Unpolished but Called

What if being afraid doesn’t actually mean you’re supposed to stop?In this episode of Unpolished but Called, I’m talking about something I’m learning in real time: courage doesn’t always arrive after fear disappears. Sometimes obedience looks like being nervous, unsure, and still taking the next faithful step.We’ll look at Moses, Joshua, Gideon, and other places in Scripture where fear and obedience existed at the same time—and why biblical courage isn’t reckless or based on emotion. There’s still prayer, Scripture, wisdom, and discernment. But when we believe God is leading us forward, fear alone doesn’t get to make the decision.I also share what this has looked like for me as I’ve stepped into things I prayed for long before I felt ready for them. I’m still nervous. I still don’t know where all of this is going. And sometimes my prayer before taking the next step really is as simple as, “Lord, help me.”Maybe the question isn’t whether you’re afraid. Maybe it’s whether you’re waiting on God—or waiting until you stop feeling scared.❤️ Find my books, Bible studies, courses, podcasts, community, and more at kathrinshaffer.comKeep walking with Him. Keep getting into His Word. And remember: none of us are polished. We’re just called.

Why do we need to hear what God has done in someone else’s life?We talk a lot about sharing our testimony—but what about the importance of listening to someone else’s?Since beginning Walking It Out with Kathrin, I’ve already had the privilege of sitting across from people and hearing their stories of faith. I started these conversations wanting to give others a place to share what God has done in their lives, but I didn’t fully anticipate how much hearing those stories would encourage me.In this episode of Unpolished but Called, we’re looking at why testimony matters, why God repeatedly called His people to remember His faithfulness, and how another believer’s story can strengthen our faith without becoming a formula for what God must do in our own lives.Someone else’s testimony doesn’t promise me that God will write my story the same way. It reminds me that the God writing my story is still faithful.Scripture referenced (KJV):Psalm 105:1–5Joshua 4:6–7Psalm 66:16Romans 15:41 Samuel 17:34–37Mark 5:18–20Acts 22:6–8Hebrews 10:24–252 Corinthians 12:91 Thessalonians 5:11James 1:19❤️ Keep Walking With MeFind my books, Bible studies, courses, podcasts, community, and more at:kathrinshaffer.comYouTube: youtube.com/@kathrinshafferMore links: linktr.ee/kathrinshafferDifferent stories. One faithful God.

Grace. Forgiveness. Loyalty. Privacy. Keeping the peace. Protecting someone's reputation.All of those can be biblical—but what happens when we use a biblical principle to protect an unbiblical pattern?In this episode, Kathrin looks at a form of enabling that doesn't always look like rescuing someone. Sometimes it looks like making excuses, staying silent, minimizing harmful behavior, absorbing consequences, or allowing everyone around one person to adapt so that person never has to face what's actually happening. That's the question that drives the recorded episode from the opening.We'll look at the difference between covering someone with love and covering for them, privacy versus harmful secrecy, grace versus removing accountability, forgiveness versus pretending a pattern has changed, and why refusing to participate in harmful behavior doesn't necessarily mean rejecting the person.Because sometimes the question isn't simply:“Do I love this person?”It's:“What has my love taught me to protect?”Scripture referenced:Proverbs 28:131 Peter 4:8Proverbs 10:12Galatians 6:11 Corinthians 13:6Proverbs 22:24–25Romans 12:18James 3:17Proverbs 11:13Ephesians 5:111 Timothy 5:22Titus 2:11–12Proverbs 27:5–6Matthew 7:162 Thessalonians 3:14–15James 1:5🎙️ Unpolished but Called with Kathrin ShafferYouTube: https://youtube.com/@kathrinshafferWebsite: https://kathrinshaffer.comMore links & resources: https://linktr.ee/kathrinshaffer

When you say no, how much explanation do you actually owe someone?Sometimes loving communication requires an explanation. Sometimes responsibility means having an uncomfortable conversation. But explaining a decision isn't the same as defending it indefinitely—and someone disagreeing with your boundary doesn't automatically make it negotiable.In this episode, Kathrin walks through boundaries, people-pleasing, accountability, communication, and the biblical tension between bearing one another's burdens and carrying our own responsibilities.Because sometimes the other person understands your answer perfectly well.They just don't like it.Scripture referenced:Exodus 18:17–18Mark 1:35–38Ephesians 4:15Matthew 5:37Proverbs 18:13Galatians 1:10Romans 12:18Galatians 6:2, 5Proverbs 12:15Philippians 2:4James 5:12🎙️ Unpolished but Called with Kathrin ShafferYouTube: https://youtube.com/@kathrinshafferWebsite: https://kathrinshaffer.comMore links & resources: https://linktr.ee/kathrinshaffer

Can someone practice witchcraft and still call it Christian—as long as they're using it for good?That question sent me straight to Scripture.The Bible is undeniably supernatural. We see prophecy, healing, miracles, spiritual gifts, and even people raised from the dead. But does the existence of supernatural works in Scripture mean every supernatural practice can be incorporated into Christianity?In this episode of Unpolished but Called, we're looking at the difference between biblical miracles and magic, prophecy and divination, and why something being accurate, helpful, or even supernatural doesn't automatically mean it came from God.We'll look at the woman with the spirit of divination in Acts 16, Simon's desire for spiritual power in Acts 8, God's warnings in Deuteronomy, and the biblical command to “try the spirits whether they are of God.”Because “but it worked” isn't enough.Good intentions are not the same thing as biblical truth—and Christianity isn't about learning how to control the supernatural. It's about surrendering ourselves to God.Scripture referenced:Deuteronomy 18:10–12Acts 9:402 Peter 1:21Acts 16:17–18Deuteronomy 13:1–3Acts 8:18–201 Thessalonians 5:21Matthew 22:37Luke 10:201 John 4:1🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@kathrinshaffer🌐 More from Kathrin: kathrinshaffer.com🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalledIf this episode made you think, share it with someone and subscribe so you don't miss the next conversation.

