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God Was Always Speaking, I Just Wasn't Listening: A Veteran's Journey from Suppression to Salvation
★ First-Place Winner, International Firebird Book Awards
★ International Book Awards Finalist
★ Readers' Favorite International Book Award – Honorable Mention
On a Wednesday afternoon in September, I was told a "low vibrational entity" had attached itself to me.
If that sounds crazy, I would have agreed with you a year earlier. Honestly, I would have been the first one backing slowly toward the exit.
I was a retired Navy Captain. A Commanding Officer. A husband. A father of three. I spent 24 years flying combat missions and leading sailors around the world. I coached my kids' sports on the weekends. I went to work. I came home. I provided.
From the outside, my life looked strong.
Inside, I was unraveling.
I had mastered compartmentalizing. Take the stress, seal it in a box, move on. Behind the discipline and the drive were depression, anxiety, and months of talking myself out of suicide. I didn't know how to admit I was drowning. I barely knew how to name it.
Wednesday broke me open. Thursday changed everything.
The next morning, I walked into a church I never planned to enter and asked a question I never imagined I would ask. I wasn't chasing faith or the supernatural. I was just looking for help.
This book is about the cost of holding it all together while falling apart inside. It explores doubt, the moments you can't chalk up to coincidence, and a trip to El Salvador where I went as a skeptic and stood in the middle of miracles I couldn't deny.
You may pick this up thinking it's someone else's story. By the end, you'll know it was written for you.
★ International Book Awards Finalist
★ Readers' Favorite International Book Award – Honorable Mention
On a Wednesday afternoon in September, I was told a "low vibrational entity" had attached itself to me.
If that sounds crazy, I would have agreed with you a year earlier. Honestly, I would have been the first one backing slowly toward the exit.
I was a retired Navy Captain. A Commanding Officer. A husband. A father of three. I spent 24 years flying combat missions and leading sailors around the world. I coached my kids' sports on the weekends. I went to work. I came home. I provided.
From the outside, my life looked strong.
Inside, I was unraveling.
I had mastered compartmentalizing. Take the stress, seal it in a box, move on. Behind the discipline and the drive were depression, anxiety, and months of talking myself out of suicide. I didn't know how to admit I was drowning. I barely knew how to name it.
Wednesday broke me open. Thursday changed everything.
The next morning, I walked into a church I never planned to enter and asked a question I never imagined I would ask. I wasn't chasing faith or the supernatural. I was just looking for help.
This book is about the cost of holding it all together while falling apart inside. It explores doubt, the moments you can't chalk up to coincidence, and a trip to El Salvador where I went as a skeptic and stood in the middle of miracles I couldn't deny.
You may pick this up thinking it's someone else's story. By the end, you'll know it was written for you.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 18, 2025
17 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 7, 2025
Powerful, inspirational, life changing story! I cried through many parts of this book. One of the things that made it so impactful for me is the fact that I know Ben’s parents, Cindy & Jeff personally. I grew up in Tatamy and am a lifelong friend of Cindy. During the summers, we played together, riding bikes all over the streets of Tatamy and swimming in her family’s pool. I knew Cindy’s parents, Betty & Stu…. Wonderfully kind people who always welcomed me into their home! Cindy and Jeff graduated a year before me from the same high school! And I’m still in touch with them, exchanging Christmas cards each year where we “ catch up” on our families and events. We text a few times also; I’ve seen pictures of Ben and his family even though I’ve never met them !
BUT….. I never knew what Ben was going through in the difficulties of his life. To read about his struggles and how he came to know God, and our Lord & savior, Jesus Christ, is nothing short of a miracle. I am also a devout Christian and I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit guiding us in everything we do. To read of the wonderful conversion that Ben experienced is so heartwarming!
If my review guides someone else to pick up this book, then the Spirit has stirred in them too. READ this beautiful story!!!
BUT….. I never knew what Ben was going through in the difficulties of his life. To read about his struggles and how he came to know God, and our Lord & savior, Jesus Christ, is nothing short of a miracle. I am also a devout Christian and I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit guiding us in everything we do. To read of the wonderful conversion that Ben experienced is so heartwarming!
If my review guides someone else to pick up this book, then the Spirit has stirred in them too. READ this beautiful story!!!
March 21, 2025
God Was Always Speaking, I Just Wasn't Listening: A Veteran's Journey from Suppression to Salvation was a quick and easy read. Ben Duelley writes like you are friends and sitting next to him in comfy chairs, maybe drinking coffee, and he is telling you his story. Every time you think you know what is coming next, I am guessing you don't get it right, or not the extent of what happened next. You don't have to be a veteran or a Christian to appreciate the journey Ben was on. I can imagine his story helping many people who have struggles, hit some bumps in the road, or are just looking for some direction. You may not think you need his story in your life, but you may know someone else who does, and that is what and why Ben is sharing. It is also why I am sharing, because if this review gets his book in someone's hands who it helps, then the few minutes I took to type it up was more than worth it.
February 19, 2026
Relatable and makes one think of our own experiences
Ben writes about his journey through a military life and how, like most people, he’s busy and preoccupied with all our obligations. He gives wonderful, average Joe, insights on his experiences and how he have come to grow with God.
Ben writes about his journey through a military life and how, like most people, he’s busy and preoccupied with all our obligations. He gives wonderful, average Joe, insights on his experiences and how he have come to grow with God.
March 8, 2025
An amazing story. Raw, personal, touching and relatable.
March 3, 2026
Very moving.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews