S2 E131: Can Christians Be Ambitious Without Losing the Plot?

S2 E139: Why Doesn’t God Stop Everything Bad From Happening?

Why Doesn’t God Stop Everything Bad From Happening? After watching an old episode of Highway to Heaven, I found myself sitting with a question many of us wrestle with: if God loves us, why doesn’t He stop every bad thing from happening? In this episode, I talk about suffering, illness, unanswered questions, and what it means to trust God in a broken world. I also share personal reflections from my own TIA recovery and how God’s presence became more real in the middle of something I never expected. In this episode: * Why creation itself is broken * Why Jesus never promised a life without suffering * When God sustains us instead of removing the trial * What Job teaches us about unanswered questions * My own reflections on recovery, peace, anxiety, and faith * Why suffering does not get the final word Scripture References: * Romans 8:22 * John 16:33 * 2 Corinthians 12:9 🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com [http://kathrinshaffer.com] 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled [https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled]

S2 E138: Do I Doubt God or Do I Doubt Myself?

DO I DOUBT GOD OR DO I DOUBT MYSELF? For a long time, I thought I struggled with doubting God. But recently I realized something: I don't actually doubt God nearly as much as I doubt myself. I worry about whether I'm hearing Him correctly, making the right decisions, or somehow missing His direction. Yet when I look back over my life, I see a faithful God who has continued to guide me through Scripture, people, circumstances, open doors, and closed doors—even when I wasn't sure where He was leading. In this episode, I share a personal reflection on faith, uncertainty, obedience, and the difference between doubting God's ability to lead and doubting our ability to follow. In this episode: • The difference between doubting God and doubting ourselves • Why we crave certainty before taking action • Learning to trust God with the next step • Looking back and recognizing God's faithfulness • How God guides through Scripture, people, and circumstances • Why obedience often comes before clarity • Personal reflections from my own faith journey Scripture References: • Proverbs 3:5-6 • Psalm 23:1-3 🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com [http://kathrinshaffer.com] 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled [https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled]

S2 E137: Why Does Disagreement Feel So Personal?

Why Does Disagreement Feel So Personal? Why does a simple disagreement sometimes feel like a personal attack? Why do conversations become emotional, defensive, and hostile when two people simply see things differently? In a world where everything seems divided into teams, learning how to disagree well has never been more important. In this episode, I explore why we often confuse disagreement with rejection, how we tie our identity to our opinions, and why social media has made healthy conversations more difficult. I also share personal experiences from online discussions and reflect on what Scripture teaches about humility, grace, and responding with love when others see things differently. In this episode: * Why disagreement often feels personal * The difference between disagreement and rejection * How we tie our identity to our opinions * Wanting validation instead of genuine discussion * Social media, division, and "team mentality" * Learning to disagree without hostility * Personal reflections from online conversations * Responding with truth, humility, and grace Scripture References: * Romans 14:1 * Ephesians 4:2-3 * Proverbs 15:1 🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com [http://kathrinshaffer.com] 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled [https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled] #ChristianPodcast #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #BiblicalWisdom #Romans14 #ChristianEncouragement #SpiritualGrowth #HealthyConversations #UnpolishedButCalled

S2 E136: Why Do We Need to Have an Opinion on Everything?

Why Do We Need to Have an Opinion on Everything? A news story breaks. A controversy starts. Someone posts something online. Within minutes people are demanding answers, reactions, and opinions. But what if we don't actually know enough to have one? What if we've confused having an opinion with having wisdom? In this episode, I explore the pressure to weigh in on every topic, the difference between information and wisdom, and why Scripture reminds us that sometimes silence is the wiser choice. I also share personal reflections on social media, debate culture, learning to let things go, and the freedom that comes from being able to say, "I don't know." In this episode: * Why we feel pressure to have an answer for everything * The difference between information and wisdom * How social media rewards instant reactions * Why Jesus didn't answer every question * Learning when to speak and when to stay silent * The freedom of saying "I don't know" * Personal reflections on debate, growth, and humility Scripture References: * Proverbs 17:28 * Ecclesiastes 3:7 🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com [http://kathrinshaffer.com] 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled [https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled] #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalWisdom #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #Proverbs1728 #Ecclesiastes37 #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianEncouragement #UnpolishedButCalled

S2 E135: Why Are We So Quick to Assume the Worst?

Why Are We So Quick to Assume the Worst? Have you ever noticed how quickly your mind fills in the blanks? Someone doesn't text you back, and suddenly you're replaying every conversation you've had with them. Someone seems distant, and before long you've convinced yourself they're upset with you. In this episode, I explore why we so often assume the worst when we don't have all the facts, how fear creates stories that may not be true, and what Scripture teaches about giving people the benefit of the doubt. I also share some personal reflections on anxiety, people-pleasing, and learning to respond with compassion instead of assumptions. In this episode: * Why our minds fill in missing information * The stories we create when we don't know the whole picture * How fear fuels assumptions and unnecessary hurt * Giving people the benefit of the doubt * Learning to respond with compassion instead of suspicion * Personal reflections on anxiety, relationships, and people-pleasing Scripture References: * Proverbs 18:13 * 1 Corinthians 13:7 🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com [http://kathrinshaffer.com] 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled [https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled] #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #ChristianEncouragement #Proverbs1813 #FaithAndGrowth #ChristianLiving #Mindset #BiblicalWisdom #UnpolishedButCalled