Have 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 Devotional
https://kathrinshaffer.com

🔗 Linktree
https://linktr.ee/kathrinshaffer

Have 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 17:11
• Romans 14:1–5
• Colossians 2:20–23
• Mark 7:6–9
• 2 Timothy 2:15

If 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 1:22
• Esther 4:14
• Luke 9:23
• John 14:27

If 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 14:1
• Mark 7:8
• Ephesians 4:2–3

If 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

We 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 grow

Scripture 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 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
🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled

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

🔗 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 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

🔗 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 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

🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/unpolishedbutcalled

#ChristianPodcast #BiblicalWisdom #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #Proverbs1728 #Ecclesiastes37 #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianEncouragement #UnpolishedButCalled