SEASON 4 • EPISODE 5 — JESUS & FAMILY DYNAMICS: LOVING WITHOUT LOSING YOURSELF

Family relationships can become especially complex during the holidays, when expectations are high and old patterns resurface. In this episode, Coach Gigi explores Jesus’ own family dynamics and what Scripture teaches us about loving others without abandoning ourselves. Drawing from Mark 3 and other biblical truths, this conversation reminds us that even Jesus experienced misunderstanding, tension, and emotional pressure within family relationships, and that boundaries are not unloving, they are wise.

Blending faith, brain and mental health insight, and practical holiday application, this episode unpacks what it means to love wisely, choose peace over pressure, and release the false belief that love requires over-explaining, over-giving, or self-sacrifice that harms the soul. Coach Gigi walks listeners through how to recognize when love turns into self-loss, how to partner with God in the healing process, and why Galatians 5:1 reminds us that freedom is part of God’s design for our relationships.

As part of the Home for the Holidays series, this episode affirms that healing is holy according to Exodus 15:26, and that God never asks us to set ourselves on fire to keep others warm. If you’ve ever wrestled with guilt, obligation, or emotional exhaustion around family, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and hope rooted in the love of Christ.

This episode is sponsored by FOCUS: Faith & Mental Health, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization where faith and mental health meet. Learn more, book coaching, partner with us, or support our mission at https://focusfaithmentalhealth.com/

We are deeply grateful to No Child Goes Hungry for their generous food donations supporting families in Paulding County, and to Publix for gift cards that helped support our holiday food basket initiatives. You can also support our outreach and community efforts through our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3DUJNOXS1DPDA?ref_=wl_share

Coach Gigi’s newest book, Withholding Love: When Intimacy Becomes a Weapon, is now available in ebook and paperback. This faith-centered resource explores how intimacy can be withheld as control or punishment in relationships and offers biblical insight, psychological clarity, and practical solutions for healing and restoration.

Get the book here: https://a.co/d/8sD1MEq

Additional featured resource by Coach Gigi:

https://a.co/d/0L9elQy

Additional books by Coach Gigi include:

My Body Is God’s Gift https://a.co/d/iEwYbVx

Jesus, Lover of My Soul https://a.co/d/8NzA35Z

Beautifully Broken https://a.co/d/a4AViP5

Catch & Release: Seeds of Deception https://a.co/d/bBCiNIw

Children’s books:

Chef Gigi Serves Today https://a.co/d/7cprHL7

Gigi’s French Bakery https://a.co/d/5lUJ9Qy

If you are experiencing domestic violence or feel unsafe in your home or relationship, help is available. You can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or visit https://www.thehotline.org/

Background music: “Be Still and Know.” Written and composed by Geleta “Gigi” Parker. Arrangement and piano accompaniment by Debary Thompson.