Before You Speak or Write: How to Hear God Clearly and Communicate from Overflow

From Edie: Great insight from Kennita Williams about our attitude Before we speak or write, learn how to hear God clearly and communicate from a place of overflow. Discover simple, faith-based steps to bring clarity, purpose, and impact to our words.

Before You Speak or Write: How to Hear God Clearly and Communicate from Overflow

by Kennita (Kay) Williams

“April showers bring May flowers.”

It’s a phrase we’ve heard for years, a reminder that what feels like inconvenience or discomfort can be preparation for something beautiful.

But what if we looked at it a little differently as communicators?

What if the “showers” were not just external… but intentional moments we create to pour into ourselves before we pour out to others?

As writers, speakers, and leaders, we are constantly giving, sharing messages, offering encouragement, creating content, and communicating truth.

But too often, we rush to release without first being refreshed.

We press send before we pause.

We speak before we seek.

We post before we process.

And in doing so, we risk pouring from an empty place.

Scripture gently reminds us in Luke 6:45: “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart… For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

If our words are an overflow, then what we pour into ourselves matters.

Before your next message, your next post, your next conversation here are ten “showers” to intentionally give yourself.

1. Shower Yourself with Stillness

Before you write or speak, pause. Create space to hear God clearly. Stillness sharpens your message.

2. Shower Yourself with Prayer

Invite God into your communication. Ask Him, “What do You want me to say?” Let Him lead your words.

3. Shower Yourself with Truth

Anchor your message in Scripture, not just opinion. Truth gives your communication weight and direction.

4. Shower Yourself with Clarity

Get clear on your purpose. Why are you sharing this? Who is it for? Clarity removes confusion for you and your audience.

5. Shower Yourself with Alignment

Make sure your message reflects your values and God’s will. Not everything worth saying is yours to say.

6. Shower Yourself with Patience

Not every message needs to be released immediately. Sometimes waiting refines what needs to be said.

Scripture reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3:7: “There is a time to be silent and a time to speak.”

7. Shower Yourself with Discernment

Ask God if this is the right message, the right moment, and the right audience. Timing matters.

8. Shower Yourself with Peace

If you feel rushed, pressured, or unsettled… Pause. God’s direction brings peace, not confusion.

9. Shower Yourself with Humility

Remember, it’s not about being seen, it's about being obedient. Let God get the glory through your message.

10. Shower Yourself with Courage

Once God has confirmed your message, release it boldly. Someone is waiting for what you carry.

From Overflow, Not Emptiness

When we take time to “shower” ourselves in these ways, our communication shifts.

We no longer speak from exhaustion; we speak from overflow.

We no longer post for validation; we share with purpose.

We no longer rush; we respond with intention.

Proverbs reminds us in Proverbs 16:24: “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

That kind of communication doesn’t come from rushing.

It comes from being filled first.

Let April Be Your Reset

April is an invitation.

An invitation to slow down.

To be intentional.

To allow God to refresh you before you release anything to the world.

So before you press send on that email…

Before you post that caption…

Before you speak into that microphone…

PAUSE.

Ask yourself:

Have I taken time to be filled before I pour out?

Because what you release carries weight.

And when you allow God to pour into you first, your words will do more than communicate, they will encourage, heal, and transform.

Let the showers of April not just prepare what’s around you…

Let them prepare what’s within you.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the gift of communication and the opportunity to use our words to serve others. Help us to slow down and seek You before we speak, write, or share.

Teach us to be intentional in what we pour into ourselves, so that what we release reflects Your truth, Your love, and Your wisdom. Give us clarity, discernment, and peace in every message we communicate.

Lord, help us not to rush ahead of You, but to trust Your timing and Your direction. Fill us so that we may pour out from a place of overflow, not emptiness.

May our words bring life, encouragement, and healing to those who receive them.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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Before You Speak or Write: How to Hear God Clearly and Communicate from Overflow from Kennita (Kay) Williams on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Dr. Kennita “Kay” Williams is a Visionary Leadership Coach, Author, Resilience Expert, and Wellness Advocate. Through her Business/Ministry, Clear Vision, she empowers leaders to navigate challenges, gain clarity, and lead with purpose. Dr. Kay’s mission is to inspire wholeness and healing. She can be contacted at www.clearvisionleader.com.