Self-control is the last on Paul’s list of the fruit of the Spirit—but in real life, it often feels like the one we struggle with most. In this episode, Natasha, Monique, and David kick off a backwards walk through the fruit of the Spirit, starting with self-control and how it uniquely shows up in the lives of single Christians.

From sexual temptation and “I deserve this” spending, to doom-scrolling, boredom, and loneliness, they talk honestly about the places where our wills feel weak and our excuses feel strong. Along the way, they unpack why self-control isn’t just willpower or personality—it’s a Spirit-given fruit, grown as we set wise boundaries, notice our triggers, flee what pulls us under, and repent when we fall.

If you’ve ever thought, “I should have more self-control by now,” this conversation is for you. Be encouraged that God hasn’t given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control—and that His grace meets you even in the middle of the struggle.

Is singleness a spiritual gift? We say no. In this candid round-table, Natasha, Monique, and David unpack the church cliché and get honest about desire, hormones, and holiness. We dig into 1 Corinthians 7:7–9 (“better to marry than burn”) and show why Paul isn’t offering a lust-management loophole or promising a supernatural removal of sexual desire. Instead, we explore singleness and marriage as good gifts—seasons in which God calls us to devotion and self-control (a fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22–23), not a pass on discipleship. We talk temptation vs. sin (Matthew 5:27–28), why marriage won’t “fix” porn or lust patterns, and practical pathways like fasting for training our desires toward Christ. Plus: a teaser for our upcoming series on the Fruits of the Spirit from a single-life lens.

What if singleness isn’t a waiting room but a calling worth celebrating? Natasha takes us through powerful excerpts from Timothy Keller, David Platt, and Elisabeth Elliot—three influential Christian thinkers who each bring clarity, theology, and comfort to the often-misunderstood topic of singleness. Tune in for a refreshing, gospel-centered look at what it means to live fully devoted to Christ.

It’s Thanksgiving, and Natasha and Monique ask the question: Am I living my singleness so people see Christ in me? We unpack contentment over bitterness, authentic fruit vs. “glued-on apples,” and how daily practices (Scripture, prayer, worship), healthy community, and service make our lives quietly radiant (1 Cor 7:32–35; Matt 5:16). Honest stories, real hope, and a challenge to live different on purpose.

In this episode, Natasha, Monique, and David tackle the churchy reflex to “qualify” people’s choices—especially when someone says they don’t want marriage or children. We unpack Scripture (yes, be fruitful and he who finds a wife), look at 1 Corinthians 7, and share stories like Jim & Elisabeth Elliot and Amy Carmichael to show that following Jesus can faithfully look different. Instead of pressure or “you’ll change your mind,” we talk about responding with encouragement so people are free to keep listening to God—now and later.

In Part 2 of our series on church hurt in singleness, Natasha, Monique, and David explore the subtle but painful cuts singles experience in the church—those “helpful” comments, lingering expectations, and the silence around what it means to live fully as a single believer. We discuss how these messages can leave singles feeling sidelined, how churches can do better, and how healing can begin when honesty, forgiveness, and discipleship meet.

In Part 1, Natasha, Monique, and David unpack how purity culture shaped expectations about marriage and sex, why so many singles felt sidelined, and how to begin healing without walking away from the Church—or Scripture.

Can a woman (or man) truly live life to the fullest without marriage? In this episode of the Route 77 Podcast, we explore the cultural pressures, biblical perspectives, and personal testimonies surrounding marriage and singleness. From Genesis to 1 Corinthians 7, we’ll unpack whether fullness comes from a spouse—or from Christ Himself. Whether you’re single, married, or somewhere in between, this conversation will encourage you to embrace your season and live abundantly right where you are.