What do we do with regret when we can’t go back and make things right? Sanctus Real lead singer Dustin Lolli joins Jennifer Slattery to share the grief, regrets and Holy Spirit-led lessons he learned through and after his father’s unexpected death and Dustin’s painful realization that unresolved hurt had created distance in their relationship. He discusses the complicated intersection of grief, regret and self-protection and what God has taught him about what he calls “defiant faith”: choosing the way of Jesus even when our emotions, circumstances or culture pull us in another direction.

Dustin also shares the hope he discovered as God began using his regret to change how he loves and responds to others. While we may not always get the opportunity to repair what happened in the past, God can give us opportunities to live differently moving forward. Through his songs “The War I’m In,” “Make a Way” and “Days Like These,” Dustin reminds us that healing is often a process, our pain doesn’t have to dictate our future and Jesus remains our source of hope when circumstances cannot be changed. He also shares what’s ahead for Sanctus Real as the band becomes increasingly intentional about ministry, family and using their music and stories to point people toward Jesus.

Songs discussed: "The War I'm In", "Make a Way", "Days Like These"

Scripture referenced or discussed: John 13:3–5, Matthew 5:39–41, Matthew 16:25, Romans 8:28

Find Dustin Lolli:

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Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What do you do when a relationship feels so broken you’re afraid it may never recover? Relational pain can trigger fear, shame and an urgent desire to fix things—reactions that can make already difficult conversations even harder. In this episode, Jennifer talks with pastoral counselor and author Chris Coursey about how God can help us navigate relational fractures with greater peace, clarity and compassion. Chris explains what happens in our brains when pain pushes us into “enemy mode,” why emotional safety is so important and how learning to quiet ourselves and reconnect with God can help us respond as our healthier, relational selves.

Chris also shares practical strategies for helping others feel seen, heard and understood, recognizing when past pain is influencing present conflict and seeking God’s perspective when fear and shame distort our own. For additional encouragement, download Chris’s free Taking Your Relational Temperature resource and check out his book, The Joy Switch: How Your Brain’s Secret Circuit Affects Your Relationships—and How You Can Activate It, which explores how to strengthen your relational brain and remain connected during conflict and stress.

Connect with Chris and his team:

On the Thrive website

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Free resource: Trusting God with What You Can't Control: 5 Days of Increased Peace

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When we fight for control, it's rarely because we have an insatiable desire to play boss. Most often, fear is driving our behavior—especially when we’ve experienced situations that left us feeling powerless, uncertain and deeply wounded. After those experiences, we naturally want to do whatever we can to avoid landing in a similar crisis or painful spot. And so, we might overthink, try to fix other people or work harder to secure a particular outcome, while believing we’re simply being responsible and caring. So how can we recognize when healthy responsibility has crossed into control?

In this episode, Jennifer Slattery talks with bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst about her latest release, Making Peace with What I Can't Control, and the fears that can drive controlling behavior and how to respond differently. Lysa shares how to distinguish responsibility from control, recognize the role our perceptions play in fear and focus our energy on what we actually can manage. She also discusses trusting God when we don’t understand what He’s allowing, remembering His past faithfulness and releasing outcomes into His capable hands.

Resource referenced: Making Peace with What I Can't Control: Find Relief from the Exhaustion of Overthinking, Trying to Fix Others, and Wanting to Figure It All Out

Free resource: Trusting God with What You Can't Control: 5 Days of Increased Peace

Scriptures referenced: John 16:33; Galatians 5:22–23

Connect with Lysa TerKeurst:

On her website

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Follow her work on Amazon

Find Jennifer Slattery:

On her website

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Facebook

Amazon

Subscribe to her free newsletter

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.