New Life Live With Steve Arterburn

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jacqui reminds us that the divisions in our churches are not as God intended. My adult son believes whatever his narcissistic father tells him—should I tell my son the truth? This is my third marriage, and my husband threatens to leave whenever we get into an explosive argument—how do I handle it? Both of my parents tried to kill me; how does this childhood trauma affect me today as an adult?

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jill discusses a few words to use instead of “resolutions” and notes that it’s healthy to pause at this time of year to reflect. My daughter was a victim of sex trafficking at 14 years old and ten years later said she was pregnant, but we never saw proof. How can I stop caring so much about my adult daughter? She got involved with a man, ended up in jail, and now she and her son live with us. I am the mother of eight adult children who had a narcissistic father; what can I do to heal and renew my relationship with them? I’m in my 20s and struggling with a pornography addiction; what kind of help do I need?

Caller Questions & Discussion: Becky explains why she considers today “Mat Day” and why we must stop making excuses and pick up our mats and walk if we want to be well (John 5). How do I handle not being able to share community bread during communion at my new church? I sent my niece’s husband to Every Man’s Battle a year ago, and he came back a changed man! My wife hasn’t been intimate with me for 5 years; how do I deal with my anger and bitterness in a sexless marriage? Can someone who is a narcissist be truly saved?

Caller Questions & Discussion: Becky challenges us in the New Year to reduce the amount of time to get out of a bad state of mind with help from Ephesians 4. Should I separate from my husband to overcome my unforgiveness? My husband left a month ago; what can I do if he blames me and doesn’t like confrontation? How can I help my daughter-in-law? My son is a narcissist and verbally abusive to her.

Caller Questions & Discussion: Marc discusses what it looks like for a parent to let go by offering their children freedom, and he gives the example of Jesus going missing when he was a child in Jerusalem. A few months ago, I realized I’m a covert narcissist, my family had me admitted to a mental health facility, and I threatened suicide; what do I do now? If I receive a blessing from God, but then turn around and don’t accept the blessing; do you have any insight into that? I’m a single mom in love with a man in meth recovery, and I struggle with anxious attachment; what can I do? My bipolar nephew and his pregnant wife moved in with my stepmother and me; since it’s her house, am I supposed to stand up for her?

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Sheri explains cognitive dissonance and why it is essential to take steps to protect and ground yourself after a spouse has betrayed you. Many people wonder how men and women can survive in a world with OnlyFans and AI girlfriends, and New Life LIVE radio hosts discuss strategies for maintaining healthy relationships. January sees a rise in breakups as many couples postpone ending relationships until after the holidays, and the radio hosts explain why this trend occurs. What should I do after confessing my infidelity to my husband? How can I heal my marriage and make things right? How can you support someone who is struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts? And what can they do themselves?

Caller Questions & Discussion: Chris shares that he struggles to cry, but every Christmas Eve he gets the gift of tears. Let your tears teach you what is most important and most hopeful in life. Chris also shares that our emotions are a muscle; if his sad muscles get strengthened, then his resiliency for sadness increases. If you live your life to avoid loss, you will also avoid life. What are one or two ways to start trusting God when trusting anyone is difficult or feels impossible? I’m in a new church, and they’ve said you shouldn’t really be in the presence of the opposite sex; how do I not let that throw me off spiritually?

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Alice invites us to turn off our screens to put time and attention into our family. How do I cope with going no contact with my elderly parents for the second time? Their words aren’t life-giving. I’ve been married for two years, and my wife is separated from me because my anxiety is stopping me from living life. Do I tell my teen kids that their mom is a narcissist so they can learn to cope? I struggled with marijuana addiction my whole life until I gave my life to Jesus!

Caller Questions & Discussion: Staying home and being isolated at Christmas? JJ shares what you can do to have joyful holidays. Should I reach out to the other grandmother of my grandson? Her son and my daughter used to date, and their young son is not living with my daughter. My son was raised by my mother as my brother, and he wants to stay with me at Christmas; should I let him? My young teen is being bullied for not using social media—how can I help? What should I do if I’ve been taking asthma medication that gives me suicidal thoughts?

Caller Questions & Discussion: Marc shares about family dynamics and why it is so hard to be an adult when we go home for the holidays. I have full guardianship of my wife with severe depression and she refuses treatment; how do I cope with feeling stuck after trying everything? What should I do when my marriage has no intimacy and my wife refuses counseling? How can I heal from being estranged from my son and grandchildren for over ten years, even after long-term therapy? What is the difference between Understanding Your Attachment Style by Marc Cameron and How We Love by Milan and Kay Yerkovich?

