028 Hope and Help for Depression and OCD

Episode Summary:

• If you have ever struggled with depression or obsessive or compulsive tendencies, or you have a friend or loved one who has, then today is the perfect show for you. It’s not uncommon to experience depression and OCD, in fact, today’s guest has experienced both.
• Depression and OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) can present differently for each person. An individual with OCD may struggle to fight the need to check locks on the house before going to bed or as they are leaving to go out. They may have intrusive, irrational thoughts. They may feel that they have to do something to prevent something bad from happening, that truly is not within their direct control although they believe it is.
• In our culture, people use OCD as an adjective but it is so much worse than that and can be so debilitating. Anxiety falls under the category of anxiety disorders. Frequently, it encompasses irrational fears.
• Hope-Filled Perspective: God listens. Pray. Be honest with God. Tell Him how you are feeling. Ask for His help. Consider sharing with a trusted friend or counselor who can provide support and objective feedback. Depression and OCD do not have to rule your life.
• Wes has developed a ministry called PerseveringHope.com where they write about mental health issues, grief, and illness, in an effort to encourage others and spread hope.

Quotables from the episode:

• If you have ever struggled with depression or obsessive or compulsive tendencies, or you have a friend or loved one who has, then this show is the perfect episode for you.
• Individuals with mental health issues, like depression or OCD, often feel like they are the only one who struggles. This can make it hard to reach out for help, out of fear that they will not be understood.
• So often we cannot see the struggles that others are dealing with. We, likewise, also try to hide our struggles so that they are not apparent to others.
• We frequently put pressure on ourselves and begin to think that if we are not perfect, God will not love us. But the truth is that God just loves us for who we are. It doesn’t matter how much we do for Him or how much we fail Him.
• Having gone through depression and experiencing something like anxiety can develop in us a greater sense of empathy for others’ struggles.
• If you haven’t gone through depression, or anxiety, or cancer, or other difficult circumstances, it can be difficult to relate and understand what others are experiencing. But when you go through it, your compassion and empathy toward others with similar conditions increases.
• Mental health issues like depression and OCD are not God’s best for us, nor His desire for us. But we live in a fallen world. Regardless, there is help, hope, and healing available.
• Because depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, or anxiety are such isolating conditions, there can be a tendency to think that God doesn’t understand or that He doesn’t care; neither of which are true. So we think we can’t share honestly with God, when the truth is, God already knows anyway.
• When we can get to the place where we can openly and honestly share with God what we are thinking and feeling, then He can come in and do the work. God cannot take from our closed fists.
• If someone is struggling with symptoms of depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, but hesitant to seek help, ask yourself “are you really happy with your life the way things are?” If not, it might help to seek professional help.

Scripture References:

• 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
• John 6:37 “Whoever comes to me, I will never drive away.”
• Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Recommended Resources:

• “The Voice of the Heart” by Chip Dodd https://amzn.to/2MGWmdU
• “Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award https://amzn.to/2zB0e7J
• “Hope Prevails Bible Study” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award https://amzn.to/2yMdN46
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/yes-christians-get-depressed-there-is-hope/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/this-thing-called-depression-signs-and-symptoms/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/10-verses-of-hope-for-when-you-are-down-or-depressed/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/15-ways-to-help-depressed-husband-wife/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/dear-patient-now-i-understand/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/5-promises-from-god-to-the-patient-i-didnt-meet/

Social Media Links for Host and Guest:

Connect with Wes Harris:

• https://perseveringhope.com/
• https://www.wrhwriting.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/WRHarrisAuthor/https://www.facebook.com/Persevering-Hope-1873932435975781/

For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:

• To order Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: https://drmichellebengtson.com/breaking-anxietys-grip/
• To order Hope Prevails: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/
• Website: https://drmichellebengtson.com/
• Blog: https://drmichellebengtson.com/blog/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrMBengtson (@DrMBengtson)
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichellebengtson/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmichellebengtson/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drbhopeprevails/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleBengtson
• Radio Show Host: http://graceandtruthradio.world/shows/your-hope-filled-perspective/

Guest: Wes Harris

As a son of a military man, Wes was born in California, lived in Europe as a small child, and attended grade school in Texas. He is a fitness trainer, writer, and owner of an online ministry called Persevering Hope. He writes about living with OCD and depression as a Christian, as well as devotional books.

Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson

Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson

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