One year ago, Unpolished but Called began with one yes.I didn't know what the podcast would become, how many episodes there would be, who would listen, or how much God would change me along the way.Now, one year later, I'm looking back—not simply at what was built, but at what God taught me while I kept showing up.In this special anniversary episode, we're talking about the ordinary side of faithfulness: continuing when the excitement wears off, learning without demanding perfection, adapting through changing seasons, listening to correction without living for approval, and refusing to let numbers determine whether obedience was worthwhile.We're also talking about something I didn't fully expect when this podcast began: God can use the very thing He calls us to do to keep working on us. What started as a burden for new believers grew into honest conversations about the Christian walk we're all living—the trials, messy middle, conviction, growth, and places where God is still refining us.Maybe faithfulness isn't built through one enormous yes.Maybe it's built through hundreds of ordinary ones.One recording. One step. One day at a time.🎙️ S2 E166: What God Taught Me in One Year of Showing UpScripture: Psalm 119:105; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Zechariah 4:10; James 1:22; 2 Corinthians 8:12; Galatians 1:10; Isaiah 55:11; Philippians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 3:6–7; Luke 16:10🌐 Books, Bible studies & more:KathrinShaffer.com🔗 All Other Links:https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled

Can you be angry with a God you don't believe in?That question stopped me in the middle of an episode of House—not because I think every person who doesn't believe in God is secretly angry with Him, but because it made me think about the people who say:“I used to believe.”Then something happened.Loss. Grief. An unanswered prayer. Betrayal. Suffering. Something they begged God to change that He didn't. And somewhere between “God, why did You let this happen?” and “I don't believe in God anymore,” something broke.In this episode, we're talking about the difference between questioning whether God exists and struggling to trust the God we once believed was good. We'll look at Naomi, Martha, David and Job—people in Scripture who experienced grief, disappointment and difficult questions without hiding what they were feeling from God.We're also talking about how Christians respond when somebody's faith is hurting, why every painful question doesn't need an immediate theological explanation, and whether the way back to God might begin with something as simple—and honest—as talking to Him again.Maybe the prayer isn't polished.Maybe it's simply:“Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”🎙️ S2 E165: Can You Be Angry With a God You Don’t Believe In?Scripture: Psalm 73:1; Ruth 1:20–21; John 11:21–22; Psalm 13:1–2, 5–6; Job 30:20; Romans 12:15; Job 2:13; Isaiah 55:8–9; Mark 9:24🌐 Books, Bible studies & more:KathrinShaffer.com🔗All Other Link:https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled

“Lukewarm Christian.”We use that phrase pretty easily. Someone isn't reading their Bible enough, praying enough, attending enough, sharing their faith enough—or simply doesn't seem as passionate about Christianity as we think they should be.But is that actually what Jesus meant?In this episode, we're going back to Revelation 3 and Christ's warning to the church at Laodicea. Instead of building a spiritual temperature chart from one verse, we're looking at what Jesus says was actually happening beneath their lukewarm condition—and the enormous difference between how this church saw itself and how Christ saw it.We'll also talk about why struggling isn't necessarily the same thing as being lukewarm, how spiritual appearance can hide our actual condition, and the danger of becoming comfortable with something God is trying to address. Because there's a difference between fighting a battle and deciding there isn't one.And Christ's message doesn't end with “I will spew thee out of my mouth.” There's rebuke—but there's also love, repentance, an invitation to fellowship and a promise.Maybe Revelation 3 wasn't intended to give us another label to put on somebody else.Maybe it was meant to make us listen.🎙️ S2 E164: Are We Using “Lukewarm Christian” Wrong?Scripture: Revelation 3:14–22; 1 Samuel 16:7; Romans 7:18–19, 24–25; James 1:22–24; Hebrews 12:10–11; Proverbs 28:13; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Psalm 139:23–24🌐 Books, Bible studies & more:KathrinShaffer.com🔗All Other Links:https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled

Someone leaves our church and suddenly the relationship changes.The calls stop. Invitations disappear. People who once called each other brother and sister barely know what to say when they run into each other at Walmart.But did that person actually leave the church—or did they simply leave our church?In this episode, we’re talking about the difference between biblical church involvement and loyalty that quietly becomes tribalism, what happens to friendships when proximity changes, and why another Christian’s decision to worship somewhere else doesn’t automatically make them disloyal to us—or to Christ.We’ll also put some necessary guardrails around this conversation. Biblical separation and church discipline are real, but they aren’t the same thing as socially rejecting somebody because they changed congregations. And when conflict is involved, we need to be especially careful about inheriting somebody else’s offense and feeling pressured to choose a side.Because if we called somebody our brother or sister while they sat beside us on Sunday, what happens to that relationship when they worship somewhere else?Maybe the question isn't “Why did they leave?”Maybe it's “How are we going to love them now?”🎙️ S2 E163: Did They Leave the Church—or Just Your Church?Scripture: Hebrews 10:24–25; 1 Corinthians 12:12–13; Proverbs 17:17; 1 Corinthians 3:3–7; Romans 14:4; Matthew 18:15–17; 1 Corinthians 5; Proverbs 18:13,17; John 13:34–35; Galatians 6:10🌐 Books, Bible studies & more:KathrinShaffer.com🔗All Links Available:https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled

We’ve probably all heard an apology that contained the words “I’m sorry” but somehow didn’t feel much like an apology.“I’m sorry you were offended.”“I’m sorry, but…”“I apologized. What else do you want from me?”But for Christians, there’s a bigger question than whether we said the right words: was there actually repentance?In this episode, we’re getting into the difference between being sorry and biblical repentance, what happens when an apology comes with an excuse attached, and why taking responsibility sometimes requires more than simply saying the words. Because when our actions caused damage, repentance may ask something of us afterward.We’ll also talk about forgiveness, reconciliation and trust—and why those three things aren’t necessarily interchangeable. What happens when we genuinely apologize and the other person is still hurt? What if they forgive us but don’t immediately trust us again? And how do we know when our repentance is actually producing fruit?This one turns the question back toward us, because sometimes “I’m sorry” is the beginning of repentance—and sometimes “I’m sorry” is how we try to avoid it.🎙️ S2 E162: Is “I’m Sorry” Actually an Apology?Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:9–10; Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9; Luke 19:8; Romans 12:18; Luke 16:10; Matthew 3:8; Psalm 51:3–4; Colossians 3:13🌐 Books, Bible studies & more:KathrinShaffer.com🔗 More links & ways to listen:Kathrin's Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled

Why do some Christian women still have mean girl energy?This episode started with a question that came across my Facebook feed in a Christian women's group. I opened the comments—and honestly, I was shook by how many women described feeling excluded, judged, talked about, or like they'd somehow found themselves back in the high-school cafeteria.So we're going there.We're talking about church cliques, competition between women, passive aggression, gossip disguised as concern, and what happens when “I just don't have a good feeling about her” gets elevated into spiritual discernment.But we're also turning the mirror around, because this conversation gets uncomfortable when we stop asking who the mean girl is and start asking whether we've ever been her.And there's one question in this episode that might sting a little:Would another woman describe me as safe?This isn't about being nicer, pretending everyone gets along, or never confronting another woman. It's about something much deeper—and Galatians 5 gives us a pretty revealing place to start.🎙️ S2 E161: Why Do Some Christian Women Still Have Mean Girl Energy?Scripture: Galatians 5:16, 19–23; James 2:1–4; John 7:24; Philippians 2:3–4; Proverbs 26:24–25; Titus 2:3–5📺 Subscribe to Unpolished but Called:YouTube.com/@KathrinShaffer🌐 Books, Bible studies & more:KathrinShaffer.com🔗 All my links:https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled

