Welcome to Dysregulated Faith—a space for those who love Jesus but find themselves stuck in survival mode. I’m Sandra Littlejohn: parenting coach, writer, neurodivergent mom, and someone who understands what it’s like to follow Christ with a constantly buzzing nervous system.

In this first series, we explore the six core stress responses—fight, flee, freeze, fawn, flop, and frenzy—not as moral failings, but as remarkable survival strategies our bodies use to protect us.

Today, we begin with Fight: that instinctive push to confront a perceived threat. Through the story of Peter in John 18, we’ll unpack how the fight response shows up in our lives—not as rebellion, but as a nervous system doing its job.

You’ll hear:

• How Peter’s reaction in the Garden of Gethsemane reflects a body in survival mode
• The difference between Jesus’ calm, regulated presence and Peter’s reactive defense
• Why dysregulation isn’t disobedience, and how understanding your body’s responses can bring compassion to your faith journey

If you’ve ever lashed out, spoken sharply, or gone on the defensive before you could think—this episode is for you. We’ll talk about how to recognize what’s happening underneath the reaction, and how Jesus invites us into healing without shame.

Connect with Sandra:

Email: sandra@dysregulatedfaith.com

Website: DysregulatedFaith.com

Instagram: @dysregulatedfaith

Leave a Review:

If this episode encouraged you, would you leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? Your words help others find a faith space where bodies, brains, and beliefs can breathe.