When Jesus spoke to the disciples in the storm, His voice cut through the chaos: “Do not be afraid. It is Me.” Before Peter could step out, he had to listen. In this Walk On Water series episode, Bethany Joy unpacks why active listening—to God and to others—is a vital relational skill for thriving in life’s challenges.

💡 Learn simple, practical ways to practice active listening, stay curious, and truly be present with others.

📖 Get your FREE Interactive Appreciation Workbook to help you find God in the middle of life’s storms: ThriveWithBethany.com

This week in our Walk On Water series, we explore one of the most overlooked parts of Matthew 14: Jesus spoke first.
In the middle of the storm, before the miracle, there was a moment of listening.

In relationships—whether with God, family, friends, or those you lead—active listening changes everything. We’ll talk about how to know you’re really listening, ways to reflect back what you’ve heard, and how curiosity keeps you connected to someone else’s story.

Listening well takes courage, intention, and practice. But it’s worth it.

• [0:00 ] Welcome & quick recap of previous episodes

• [1:26 ] My early love for making Bible stories come alive (and a high school Sunday school memory)

• [3:44 ] Recap so far: Letting go, facing storms… and now, listening

• [4:46 ] Jesus speaks first: “Do not be afraid. It is Me.”

• [5:52 ] Why listening in a storm is harder than we think

• [6:45 ] Two simple practices for active listening

• [8:08 ] Listening to God’s voice without overthinking

• [8:16 ] Staying curious as a listening skill

• [9:20 ] Why “letting go last” matters in connection

• [10:12 ] Questions for reflection this week

• [12:00 ] Free workbook invitation + wrap-up encouragement

1. Listening comes before action – You can’t respond well if you haven’t truly heard.

2. Active listening builds trust – Repeat back what you’ve heard, stay curious, and be fully present.

3. Practice with God too – Listen to His voice without rushing to figure it out; trust Him to clarify.

✨ Want a practical way to start active listening—with God and with others?
Download your FREE Interactive Appreciation Workbook here: ThriveWithBethany.com

Hosted by: Bethany Joy – Certified Mental Health Coach, speaker, and author helping you dare to do more than just survive… Step Out and Thrive!