Anger isn't always sinful.Scripture actually tells us, “Be ye angry, and sin not.”But that's where the harder question begins: What is our anger producing?In S2 E160 of Unpolished but Called, we're talking about righteous anger, fleshly anger, self-control, the power of our words—and what happens when something genuinely wrong collides with our very last nerve.This episode is personal for me because I've always been good with words. For a long time, that also meant I knew how to use them as a weapon. I didn't necessarily need to yell. Give me enough information and I could usually figure out exactly which sentence would cut deepest.And sometimes what I said was completely true.But I've had to learn that “I wasn't wrong” is not the same thing as “God wanted me to say it.”We look at Jesus' anger in Mark 3, where His anger was accompanied by grief over hardened hearts, and James' warning that “the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” Something can begin with “That was wrong” and quickly become “Now I'm going to make sure you understand exactly how wrong you were.”We'll also talk about what sanctification can look like when our words have historically been sharp. God doesn't necessarily remove our boldness, wit, directness or ability to communicate. He can sanctify how those gifts are used. Words can wound, but they can also teach, encourage, defend, comfort, confront wrongdoing, explain Scripture and point people toward Christ.For me, one of the biggest changes has been simple:The first reaction stopped getting the final word.Sometimes there's now enough space between the reaction and the response for conviction to interrupt—enough time to reread the message, pray, rewrite it with grace...or delete the whole beautifully constructed verbal homicide. 😂Because truth matters.But we don't get to weaponize truth simply because it's accurate.And restraint doesn't mean Christians never confront wrongdoing. There are times Scripture requires us to speak plainly. The question isn't whether somebody might be hurt by hearing truth. The question is whether hurting them was our objective.Maybe spiritual maturity isn't losing our ability to speak sharply.Maybe it's learning when God wants us to use that sharpness—and when He wants us to put the sword down.Scripture References: Ephesians 4:26–27, Mark 3:1–5, James 1:19–20, Proverbs 12:18, Colossians 4:6, Proverbs 29:11, Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 16:32, Galatians 5:22–23, Proverbs 27:5–6, Proverbs 17:14, Psalm 141:3📺 Subscribe to Unpolished but Called on YouTube:YouTube.com/@KathrinShaffer🌐 More resources:KathrinShaffer.com🔗 Books, podcasts, resources & more:Kathrin's Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled

When someone you love is struggling, making a bad decision, or facing a problem you know how to solve, helping can feel like the obvious thing to do.But how do we know when God is asking us to step in—and when we're trying to take responsibility for something that was never ours to carry?In S2 E159 of Unpolished but Called, we're talking about the difference between helping someone and trying to control their outcome.Galatians tells us to bear one another's burdens, but only a few verses later says that every person must bear his own burden. Both are true. There are burdens we're called to help carry, and there are responsibilities that belong to someone else. The difficult part is discerning the difference.We look at the Good Samaritan, whose compassion required him to step in, and Moses, who had to learn that personally handling every problem wasn't good for him—or for the people depending on him. Sometimes helping is exactly what love requires. Other times, constantly becoming the solution can keep someone from learning, growing and carrying responsibilities for themselves.And then comes the uncomfortable question:Is God asking me to help—or am I uncomfortable watching something remain unfixed?Sometimes genuine compassion can become a need to control the outcome. We want someone to listen to our advice, make the decision we think is right, avoid the consequences we can see coming, or simply make the problem disappear. But loving someone doesn't give us control over their choices.Paul planted. Apollos watered. God gave the increase.We can speak truth, pray, encourage, apologize, forgive, love and point people toward Christ—but there are things only God can do. Sometimes our responsibility ends before we get to see the outcome.And this isn't only an episode for the fixers. Those of us who find it easier to step away have a question to answer too:Am I stepping away because this genuinely isn't mine to carry—or because helping would inconvenience me?Maybe biblical discernment isn't always stepping in or always stepping back.Maybe it's learning what God has actually given us to carry—and trusting Him with what He hasn't.Scripture References: Galatians 6:1–5, Luke 10:30–37, Exodus 18:13–23, 1 Corinthians 3:5–7, Mark 10:21–22, Psalm 127:1–2📺 Subscribe to Unpolished but Called on YouTube:YouTube.com/@KathrinShaffer🌐 More resources:KathrinShaffer.com🔗 Books, podcasts, resources & more:https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled

What happens when “protecting people” becomes the justification for sowing discord?Sometimes division doesn't begin with a public accusation. It starts quietly—with one conversation, one warning, one carefully planted suggestion. Someone tells their version of a conflict to another person, then another, and eventually people who were never involved are carrying opinions and judgments about someone they may never have spoken to themselves.In S2 E158 of Unpolished but Called, we're looking at what Scripture says about sowing discord, slander, damaging someone's reputation, recruiting others into our conflicts, and using biblical-sounding motives to justify unbiblical methods.We walk through Proverbs 6 and its warning about those who sow discord among brethren, the picture of feeding a fire in Proverbs 26, and Absalom's calculated campaign to steal the hearts of Israel through conversations that slowly shaped how people viewed David.But there's another side we need to consider: What happens when someone tries to recruit us into their conflict? Do we immediately accept the first version we hear? Do we allow another person's story to determine how we treat someone? Do we become another link in the chain—or are we willing to ask, Why are you telling me this?And there's an important distinction: protecting someone who is genuinely in danger, reporting serious wrongdoing, seeking appropriate counsel, or involving legitimate authority is not the same thing as sowing discord. Biblical accountability seeks truth and resolution. Sowing discord seeks division.Before pointing at someone else, though, this episode turns the question back on all of us.Have we ever carried wood to a fire God wanted extinguished?Because a biblical goal does not justify an unbiblical method. And sometimes the fire can stop with us.Scripture References: Proverbs 6:16–19, Proverbs 26:20–22, 2 Samuel 15:1–6, Proverbs 22:1, Proverbs 18:17, Proverbs 17:9, Matthew 18:15–17, Proverbs 16:2, Romans 3:7–8, James 3:5–10, Psalm 139:23–24📺 Subscribe to Unpolished but Called on YouTube:YouTube.com/@KathrinShaffer🌐 More from Kathrin:KathrinShaffer.com🔗 Books, podcasts, resources & more:https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled

