Are you feeling the strain of family estrangement? You're not alone. Join us for today's episode of Relationship Real Talk, where we dive into this challenging topic with our guest, Dr. Diana Robbins. As a licensed professional counselor based in Houston, Texas, and a PhD graduate from Regent University, Dr. Robbins has a wealth of experience and a personal story that resonates with many.

Why This Topic Matters

Family estrangement—when family members go through extended periods without contact or involvement—is becoming increasingly common in today's culture, including within Christian communities. Understanding and addressing this issue is crucial for fostering healthy relationships and healing.

Dr. Robbins' Personal Journey

Dr. Robbins grew up in a Christian home where her father was a pastor deeply committed to biblical truths. Despite this strong spiritual foundation, seeds of estrangement were sown early on. Her family lacked a framework for resolving conflicts and supporting one another in disagreements, which led to deep-rooted issues over the years.

As Dr. Robbins matured, she became aware of these unhealthy patterns and took on the role of addressing them within her family. Unfortunately, her attempts at resolution were not well-received, especially by her mother and sister. When her father passed away at the young age of 26, the importance of maintaining those remaining family relationships became even more significant to her.

Despite a strong sense of family duty and commitment to Christian theology, which emphasized forgiveness and reconciliation, Dr. Robbins struggled to find ways to mend the rift with her mother and sister. This journey has been profoundly painful, highlighting the complexities of family estrangement.

Living Through Estrangement

Dr. Robbins shares how estrangement felt during her teenage years and how it evolved into adulthood. She emphasizes that estrangement is not just about physical distance but also emotional and spiritual separation, which can be incredibly challenging to navigate.

We hope this episode helps you understand that you're not alone in your struggles with family estrangement. If you relate to Dr. Robbins' story or have your own experiences to share, please leave a comment or question below. Your input can provide support and solidarity to others facing similar challenges.

Don't miss out on this heartfelt and insightful episode. Join us as we explore the realities of estrangement and seek God's guidance for healing and reconciliation.

Are you ready to transform your relationships through the power of Christ-centered communication? In this episode of Relationship Real Talk, we welcome Renatha Lollis, a Christian Life Coach and author, who will guide us on a journey to understanding the importance of communication that glorifies God.

Renatha, an exceptional communicator, shares her profound insights on how integrating our faith into our communication can profoundly impact our relationships. As she beautifully puts it, "We belong to Jesus Christ, and we are His representatives on Earth. This central truth should influence everything we do, especially how we communicate."

Recognizing that we belong to Jesus Christ and representing Him in all we do impacts how we respond to our environment and communicate. If Jesus Christ is our Savior, He should also be our Lord, and His lordship should extend to our communication.

When Christ is the focus, whether communicating with God, our spouses, children, coworkers, or even strangers, we honor Him and positively impact the world around us. Renatha emphasizes that our mindset of honoring Christ should be a priority, flowing into all our interactions. By living and communicating from this place, we share His love and become His hands and feet in the world. When we honor Him with our words and actions, He is glorified.

Join us in this enlightening episode as Renatha unpacks the principles of Christ-centered communication. Learn how to bring His love into every conversation and relationship, transforming them into reflections of His grace and truth.

Don't miss out on this transformative discussion! Leave a comment or question below, and let's continue the conversation about how to bring Christ into the center of our communication. Be sure to subscribe to the Relationship Real Talk podcast for more insights and practical advice on building healthy, God-centered relationships.