breathe deeply. 

Place your hand on your heart. And ask:

“God, how do you speak to me? Let me hear your voice.”

Then listen.

Love is always speaking. We just have to learn how to hear it.

Some Tools for Your Spiritual Toolbox So You Can Hear the Voice of Love 

Love is always speaking—in the quiet moments, in the chaos, in the longing of our hearts.

The invitation is not to strain to hear, but to trust that Love’s Divine Voice is already woven into our being, waiting for us to notice.

In 1 Samuel 3, young Samuel heard a voice calling his name but didn’t recognize it as God’s.

After seeking guidance from Eli, he finally responded, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Like Samuel, we may not always recognize God’s voice at first. But if we quiet our hearts and open ourselves to the whisper of Divine Love, we will hear it. God promises.

Simply whisper, “Speak, Lord, I am listening.”

Here are concrete steps to help you hear God’s Voice of Love:

Create Silence

The Voice of Love is quiet. 

Turn down the noise of life and set aside daily time for silence, whether through meditation, prayer, or simply sitting still.

Practice Centering Prayer or Breath Prayer 

Choose a short phrase during your meditation practice to quiet your mind like “Be still and know that I am God” or simply “I inhale Love and exhale Fear.”

Let this practice ground you as your mind sinks into your heart.

Journal About Your Conversations with God 

Write down your thoughts, words, or images that rise up as you take time to listen for God’s Voice.

Ask, God, “What do you want me to know?”

Write down whatever comes without overanalyzing.

The Voice of Love often emerges in the stillness of writing.

Look for the Fruits of the Spirit

The Voice of Love brings peace, not anxiety.

If what you’re hearing leads to the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, patience, kindness, and trust, it’s likely God’s voice.

If it brings fear, self-doubt, or shame, it’s not.

Surround Yourself with Loving Presence

Read scripture or spiritual books that remind you of God’s love.

Spend time with people who uplift you.

Listen to music or nature sounds that soothe your soul.

Practice the Pause Before Reacting

When you’re overwhelmed, stop, take a deep breath, and ask yourself,

“Which voice am I listening to? Is this thought from the voice of love or fear?”

f it’s not from the voice of love, let it go.

Practice Gratitude

Love speaks when you nurture a spirit of gratitude.

Each day, name three things you’re grateful for.

Gratitude shifts your attention away from the din of the world toward the whisper of God’s voice.

Trust the God Nudges

The Voice of Love often comes as a quiet knowing—a nudge to reach out to someone, a sense of peace in a decision, a sudden wave of reassurance.

Trust it.

—brian j plachta
brianplachta.com

The voice of God is not a shout. It is a whisper, and you have to listen very carefully to hear it. But when you do, it is unmistakable.

— Frederick Buechner

Get Into the Divine Flow With 2 More Tools for Your Spiritual Toolbox:

 Finding Flow: Spiritual Practices To Reclaim Inner Peace, Balance, and Wholeness  

Finding Flow offers simple, practical spiritual practices to deepen your connection with God. Readers love its easy-to-read style and clear, heartfelt guidance. Get your copy today and discover a path to greater peace and presence.

Click here to get your copy

Spirituality on the Go Podcast

Episode 9: The Power of Stillness. Feeling overwhelmed by life’s busyness? It’s time to be still.

In this episode of Spirituality on the Go, we explore the power of stillness—why it matters, how it heals, and how you can practice it in just a few moments each day.

Click here to listen

 Pay It Forward!

Do you know of someone who would like to receive these weekly Simple Wisdom reflections?  Feel free to forward this email to them.

They can sign up to receive their personal copy of each week’s email by clicking on this link to my website:

Get Simple Wisdom!