What happens when you've spent your whole life being the strong one—and suddenly you can't be strong anymore?Maybe you learned very young to be responsible, independent, dependable and easy. Maybe you became the person who could handle things, the person everyone leaned on, or the person who learned there wasn't much room for what you needed. Eventually, being strong stopped being something you did and became something you believed you had to be.But what happens when adulthood brings more than you can carry? When life becomes uncertain, old wounds begin resurfacing, responsibilities pile up, and the person who has always handled everything suddenly feels overwhelmed?In S2 E157 of Unpolished but Called, we're talking honestly about what Scripture says when the strong one reaches the end of their own strength.David didn't ask God to make him the rock. He prayed, “When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Moses finally admitted that the burden was too heavy for him, and God gave him people to help carry it. Elijah reached his limit, and God acknowledged that the journey was too great for him.We also talk about something Christians sometimes struggle to reconcile: trusting God and feeling overwhelmed can exist at the same time. Scripture doesn't tell us to sanitize our emotions before bringing them to God. Psalm 62 tells us both to trust Him and to pour out our hearts before Him.Maybe reaching the end of your strength doesn't mean you've reached the end of your faith.Maybe you were never supposed to be the rock.There already is One.And maybe the prayer isn't, “God, make me strong enough to handle everything.”Maybe it's simply:“God, I can't carry all of this. Please carry me.”Scripture References:Psalm 61:1–2Numbers 11:10–17Galatians 6:21 Kings 19:1–8Psalm 62:8Matthew 26:36–38Matthew 11:28–302 Corinthians 12:7–10Psalm 55:22🔗Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled🌐 More resources:https://kathrinshaffer.comIf you know someone who's been carrying far too much for far too long, share this episode with them. Maybe they don't need another person telling them how strong they are.Maybe they need someone to remind them they don't always have to be.

What happens when something in your life really does end?Maybe it was a relationship, a season, an opportunity, a plan you were certain would work out, or even a failure of your own making. Sometimes there is no going back to the way things were. The stump remains. The loss was real. But does the ending of one thing mean God has stopped working?In S2 E156 of Unpolished but Called, we're looking at Naomi, Joseph, Peter, and a tree in the book of Job to explore what Scripture says about loss, failure, grief, restoration, and moving forward with God when life doesn't look the way we thought it would.Naomi believed she had returned home empty, yet she couldn't see what God would eventually do through Ruth. Joseph couldn't see God's purpose from the pit or the prison. And Peter—after boldly declaring that he would never deny Jesus—failed Him in the very way he believed he never would. Yet Christ met Peter on the other side of that failure and called him forward.This isn't a promise that everything you lose will be restored, that every painful situation will work out the way you want, or that your “comeback is coming.” Scripture doesn't promise us that.But it does give us something far greater:The ending of one thing does not mean the end of God's faithfulness.And ultimately, our hope isn't found in getting our old lives back. Our hope is found in Jesus Christ—the One who died, was buried, and rose again. Because of Him, even death doesn't get the final word.Scripture ReferencesEcclesiastes 3:1–4Ruth 1:19–21Ruth 4:13–17Genesis 50:19–20Matthew 26:33–35Luke 22:60–62John 21:15–17Job 14:7–91 Corinthians 15:20–22🌐 Websitehttps://kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/kathrinshaffer📚 Books & Bible StudiesAvailable through my website and Amazon.📬 Walking It Out with KathrinJoin my FREE weekly newsletter for more faith-filled encouragement and resources.If this episode brought someone to mind who's walking through an ending of their own, consider sharing it with them. Maybe they don't need someone promising that everything will magically work out. Maybe they simply need someone to remind them:There is still hope.

What does God actually ask of a pastor?Most of us hear a sermon once or twice a week, but we rarely stop to consider the burden carried long before anyone steps behind the pulpit. Faithful shepherds aren't simply preparing messages—they're praying for people, studying God's Word, grieving with those who grieve, rejoicing with those who rejoice, and watching over souls they know ultimately belong to Christ.In this episode of Unpolished but Called, we explore what Scripture teaches about the calling of a shepherd, the compassion of Christ, the burden carried by Jeremiah and Paul, and why God calls pastors to faithfully feed His flock. We'll also look at the church's responsibility toward those who labor in the Word and how a simple word of encouragement can strengthen someone carrying an unseen weight.Whether you're a pastor, a church leader, or simply someone who loves your local church, I hope this conversation helps you better understand the heart of biblical shepherding and encourages you to pray for those God has called to care for His people.Scripture References1 Peter 5:2–4Hebrews 13:17Matthew 9:36–38Jeremiah 20:9Romans 9:1–32 Corinthians 11:282 Timothy 4:2–4Romans 12:151 Thessalonians 5:12–131 Timothy 5:17John 21:15–17🌐 Websitehttps://kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/kathrinshaffer📚 Books & Bible StudiesAvailable on my website and Amazon.📬 Join my FREE weekly newsletter – Walking It Out with KathrinIf this episode encouraged you, would you consider sharing it with someone? You never know who may need the reminder to pray for and encourage the shepherds faithfully caring for God's flock.

We often think about stewarding our money, our time, our talents, and our spiritual gifts.But have you ever considered that God has also entrusted people to your care?In this episode of Unpolished but Called, we explore what it means to faithfully steward the relationships God has placed in our lives. In a culture that often treats relationships as opportunities for networking, influence, and personal gain, Scripture points us toward a very different way of living.Together we'll look at how Jesus consistently noticed the people everyone else overlooked, why the Kingdom of God values people differently than the world does, and how we may be missing some of God's greatest blessings simply because they didn't look valuable by worldly standards.Perhaps the people you've been praying for are already sitting around your dinner table, beside you at church, or quietly walking through life with you every day.Scripture ReferencesProverbs 16:9Acts 17:26–27Philippians 2:3–4Romans 12:10Mark 10:46–52Luke 14:12–14James 2:1–41 Thessalonians 5:111 Peter 4:8–10🔗 Connect with Me🌐 Websitehttps://kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/kathrinshaffer📚 Books & Bible StudiesAvailable on my website and Amazon.📬 Join my FREE weekly newsletter – Walking It Out with KathrinFind my podcast, books, newsletter, social media, and more through my Linktree.

