Story & Lesson Highlights with Ryan Shieh of Lynchburg, Virginia

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ryan Shieh. Check out our conversation below.

Ryan, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Right when I wake up in the morning, I’ve made it a practice to turn on worship music and set the tone for my spiritual health for that day. The Enemy’s number one goal is to distract and divide us from what we believe, and without a good start the day’s twists and turns will begin to disrupt what I know to be true about God’s character. I’ll usually worship, read my Bible, and sit with God for some time.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Ryan Shieh and I currently am an author, a speaker and preacher, and a podcast host of The Refining Flame at Liberty University’s School of Divinity. I specialize in preaching the Bible and sharing God’s Word, as well as writing books with my next one coming out in January of 2026. I also host the Refining Flame, which is a university-wide podcast for young adults designed to highlight stories of refinement from other Christian leaders and figures from round the world.

I also used to play college baseball, which is a big part of my story and testimony. I originally thought that I would’ve been playing baseball the rest of my life, but the Lord radically changed my plans and gave me a call to serve in ministry. I have been loving his church and his people ever since, creating resources and speaking into the next generation as we see revival happening recently all over the country.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Just recently, I went through a very confusing season of doubts and questioning with God. I had wanted to do something in particular in ministry, and everything seemed to be confirming in that direction, to ultimately it not happening at all. I was pretty disappointed, and began to wonder what God really wants me to do with my life.

It was in that moment that I learned a very valuable lesson – God’s plans are far greater than my own, and more often than not his timing is way different than my own. We can make plans and try to track progress and project the future, but ultimately the best thing we can do is surrender our lives to a loving and sovereign God and Father. This is what has led me to be able to do what I do now!

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering is a beautiful thing, because it allows you to reach a point of dependence that success never would’ve created. I’m reminded of the Scripture in Hebrews where the writer notes that Jesus “learned obedience through the things in which he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). God often meets us in the valley, where he creates a surrender in us that only chaos could’ve cultivated.

For me, I’ve quickly learned that weakness is a strength. Nobody has their life all figured out. We all have things we’re struggling with and going through, and the more real we can be, the better we are at connecting with others. Plus, God specializes in using our weaknesses to showcase his strengths.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I try to live as authentically as I can. It can be easy to try and play a part and appear a certain way for social media and the general crowd, but at the end of the day people want to know the real you. Everyone is impressed with the fake you and your A-list type life on social media, but only through vulnerability and realness can people connect with you on a relational level. My goal has never been to impress people, but to connect with them to ultimately point them back to the king, Jesus Christ.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
A big part of my story is that I tried to indulge in all the things I had to offer. When I was in college, I spent numerous months living a reckless life and trying to fill the void of my heart with worldly things. After feeling empty time and time again, I finally realized that nothing can satisfy my soul like Jesus can. No relationship, or dollar amount, or level of success can fill the eternity-size void we all have in our hearts. Ever since then, I’ve completely sold myself out for Jesus and the gospel and my life has never been the same.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Betting on the Brightside: Developing and Fostering Optimism

Optimism is like magic – it has the power to make the impossible a reality

Highlighter Series
What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?

There is no one path – to success or even to New York (or Kansas).

Leadership Development
Finding & Living with Purpose

Over the years we’ve had the good fortunate of speaking with thousands of successful entrepreneurs,