Making Peace with What I Can't Control | Lysa TerKeurst

Making Peace with What I Can't Control | Lysa TerKeurst

September 17, 2026 · 33 min

We all struggle with control. We want to control outcomes, other people’s choices, and what comes next. And when that burden becomes exhausting, we’re often told to just “trust God” or “let go and let God.”

But sometimes control isn’t a power grab.

Sometimes we try to manage people and circumstances precisely because we’re responsible, capable, and caring—and because painful experiences have taught us to prepare for the worst.

This week, Lysa TerKeurst joins Haley and Dustin to discuss her new book, Making Peace with What I Can’t Control. Lysa is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and president and chief visionary officer of Proverbs 31 Ministries. She has walked her own long road through trauma, codependency, and the lingering anxiety that can show up as a need to manage everything and everyone.

Lysa explains how trauma and fear can fuel our need for control, how the story of Judas challenged her desire to force an outcome, and what surrendering to God really means.

If you feel responsible for managing people or situations, this conversation will help you understand what may be happening beneath the surface—and how to make peace with what you can’t control.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means

everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in

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Resources from Lysa TerKeurst

Get Lysa’s new book, Making Peace with What I Can’t Control: https://tinyurl.com/2wyawm46

Learn more about Haven Place Ministries: https://www.instagram.com/_havenplace/

Learn more about Lysa, her ministry, and resources: https://lysaterkeurst.com/

Hope for the Heart resources

Join us this fall at the Hope Together Conference! Learn more and sign up here: https://hopetogether.com/

Connect with Hope for the Heart on social!

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Learn more about the ministry and resources of Hope for the Heart: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/

Learn more about Hope Talks and catch up on past episodes: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/hopetalks/

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://hopefortheheart.donorsupport.co/page/hope-talks

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Bible verses mentioned in this episode

2 Timothy 1:7 — "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

Matthew 26:25 — "Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, 'Surely you don't mean me, Rabbi?' Jesus answered, 'You have said so.'"

Mark 10:21–22 — "Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One thing you lack,' he said… At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth."

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Hope for the Heart is a worldwide biblical counseling, coaching, and caregiving ministry founded by June Hunt in 1986. We’re passionate about helping people