Technology has changed the way we access biblical teaching.Today we can listen to sermons on YouTube, watch church livestreams, follow Bible studies online, and stay connected through podcasts from almost anywhere in the world. These tools have become incredible gifts for sharing the Gospel and encouraging believers.But they also raise an important question.Can church actually happen through a screen?In this episode of Unpolished but Called, we're not asking whether God can use technology—we know He can. Instead, we're opening Scripture together to explore what God designed the local church to be.We'll look at the early church in Acts, Paul's teaching about the body of Christ, the "one another" commands throughout the New Testament, and why gathering together has always been central to the Christian life. We'll also discuss when online ministry becomes a tremendous blessing, when it can quietly become a substitute, and why the local church is about far more than simply consuming biblical content.This isn't a conversation about condemning livestreams or podcasts.It's a conversation about remembering God's design for His Church.Scripture References1 Corinthians 12:12–27Romans 12:4–5Acts 2:42–47Hebrews 10:24–25Ephesians 4:11–16Philippians 1:12–18Galatians 6:2James 5:16Romans 12:101 Thessalonians 5:11Luke 9:23Matthew 16:24Philippians 2:3–4Matthew 16:181 Peter 4:8–10Galatians 5:13Ephesians 2:19–22🔗 Connect with Me🌐 Websitehttps://kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/kathrinshaffer📚 Books & Bible StudiesAvailable on my website and Amazon.📬 Join my FREE weekly newsletter — Walking It Out with KathrinFind my podcast, books, newsletter, social media, and more through my Linktree.

Have we unintentionally become selective about which parts of God's character we're willing to talk about?We often celebrate God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness—and we should. But what about His holiness? His justice? His righteousness? His call to repentance?In this episode of Unpolished but Called, we explore the difference between the God we like and the God who has revealed Himself in Scripture. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible presents one unchanging God whose holiness and love, justice and mercy, righteousness and grace exist together in perfect harmony.We'll examine why the Old Testament is filled with mercy, why Jesus didn't lower God's standard, and why the cross only makes sense when we understand the full character of God.Scripture ReferencesJohn 14:9Genesis 3:21Genesis 6:8Psalm 51:1–2Jonah 4:2Matthew 5:21–22Matthew 5:27–28Matthew 5:44Luke 9:23Malachi 3:6Hebrews 13:82 Timothy 3:16–17🔗 Connect with Me🌐 Websitehttps://kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/kathrinshaffer📚 Books & Bible StudiesAvailable on my website and Amazon.📬 Join my FREE weekly newsletterWalking It Out with Kathrin🎁 Free resources, downloads, podcast updates, and more:https://linktr.ee/kathrinshafferIf today's episode encouraged you, consider sharing it with a friend, leaving a review, or subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts. Your support helps more people discover biblical conversations that point people back to Christ.Until next time... keep walking faithfully, keep seeking truth, and remember... God doesn't call perfect people. He calls willing ones.

Everyone can identify problems.Whether it's in our homes, workplaces, communities, or churches, it's often easy to see what isn't working. But after we've identified the problem, what comes next?In this episode of Unpolished but Called, we explore the difference between biblical concern and habitual complaining, why gossip so often begins with unresolved frustration, and how Scripture calls believers to pursue restoration instead of simply recruiting agreement.Looking at passages from Philippians, Matthew, Acts, James, Ephesians, and Hebrews, we ask an honest question:Are my words helping build Christ's church... or quietly tearing it down?This isn't a conversation about pretending churches are perfect. It's about learning how to respond to imperfect situations in a way that reflects the heart of Christ.In this episode:• Why complaining often feels productive—but rarely produces change• How unresolved frustration can become gossip• What Jesus teaches in Matthew 18 about addressing conflict• How the early church handled legitimate complaints• Three questions to ask before speaking• Building unity instead of division• Becoming part of the solution God desiresScripture• Philippians 2:14–15• Matthew 18:15–17• James 1:19–20• Acts 6:1–4• James 1:5• Ephesians 4:29–32• Hebrews 10:24–25🌐 Website & FREE Devotionalhttps://kathrinshaffer.com📚 Following Jesus (Without Feeling Lost)Subscribe to my weekly newsletter and receive 15% off the digital edition of my beginner Bible study workbook.🔗 Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalledIf you're looking for more than podcast episodes, I also send a weekly email called Walking It Out with Kathrin, where I share biblical encouragement, reflections, and practical ways to keep walking with Christ throughout the week.If this conversation encouraged you, don't forget to subscribe so we can continue growing together as we follow Jesus—one conversation at a time.

Have we become so familiar with sin that we've stopped noticing it?In Jeremiah 6, God wasn't simply addressing the sins of His people—He was revealing something even more concerning. Their hearts had become so desensitized that they were no longer ashamed. Jeremiah says they "couldn't even blush."In this episode of Unpolished but Called, we explore how constant exposure can slowly reshape our sensitivity, how a conscience becomes numb over time, and why maintaining a tender heart before God is one of the greatest blessings a believer can have.This isn't a conversation about condemning the world. It's an invitation to examine our own hearts and ask whether we're still listening when God speaks.In this episode:• What Jeremiah meant by "they could not blush"• How exposure changes our sensitivity• Spiritual adaptation and conformity• The danger of a hardened heart• Why conviction is evidence of spiritual life• David's response to correction• Keeping a tender heart before God📖 Scriptures• Jeremiah 6:13–15• Romans 12:2• Proverbs 28:13• John 16:8• Psalm 51:10• Ezekiel 36:26🌐 Website & FREE Devotionalhttps://kathrinshaffer.com📚 Following Jesus (Without Feeling Lost)Get 15% off the digital Bible study workbook through my website for a limited time.🔗 Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalledIf you're looking for more than podcast episodes, I also send a weekly email called Walking It Out with Kathrin, where I share biblical reflections, encouragement, and what God has been teaching me throughout the week.If this conversation encouraged you, consider subscribing so we can continue growing together as we follow Jesus one conversation at a time.

When does a legitimate concern become gossip?As Christians, we often say things like, "I'm just concerned," or "Can you pray about something?" But sometimes concern can quietly become gossip, and gossip can even hide behind the words "prayer request."In this episode of Unpolished but Called, we open God's Word to explore the difference between seeking wise counsel and spreading information, when it's appropriate to speak up, when we should stay silent, and how our motives reveal the posture of our hearts.This isn't about condemnation—it's about learning to love others well, pursue restoration, and guard our words with biblical wisdom.In this episode:• When concern becomes gossip• What the Bible says about gossip• Legitimate concern vs. spreading information• Seeking counsel or building a jury• Why Matthew 18 still matters• Can prayer requests become gossip?• Questions to ask before speaking• Speaking truth with grace and wisdom📖 Scriptures• Proverbs 11:13• Proverbs 17:9• Proverbs 31:8–9• Matthew 18:15• James 3:5–6• Proverbs 26:20• Proverbs 15:22• Galatians 6:1• Ephesians 4:15• 1 John 1:9• Ephesians 4:29🌐 Website & FREE Devotionalhttps://kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalledIf this conversation encouraged or challenged you, I'd love for you to subscribe and join me each week as we open God's Word and have honest conversations about following Jesus.

