Girl Talk

Have you ever forgiven someone but struggled to trust them again? Maybe you've been hurt by a friend, a family member, or someone you thought you could count on. You know Jesus calls us to forgive, but does that mean everything has to go back to the way it was? On this episode of Girl Talk, Carol, Kelly, and Tricia talk about the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation, why healthy boundaries matter, and what it looks like to forgive someone who may never apologize or change. They also share personal experiences with forgiveness, including the hard work of letting go of bitterness, navigating complicated family relationships, and trusting the Lord to help us do what we can't do on our own. Because forgiveness isn't pretending something didn't happen. And it doesn't always mean restoring a relationship. But it does mean choosing to extend the grace we've received through Jesus. In this episode: The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation Why forgiving someone doesn't mean forgetting what happened How to set healthy boundaries without holding on to bitterness What to do when someone keeps hurting you Why forgiveness is sometimes a daily decision How the Holy Spirit helps us forgive when it feels impossible Scripture Mentioned: Romans 12:18 Matthew 18:15–17 Matthew 18:21–35 Luke 17:3–4 Resources Mentioned: Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend Forgiving What You Can't Forget by Lysa TerKeurst

Have you ever had a question about God that you were almost afraid to ask out loud? Maybe you didn't want someone to think your faith was weak, or maybe you've been carrying a big "why" that still doesn't have an answer. Here's something worth talking about: Jesus never told us to stop asking questions. In this episode of the Girl Talk Podcast, Carol, Tricia, and Kelly talk about what it looks like to wrestle with your faith, bring your doubts to God, and learn to trust Him even when you don't have all the answers. They share personal stories of grief, church experiences, and moments when asking hard questions actually led to a deeper understanding of God. They also talk about why the church should be a safe place for people to ask questions, how to tell the difference between biblical truth and church tradition, and why it matters where we go looking for answers. Because following Jesus doesn't mean you'll understand everything. And sometimes, the process of asking, seeking, and wrestling is exactly where your faith begins to grow. Have questions about Jesus? Text JESUS to 81891 to learn more about who He is and what it means to follow Him. Want to join the conversation? Text TALK to 81891 to be part of the Girl Talk community! THIS WEEK: Begin a conversation with God about something you've been wanting to know, a question you've held quietly or a doubt you want to bring to Him. You don't have to get all the answers immediately, but come to the Lord with whatever you have. He's got ya.

You love your people… until people get complicated. Friendship and community can be fun and life-giving, but they can also require vulnerability, forgiveness, accountability and a willingness to let someone see what’s actually going on. In this episode of Girl Talk, Carol, Kelly and Tricia are talking about something Jesus never said: “You have to do life alone.” The truth is, we were created for the “one anothers” - encouraging one another, praying for one another, carrying one another’s burdens and helping one another become more like Jesus. And those kinds of friendships don’t usually happen overnight. They’re built slowly, through showing up, honest conversations and choosing to let people in. The girls talk about the tough side of community: confession, accountability, gossip, church hurt and what happens when trusting people feels risky. Because yes, community is risky. But isolation costs us something too. We may just find that the relationships that have hurt us are also the places where God can bring some of our deepest healing.

Do you ever walk away from a conversation replaying everything you said? Wondering if they liked you, if you disappointed them, or if you should’ve done something differently? Same. On this episode, Carol, Kelly, and Tricia are talking about people pleasing and how something that can look like kindness on the outside can sometimes be rooted in insecurity, fear of rejection, or our need for approval. The goal isn’t to stop caring about people. It’s learning how to live from God’s love instead of constantly working for everyone else’s.

“Follow your heart” sounds good on a coffee mug…but is it actually good advice? This week, Carol, Kelly and Tricia are talking about something Jesus never said: follow your heart. Our emotions are real and God-given, but that doesn’t mean they were designed to lead us in the way we should go - that's the Spirit's job! The girls get honest about anger, anxiety, irritation, gossip, pride and those moments when your feelings are LOUD. They talk about the difference between simply trying to behave better and allowing the Holy Spirit to actually change your heart from the inside out. Plus, what do you do with difficult emotions instead of ignoring them? Is it okay to vent to a girlfriend and when does it turn into gossip? Who makes a good accountability partner? And how can you tell the difference between something you really want and the Holy Spirit actually leading you? The goal isn’t to stop feeling. It’s to bring what you’re feeling to Jesus and let Him lead.