From Control to Trust: A Mom’s Guide to Peace :: Sarah Stephens [Ep 590]

As moms, it can be easy to confuse parenting with controlling. We want our children to make wise choices, succeed, and avoid pain. But fear can quickly turn our desire to help into nagging, manipulation, or control. Sarah Stephens joins me to talk about what it looks like to move from controlling our children to mentoring, discipling, guiding, and loving them well. Sarah shares how God has taught her that our calling is not to control outcomes, but to remain faithful to the process. We talk about seeking wisdom from above, listening for God’s voice, recognizing the difference between conviction and condemnation, and learning to entrust our children and their choices to God. In this episode, we talk about: - Why control is often motivated by fear - Learning to focus on the process, not the outcome - How to know when to speak up—and when to let something go - The only control we’re actually called to have: self-control - Seeking God’s wisdom instead of simply collecting more information - Learning to recognize God’s voice - How comparison can steal a mom’s peace - Asking, “Can my child recover from this?” - Parenting, guiding, and loving our children even when we disagree - Praying for our children and leaving it at the feet of Jesus - What it looks like to say, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done” Connect with Sarah Stephens:  - Website: Sarah Stephens - Equipping Women for Every Day - Instagram: Sarah Tunstall Stephens (@sstephenstx) - Facebook: Sarah Tunstall Stephens Links Mentioned:  - Boundaries: By Dr. Henry Cloud and  John Townsend - Have a New Teenager by Friday: By  Dr. Kevin Leman  Related Episodes: - [Inner Healing Prayer :: Jennifer Barnett \[Ep 323\]](https://heathermacfadyen.com/2021/04/19/inner-healing-prayer-jennifer-barnett-ep-323/) - [How Parents Can Equip Kids to Find Freedom, Healing, and Identity in Christ :: Jennifer Barnett \[Ep 577\]](https://heathermacfadyen.com/2026/06/15/how-parents-can-equip-kids-to-find-freedom-healing-and-identity-in-christ-jennifer-barnett-ep-577/) - [How to Hear God’s Voice: Freedom Prayer and Abiding in Christ with Jennifer Barnett \[Ep 576\]](https://heathermacfadyen.com/2026/06/08/how-to-hear-gods-voice-freedom-prayer-abiding-in-christ-with-jennifer-barnett-ep-576/) Featured Sponsors:  - **Lola Blankets:** For a limited time, our listeners can get 40% OFF select Lola Blankets products with code \[DMA] at checkout. Just head to LolaBlankets.com and use code \[DMA] to get 40% OFF your order. Wrap yourself in luxury with Lola Blankets. - **Branch Basics:** And here’s the good news—Branch Basics is now available everywhere you shop: at Target, Target.com, Amazon, and of course, BranchBasics.com. Tossing the toxins has never been more convenient! For anyone grabbing the Premium Starter Kit, you can still get 15% off at BranchBasics.com with our code \[DMA]. - **Our place:** Upgrade your kitchen with Our Place today. Visit fromourplace.com/DMA and use code DMA for 10% off sitewide. With a 100-day trial, you can try it completely risk-free.