Can someone really sell their soul to the devil, or is that just a phrase we've accepted without asking what the Bible actually says?In this episode of Unpolished but Called, we leave behind Hollywood myths and popular culture to examine what Scripture teaches about God as our Creator, Satan's desire for worship, spiritual deception, and why knowing God's Word is our greatest protection.This conversation isn't meant to magnify darkness—it points us back to the hope, truth, and redemption found in Jesus Christ.In this episode:• Can someone really sell their soul?• Who does your life belong to?• Why does Satan seek worship?• Why does God warn us about the occult?• How deception works• Why Christians must know Scripture• The hope of redemption through Jesus Christ📖 Scriptures• Psalm 100:3• Matthew 4:8–10• Deuteronomy 18:10–12• John 8:44• Colossians 1:13–14• Joshua 24:15• Romans 12:1🌐 Website & FREE Devotionalhttps://kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/kathrinshafferIf this episode encouraged you, I'd love for you to subscribe and join me each week as we open God's Word together and have honest conversations about following Jesus.

Have you ever noticed how quickly we move on to the next prayer, the next goal, or the next project?In this episode, I share a lesson God taught me while assembling the very first Birthday Project kits for our local food bank. As I prayed over each kit, I realized something: sometimes the blessing isn't reaching the finish line—it's slowing down long enough to recognize God's faithfulness throughout the journey.We'll talk about gratitude, God's provision, and why learning to sit with His blessings may be one of the greatest acts of worship we can offer.In this episode:• Why we rush past God's blessings• Learning to recognize God's faithfulness in everyday moments• How gratitude changes our perspective• Why the journey can be just as meaningful as the destination• Worshiping God through ordinary acts of obedience📖 Scriptures• Psalm 46:10• James 1:17• Psalm 103:1–5• Luke 10:41–42• Colossians 3:17• 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18🌐 Website & FREE Devotionalhttps://kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/kathrinshafferIf this episode encouraged you, I'd love for you to subscribe and join me each week as we walk through God's Word together.

Who Told You That You Were the Black Sheep? | Unpolished but Called | Ep. 146Have you ever been called the black sheep?For some people, that label comes because of past mistakes. But for others, it's simply because they refused to accept unhealthy patterns, questioned the dysfunction around them, or chose a different path.In this episode of Unpolished but Called, we explore what it really means to be the "black sheep," why labels are never our identity, and how Jesus never defines us by the names other people give us. Instead, the Good Shepherd calls His sheep by name and invites them into His flock through redemption and grace.If you've ever felt like you didn't belong, I hope this conversation reminds you that your identity isn't found in other people's opinions—it's found in Christ.Scripture Referenced:John 10:3Luke 15:4-6Isaiah 1:182 Corinthians 5:17📖 Website & FREE 5-Day Devotionalhttps://kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/kathrinshaffer

Can a Sermon Really Convict You? | Unpolished but Called | Ep. 145Have you ever said, “That sermon really convicted me”?We say it all the time, but who is really doing the convicting? In this episode of Unpolished but Called, we talk about the difference between the messenger and the Holy Spirit, why people can speak truth but only God can change the heart, and how that takes pressure off us as believers.We also talk about the difference between conviction and condemnation, why conviction draws us closer to Christ, and why our job is obedience while the Holy Spirit does what only He can do.Scripture Referenced:• John 16:8• Romans 8:1• Zechariah 4:6📖 Website & FREE Devotionalhttps://kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/kathrinshaffer

The Side of the Tapestry We Never SeeHave you ever looked at your life and wondered why nothing seems to make sense?In this episode of Unpolished but Called, I share a powerful illustration that reminded me how often we only see the tangled threads of our lives while God sees the finished design. We talk about unanswered prayers, seasons of waiting, suffering, faith, and why trusting the One weaving the tapestry is sometimes the hardest—and most important—part of the Christian walk.If you're walking through a difficult season, I pray this conversation encourages you to keep trusting God even when all you can see are loose threads.Scripture Referenced:• Romans 8:28• Isaiah 55:8-9• Philippians 1:6🌐 Website & Free Devotional: https://kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kathrinshaffer

Have you ever stopped to ask whether something is truly taught in Scripture—or whether it's simply a tradition, preference, or opinion we've grown accustomed to?In this episode of Unpolished But Called, we explore the difference between biblical doctrine and personal conviction. Christians often hold strong opinions about worship styles, Bible translations, church traditions, and countless other topics. While many of those preferences can be meaningful, they shouldn't carry the same authority as God's Word.We'll look at what Scripture says about testing what we believe, holding our convictions with humility, and making sure we're pointing people to Christ rather than our own preferences.The goal isn't to win arguments—it's to love truth enough to keep asking good questions.Scripture referenced:Acts 17:11Romans 14:1–5Colossians 2:20–23Mark 7:6–92 Timothy 2:15If you're looking for more than podcast episodes, I also send a free weekly newsletter called Walking It Out with Kathrin.🔗 Website & Free Devotional: https://kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled

Have you ever looked back and realized there were prayers you're actually thankful God didn't answer?In this episode of Unpolished But Called, I share how one unanswered prayer completely changed my perspective on God's timing. Sometimes we pray for open doors, immediate answers, or easier circumstances, only to discover much later that God's "no" wasn't rejection—it was mercy.We'll look at Jonah, Esther, and the words of Jesus to explore how God's answers often require obedience, trust, and surrender rather than immediate comfort. We'll also talk about stewardship, carrying our cross daily, and finding peace even when life doesn't get easier.Sometimes the greatest evidence of God's faithfulness isn't the prayer He answered—it's the one He lovingly refused.Scripture referenced:James 1:22Esther 4:14Luke 9:23John 14:27If you're looking for more than podcast episodes, I also send a free weekly email called Walking It Out with Kathrin.🌐 Website & Free Devotional: https://kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled

Have you ever noticed how quickly we assume what someone believes before we've actually asked them?In this episode of Unpolished But Called, I reflect on a recent conversation from my YouTube comments that reminded me how easy it is to jump to conclusions. Instead of assuming someone's heart, motives, or beliefs, what if we chose curiosity first?We'll explore the difference between biblical doctrine and personal preference, why not every disagreement is a doctrinal issue, and how humility creates space for real conversations. Using Romans 14, Mark 7, and Ephesians 4, we'll look at what Scripture says about unity, tradition, and keeping Christ at the center of our discussions.The goal isn't to win arguments. It's to point people toward Jesus with both truth and grace.Scripture referenced:Romans 14:1Mark 7:8Ephesians 4:2–3If you're looking for more than podcast episodes, I also send a free weekly email called Walking It Out with Kathrin. You can subscribe through my website:🌐Website & Free Devotional: https://kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled

