What happens when you don't understand what God is doing, but choose to trust Him anyway?

Jeff Achen has lived a lot of life.

Raised Catholic, Jeff joined the Navy after high school, served aboard a guided missile cruiser, traveled to holy sites in Israel and Rome, served in the Peace Corps in Nepal, became a journalist, and eventually built his own business.

Through each chapter, his faith remained a foundation.

But today, Jeff is walking through one of the most painful seasons of his life: divorce.

In this episode of Why I Believe, Jeff shares honestly about grief, unanswered prayers, seeing his children only half the time, and learning that trusting God doesn't always mean understanding why something happened.

He also shares the moments when God has reminded him that He is still there, from unexpected financial provision at exactly the right time to hearing his 11-year-old son pray over him when he needed it most.

And when Jeff found himself wrestling with whether his anger was justified, one verse in James gave him an answer he wasn't expecting.

Through military service, loss, uncertainty, and healing, Jeff has learned something:

Sometimes you have to trust God when it doesn't make sense...

and let Him surprise you.

In this episode, we talk about:

🙏 Faith during military service
🙏 How life experiences can mature our relationship with God
🙏 Navigating divorce and grief with faith
🙏 Trusting God when prayers aren't answered the way we hoped
🙏 Recognizing God speaking through other people
🙏 God's provision in unexpected moments
🙏 Righteous anger, forgiveness, mercy, and grace
🙏 Learning to surrender when we don't understand

Jeff reminds us that God may not answer on our timeline, or in the way we expect.

But He is still speaking.

We just have to listen.

🎙️ Listen to Jeff Achen: Let God Surprise You on the Why I Believe podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts.

Real Stories. Real Faith. Real Impact.

You can reach Jeff Achen at Jeff Achen | LinkedIn

Want to share your story?

Michelle is currently accepting guest applications for Why I Believe.

👉 Apply here: https://www.michellevonruden.com/whyibelieve-apply

Ready to take the next step?

If you're feeling called to grow deeper in your faith, identity, or purpose, Michelle would be honored to walk alongside you.

👉 Book a conversation: Book Your Discovery Call with Michelle Von Ruden
👉 Learn more about coaching: Von Ruden Coaching and Consulting LLC- INDIVIDUALS

Remember, you don't have to be perfect to be called.
You don't have to have it all figured out to say yes.

God will meet you right where you are.

"You are the light of the world." — Matthew 5:14

In this week's Faithful Friday, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Matthew with Matthew 5:13–16 — Salt and Light.

Jesus reminds us that we aren't meant to hide the light we've been given.

We are called to let it shine.

Not so that the attention points back to us, but so that through our lives, our words, our actions, and the way we love others, people can see something different—and ultimately see Him.

This week's reflection question is:

How can I reflect Christ's light to someone this week?

Maybe it's through an encouraging word.

An act of kindness.

Forgiveness.

Serving someone who needs help.

Or simply being fully present with someone who needs to know they aren't alone.

Pause. Pray. Listen.

Then ask God:

What do You want me to understand?
Where are You calling me to grow?
What step do You want me to take next?

📖 Scripture: Matthew 5:13–16

Want to share your story?

Michelle is currently accepting guest applications for Why I Believe.

👉 Apply here: https://www.michellevonruden.com/whyibelieve-apply

Ready to take the next step?

If you're feeling called to grow deeper in your faith, identity, or purpose, Michelle would be honored to walk alongside you.

👉 Book a conversation: Book Your Discovery Call with Michelle Von Ruden
👉 Learn more about coaching: Von Ruden Coaching and Consulting LLC- INDIVIDUALS

Remember, you don't have to be perfect to be called.
You don't have to have it all figured out to say yes.

God will meet you right where you are.

Real Stories. Real Faith. Real Impact.

What if God isn't simply part of your business; what if He's the CEO?

Philippa Channer is a wife, mom of three, business owner, and marketing strategist who helps female entrepreneurs think more strategically about growing their businesses.

But behind her own strategy is a question she has learned to keep asking:

God, what do You want me to do?

Philippa's faith journey began when she was 11 years old after her family found a Baptist church willing to help with her brother's wedding. What began as a practical need became a church home, a community, and the place where Philippa began to understand that faith wasn't simply about going to church.

She could have a relationship with Jesus.

That foundation followed her into adulthood, marriage, motherhood, and eventually entrepreneurship.

Today, Philippa is learning what it means to call herself the CEO on paper while recognizing that God is ultimately the One leading the business.

In this episode of Why I Believe, we talk about:

🙏 Inviting God into business decisions
🙏 The difference between praying and actually listening
🙏 What to do when God doesn't answer on our timeline
🙏 Recognizing His answers when they come through other people
🙏 Asking for confirmation when you're unsure
🙏 Bringing biblical principles into business
🙏 Building authentic Christian community
🙏 Letting go of the expectation that following Jesus means living a perfect life

Philippa compares prayer to making a phone call.

Sometimes you leave the message...

and you have to wait for the call back.

His timing isn't always ours.

But that doesn't mean He isn't listening.

And sometimes the answer comes through a conversation, a sermon, a podcast, an opportunity, or another person saying exactly what you've been praying about.

The question is:

Are we listening closely enough to recognize it?

🎧 Listen to Philippa Channer: God Is the CEO wherever you get your podcasts.

Real Stories. Real Faith. Real Impact.

You can reach Phillipa Channer at Philippa Channer, MBA | LinkedIn

Want to share your story?

Michelle is currently accepting guest applications for Why I Believe.

👉 Apply here: https://www.michellevonruden.com/whyibelieve-apply

Ready to take the next step?

If you're feeling called to grow deeper in your faith, identity, or purpose, Michelle would be honored to walk alongside you.

👉 Book a conversation: Book Your Discovery Call with Michelle Von Ruden
👉 Learn more about coaching: Von Ruden Coaching and Consulting LLC- INDIVIDUALS

Remember, you don't have to be perfect to be called.
You don't have to have it all figured out to say yes.

God will meet you right where you are.