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jill shares that asking where God is in your circumstance may not be a question; it may be a protest because you want it to be different (from Dr. John Townsend’s book Where Is God?). After getting sober, my young adult son has ignored me, even after he had a baby. Should I pursue a relationship with my half-sisters? My stepfather sexually abused me, and they believe him instead of me. What’s the next step for moving forward with my life after my husband left to move to another state? What advice would you give your younger self just starting in counseling? I’m completing my Licensed Professional Counselor requirements this year.

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jill explains how to cope with road rage and retail rage using the Golden Rule from Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31. Why have I always had a problem with kissing on the mouth, even after 60yrs of marriage? What should I do if my gay son’s partner is pressuring him to get married, and he asked me if I’d go to their wedding? How can I deal with bitterness? Many of my friends are either dating or married and I’m almost 30yo and single. What can I do to fix myself to stop getting into relationships with women I need to fix?

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jim explains that other people’s choices do not define you, so instead of overthinking their actions, focus on loving them where they are. Why am I avoiding travel to see my children and grandchildren? Is it selfishness, or could fatigue, allergies, or other issues be holding me back? After nearly 40yrs of marriage, I’ve fallen out of love with my husband. He hasn’t worked for years and much of our savings is gone. I’m a pastor and was demoted after my church conference questioned the money my church brought in; how do I process this? After electroconvulsive therapy for depression and bipolar disorder, I feel disconnected from my adult sons.

Caller Questions & Discussion: Becky discusses how many of us struggle during the holidays and reminds us that even in a hard season, God is with us. Thank you for praying for my family member, who was struggling with addiction but is now experiencing the holidays sober for the first time! As a single grandmother, how can I talk to my adult children about feeling abandoned during Christmas, even when some of them live nearby? I’ve been friends with a man for a year, but our relationship has had many ups and downs; should I talk to him about my feelings? How can I set healthy boundaries with my 26-year-old son? He has oppositional disorder and only contacts me to ask for money.

Caller Questions & More: Marc explains that codependency is the belief, “I need you to be okay so that I can be okay.” My husband wants me to apologize for accusing him of having an affair because of a text I saw. Should I confront him or let it go? What’s the best way to balance being a pastor with attending all the sporting events my five sons and twelve grandkids want me to go to? I’m almost 84 and have struggled with long-term depression, especially after my husband of nearly 64 years passed away. I feel like my prayers are awkward by myself, and I’d like to pray with my husband; any thoughts on how we can change that?

Caller Questions & More: Dr. Jim discusses the Toxic Family Test and how it can reveal patterns in your family of origin. I feel God is calling me to go back to my dysfunctional family in the Midwest after moving to Virginia to become a life coach; how do I know what to do? I mistrust people and fear they want to hurt me; when Saul was given over to a spirit of fear, can that happen today? Our 22-year-old son sleeps or plays video games after work and won’t help around the house; what do we do? How can I support my daughter’s emotional well-being while staying true to my values?

Caller Questions & More: Dr. Jacqui explains how self-fulfilling prophecies, such as parents calling their children lazy, trap us in negative emotions. How do I talk to my teen kids that live with their dad now? They are only hearing bad things about my past. My ex-husband is transitioning to a woman, and his parents are blaming me; what is my role in this? What do I do if my six older siblings treat me like an outsider and don’t want to spend the holidays with me? The hosts discuss God placing the lonely in families in Psalm 68:5-6, and how to grieve what’s out of your control.

Caller Questions & More: Becky discusses Romans 12:2, and the steps to transform your mind are to read God’s Word daily, identify your struggles, and do one thing today. My husband had an affair, and he rolls his eyes when I want us to try what our marriage counselor suggested. I went through the Comfort Circle with my sister, and God showed up! I was injured and had to take opioids for a year, and I was able to stop using them four days ago with God’s help! How can people cope with feelings of loss when personal items are stolen or thrown away?  

Caller Questions & More: Chris discusses Proverbs 16:2 and how God cares about our motives. I’ve been unemployed, just had surgery, and am facing homelessness; where do I go from here? Why is it so hard to leave my narcissistic husband who says he’s leaving our house and retirement to his kids? Should I continue to give my adult son gifts for Christmas if he is paranoid and says Christians are responsible for all the problems in the country? My 18-year-old daughter is dating a boy from her church youth group and they are talking about getting married; how do I have a conversation with her?

Caller Questions & More: Marc discusses the signs of depression and how to treat it. My son and his wife got upset over our vaccine disagreements, straining our family relationship and cutting us off from our grandkids. I struggle with depression, use marijuana, and have had suicidal thoughts; how can I find happiness beyond material things? My adult daughter is married to a man of another culture, has a baby, and is mean to me; do I send the letter I’ve written to just her, or to her and her husband?