When God's Answers Bring ResponsibilityWe often pray for answers. We ask God for clarity, direction, and wisdom. But what happens when He answers... and that answer asks something of us?In this episode, I share a personal realization from this week about stewardship, obedience, and why God's answers don't always bring the relief we expect. Sometimes they invite us into a new season of responsibility, growth, and faith.In this episode:• Why we celebrate answers until they change our lives• The difference between hearing God's Word and living it• What Jonah, Esther, and Jesus teach us about obedience• Why peace and an easy life are not the same thing• How God often answers our prayers by inviting us to growScripture References:• James 1:22• Esther 4:14• Luke 9:23• John 14:27🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled

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 brokenWhy Jesus never promised a life without sufferingWhen God sustains us instead of removing the trialWhat Job teaches us about unanswered questionsMy own reflections on recovery, peace, anxiety, and faithWhy suffering does not get the final wordScripture References:Romans 8:22John 16:332 Corinthians 12:9🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled

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 journeyScripture References:• Proverbs 3:5-6• Psalm 23:1-3🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled

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 personalThe difference between disagreement and rejectionHow we tie our identity to our opinionsWanting validation instead of genuine discussionSocial media, division, and "team mentality"Learning to disagree without hostilityPersonal reflections from online conversationsResponding with truth, humility, and graceScripture References:Romans 14:1Ephesians 4:2-3Proverbs 15:1🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled#ChristianPodcast #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #BiblicalWisdom #Romans14 #ChristianEncouragement #SpiritualGrowth #HealthyConversations #UnpolishedButCalled

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 everythingThe difference between information and wisdomHow social media rewards instant reactionsWhy Jesus didn't answer every questionLearning when to speak and when to stay silentThe freedom of saying "I don't know"Personal reflections on debate, growth, and humilityScripture References:Proverbs 17:28Ecclesiastes 3:7🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled#ChristianPodcast #BiblicalWisdom #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #Proverbs1728 #Ecclesiastes37 #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianEncouragement #UnpolishedButCalled

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 informationThe stories we create when we don't know the whole pictureHow fear fuels assumptions and unnecessary hurtGiving people the benefit of the doubtLearning to respond with compassion instead of suspicionPersonal reflections on anxiety, relationships, and people-pleasingScripture References:Proverbs 18:131 Corinthians 13:7🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled#ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #ChristianEncouragement #Proverbs1813 #FaithAndGrowth #ChristianLiving #Mindset #BiblicalWisdom #UnpolishedButCalled

Are We Listening to Understand or Just Waiting to Respond?Have you ever noticed that sometimes we stop listening halfway through a conversation because we've already started preparing our response?In this episode, I reflect on a recent conversation where I realized I had already built my rebuttal before fully understanding what the other person was trying to say. That experience led me to explore what Scripture teaches about listening, assumptions, judging motives, and the difference between hearing words and truly understanding another person.We'll look at James 1:19, Proverbs 18:13, and why so many conversations break down before they ever have a chance to become meaningful.In this episode:·         The difference between hearing and listening·         Why we often fill in the blanks before asking questions·         Assumptions, motives, and social media conversations·         Understanding without agreement·         Why people often want to be heard more than corrected·         What James 1:19 teaches about communication📖 Scripture References:James 1:19Proverbs 18:13Philippians 2:3-4🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled#ChristianPodcast #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #Communication #BibleStudy

Why Are We So Busy Fixing Everyone Else?It's easy to see what's wrong with everyone else. It's much harder to examine our own hearts. In this episode, I explore why we're often quick to correct, critique, and point fingers while overlooking the work God may be trying to do in us.Drawing from Scripture and personal reflection, we'll discuss listening, humility, self-examination, and why not every observation is an assignment.In this episode:Matthew 7 and the beam in our own eyeWhy correcting others can feel productiveBeing right versus being helpfulHumility and self-examinationFocusing on your own assignment🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled#ChristianPodcast #ChristianGrowth #FaithJourney #Humility #ChristianLiving

Why Do We Keep Moving The Finish Line?Have you ever noticed that the things you once prayed for can become the things you barely notice? We reach one milestone, then immediately focus on the next. Before long, we're standing in the middle of answered prayers while wondering why we're still dissatisfied.In this episode, I talk about contentment, gratitude, ambition, and why we often forget what God has already done in our lives.In this episode:Moving the finish lineContentment and gratitudeRecognizing answered prayersGod's blessings and our expectationsLearning to appreciate the season you're in🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled#ChristianPodcast #Contentment #FaithJourney #AnsweredPrayer #ChristianLiving

Can Christians Be Ambitious Without Losing The Plot?Is ambition a bad thing? Or does the problem begin when ambition becomes our identity?In this episode, I explore the tension between pursuing goals, building something meaningful, and keeping Christ at the center. We'll talk about success, purpose, calling, and what it means to chase the right things for the right reasons.In this episode:Ambition and faithSuccess versus purposeBuilding without losing perspectiveGoals, calling, and identityKeeping Christ at the center🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled#ChristianPodcast #ChristianGrowth #FaithJourney #Purpose #ChristianLiving

Why Is Someone Else's Blessing So Hard To Celebrate?Most of us would never admit it, but sometimes celebrating someone else's success is harder than we expect. Comparison quietly sneaks in, and before long we're questioning our own journey.In this episode, I talk about comparison, gratitude, waiting seasons, and how learning to celebrate others can transform our perspective on God's work in our own lives.In this episode:Comparison and contentmentCelebrating others genuinelyWaiting on God's timingGratitude during difficult seasonsTrusting God's plan for your life🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled#ChristianPodcast #Contentment #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #GodsTiming

Why Do Christians Treat Confidence Like Pride?Is confidence always pride? Or have we become uncomfortable with confidence because we've confused it with arrogance?In this episode, I explore the difference between pride and confidence, why many Christians struggle with boldness, and what Scripture teaches about knowing who we are in Christ without making everything about ourselves.In this episode:Confidence versus arroganceWhy Christians sometimes shrink backIdentity in ChristWalking in faith without self-glorificationHealthy confidence and humility🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled#ChristianPodcast #ChristianGrowth #FaithJourney #ConfidenceInChrist #ChristianLiving

What Happens When God Changes Your Direction?We all have plans. Career plans. Family plans. Ministry plans. Then life happens. Sometimes God changes the direction we thought we were heading, and suddenly we're forced to trust Him in ways we never expected.In this episode, I share reflections from my own recovery journey and discuss what happens when our plans fall apart, why God often works through interruptions, and how faith grows when we only see the next step instead of the whole map.In this episode:When life doesn't go according to planLearning to trust God in unexpected seasonsWhy interruptions often become part of God's purposeMy experience navigating recovery and uncertaintyFaith in the next step🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled#ChristianPodcast #FaithOverFear #TrustGod #ChristianEncouragement #FaithJourney

