Whose Voice Are You Listening To?

Sometimes God drops a message that hits too hard to keep to yourself. So there I was — driving to my doctor’s appointment in MillerTime (my black-and-pink Jeep, who sometimes thinks she’s a boat — check out the video here where my husband “cures” my anxiety while MillerTime channels her inner pontoon) — when this verse came to mind:

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17

And that verse hit me right between the eyes.

Because when you really think about it, we all have two kinds of people in our lives:
1️⃣ The ones who sharpen us — lovingly.
2️⃣ The ones who just swing the sword.

🧠 The Voices That Shape Us

You know the difference.

There’s the friend who can call you out and still make you feel safe — the one who says, “Hey, maybe that wasn’t the most Christ-like response,” but does it with kindness and love.

Then there’s the other kind… the one who hides behind, “I’m just being honest,” while cutting you down. That’s not honesty — that’s cruelty dressed in truth’s clothing.

For years, I listened to the wrong voice — the one that told me I was too much, too dramatic, too loud.
So I toned it down, quieted who I was, and called it “being humble.”

But here’s the truth I’ve learned the hard way:
When you silence yourself to make other people comfortable, you also silence your joy, your passion, and your purpose.

❤️ The Voices That Matter

The voice that corrects with love — that’s the one that sharpens.
The voice that criticizes without compassion? That’s the one that scars.

Yes, Jesus corrected people, but He always led with love.
He didn’t humiliate. He didn’t shame.
He lifted, guided, and reminded us who we’re meant to be.

So maybe it’s time we all ask ourselves:

Whose voice am I letting shape my spirit?

Because the voice you listen to most will determine the direction of your life.

☕ Guarding Your Headspace

If your circle feels more draining than sharpening, it might be time to reevaluate who’s holding the sword.

And it’s not just about people — it’s about what we let into our minds.
Social media, TV, the news… all of it adds noise. The more negativity we absorb, the harder it is to hear God’s whisper.

You’ve probably noticed it: once you focus on something — like when I decided I wanted a black Jeep — suddenly you see it everywhere.
The same happens with thoughts.
When you start focusing on gratitude, love, and truth, you’ll begin seeing more of it.
When you focus on fear and criticism, that’s all your mind will feed you.

🛠️ Real Talk

If you don’t have that “iron sharpens iron” person in your life, find one — or be one.
Encourage someone today. Speak truth, but wrap it in grace.

And if you’re still figuring out who to listen to, here’s a simple guide I remind myself of often 👇

The Wrong Voice Says: “You’re too much.” “You messed up again.” You’ll never change.”

The Right Voice Says: “You were made for more.” “You’re learning." “You’re growing, give yourself grace.”

Because this is what Unapologetic Living really means — showing up as the woman God created you to be: bold, imperfect, and still learning to listen to the right voices again.

Until Next Time,
💋 Cheryl Miller
@HeyCherylMiller
Certified Nutrition & Wellness Coach (CNC, CWC)
Helping bold-but-buried women in midlife rediscover joy through unapologetic wellness, marriage realness, and budget-friendly adventure — fueled by Christ, coffee, and chaos.