Why Do Christians Make Everything So Complicated?Jesus said, "Follow me." Simple words. Yet somewhere along the way, Christianity became layered with debates, labels, opinions, traditions, and endless arguments. In this episode, I talk about why following Jesus often feels more complicated than it needs to be, how social media can overwhelm new believers, and why getting into God's Word for yourself matters more than following every online voice.In this episode:Why Christianity sometimes feels overwhelmingThe difference between following Jesus and following personalitiesSocial media theology and information overloadWhy I created The Long Way Through ScriptureReturning to the simple invitation of Christ🔗 Website: kathrinshaffer.com🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled#ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #FollowJesus #BibleStudy #ChristianLiving

Welcome to Unpolished but Called, where we have honest conversations about faith, Scripture, and what it looks like to follow Jesus in real life.In this episode, we're talking about a question many Christians eventually face:Why does everyone online sound like a Bible expert?From YouTube and TikTok to podcasts and Facebook, there are more voices teaching Scripture than ever before. The challenge isn't finding information—it's knowing who to trust when every person sounds confident and every answer sounds certain.As a newer Christian, I've wrestled with this myself. How do we learn from others without outsourcing our faith? How do we avoid being overwhelmed by endless opinions and conflicting interpretations?In this conversation, we'll talk about why social media rewards certainty, why being teachable matters, and why opening your Bible for yourself is still one of the most important things you can do.📖 Scripture should always lead us back to God's Word.🔗Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled📧 Subscribe to the newsletter and receive the free devotional:kathrinshaffer.com🎙️ Listen to The Long Way Through Scripture Bible Study Podcast❤️ Support the podcast and ministry resources through the website.If you're enjoying these conversations, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss future episodes.#ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #Discipleship #UnpolishedButCalled

Welcome to Unpolished but Called, where we have honest conversations about faith, real life, and following Jesus in the middle of messy seasons.In this episode, we're talking about a subject many Christians struggle to discuss openly:Why are Christians so uncomfortable with mental health?We often know how to respond to physical illness, but conversations about anxiety, depression, trauma, therapy, grief, and emotional struggles can feel much more complicated. Why is that?In this episode, I share some of my own journey following my stroke, what led me to seek therapy, and why I believe faith and mental health support can coexist. We'll talk about the difference between spiritual struggles and mental health challenges, the importance of being honest when we're hurting, and why church should be a safe place for healing rather than a place where people feel pressured to pretend they're okay.You can love Jesus deeply and still struggle.You can trust God and still ask for help.And sometimes healing begins when we're honest enough to admit we need it.🔗Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled📧 Subscribe to the newsletter and receive the free devotional:kathrinshaffer.com🎙️ Listen to The Long Way Through Scripture Bible Study Podcast❤️ Support the podcast and ministry resources through the website.If you're enjoying these conversations, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss future episodes.#ChristianPodcast #MentalHealth #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #Therapy #UnpolishedButCalled

Welcome to Unpolished but Called, where we have honest conversations about faith, real life, and what it looks like to follow Jesus while you're still figuring things out.In this episode, we're talking about a question many Christians wrestle with:Why are Christians afraid to ask questions?Whether you're new to faith or you've been in church for years, there can be pressure to act like you already know the answers. We worry about sounding uninformed, asking the wrong thing, being corrected, or having people question our faith.But how are we supposed to learn if we're too afraid to ask?In this conversation, I share some of my own experiences as a newer Christian, the questions I've wrestled with, the challenges of finding trustworthy mentors, and why healthy Christian conversations should create space for curiosity, learning, and growth.Faith isn't pretending you know everything.Sometimes faith is trusting God enough to ask honest questions.🔗Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled📧 Subscribe to the newsletter and receive the free devotional:kathrinshaffer.com🎙️ Listen to The Long Way Through Scripture Bible Study Podcast❤️ Support the podcast and ministry resources through the website.If you're enjoying these conversations, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss future episodes.#ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #ChristianLiving #Discipleship #BibleStudy #UnpolishedButCalled

Welcome to Unpolished but Called, where we have honest conversations about faith, Scripture, and what it looks like to follow Jesus in real life.In this episode, we're talking about something that seems to happen everywhere—online, in churches, and even among Christians who love Jesus:Why are Christians so quick to pick sides?Whether the conversation is about women pastors, Bible translations, worship styles, denominations, spiritual gifts, or theology, it often feels like people rush to choose a team before they've even had a conversation.But what happens when conviction becomes tribalism?In this episode, we talk about the difference between standing firm on essential biblical truths and turning every disagreement into a battle. We'll explore why social media often fuels division, why respectful conversations matter, and how Christians can disagree on secondary issues without treating one another like enemies.Truth matters.But how we treat each other matters too.Can Christians disagree and still be family?Let's talk about it.🔗Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled📧 Subscribe to the newsletter and receive the free devotional:kathrinshaffer.com🎙️ Listen to The Long Way Through Scripture Bible Study Podcast❤️ Support the podcast and ministry resources through the website.If you're enjoying these conversations, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss future episodes.#ChristianPodcast #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #Discipleship #BibleStudy #UnpolishedButCalled

Welcome to Unpolished but Called, where we have honest conversations about faith, real life, and following Jesus through both the good and the difficult seasons.In this episode, we're continuing a conversation many Christians eventually face:What happens when Christians disappoint you?Whether it's a pastor, mentor, musician, influencer, friend, or someone who helped shape your faith, disappointment can cut deep. When trust is broken, it's easy to become cynical, guarded, or even question everything that came before.But does someone's failure erase the good they once brought into your life?In this episode, we talk about disappointment, discernment, rebuilding trust, and why allowing hurt to harden our hearts can sometimes create even deeper wounds. We'll explore the difference between church hurt and disappointment, why imperfect people can still impact our lives in meaningful ways, and how God can use disappointment to mature our faith rather than destroy it.People will fail us.Jesus won't.And sometimes the lesson isn't learning to trust nobody. Sometimes it's learning who deserves our deepest trust in the first place.🔗Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled📧 Subscribe to the newsletter and receive the free devotional:kathrinshaffer.com🎙️ Listen to The Long Way Through Scripture Bible Study Podcast❤️ Support the podcast and ministry resources through the website.If you're enjoying these conversations, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss future episodes.#ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #ChristianLiving #ChurchHurt #Discipleship #UnpolishedButCalled