Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast

Episode Summary: If you have ever struggled with depression or loved someone who struggles, then today is the perfect show for you. Today we’re going to be talking about how my guest was able to break the bonds of depression, and wants to offer that same hope to you. So many people suffer with depression in silence because they are ashamed to share their pain. Many who struggle with depression wear a protective mask as a protective barrier, but it can really weigh you down. So much of social media portrays a perfect life when really things were falling apart behind the scenes. Nobody wants to admit that they are depressed. Most often depression starts months or years before we recognize it for what it is.  And depression often turns us into someone we, nor our friends and family members recognize. Some who are depressed get to the point of feeling helpless and hopeless, which is a tool of the enemy of our soul, making us believe that suicide is the only way out of the pain. God can use others to speak life and wellness into our lives. Their testimony of overcoming life’s darkest circumstances can lend us hope. God wants to be all we need. Sometimes we have to get so desperate or even flat on our back that the only place we can look is up and trust God in the hardest of times. Unforgiveness can contribute to depression. We need to forgive those who have hurt us, otherwise bitterness and resentment build up and contribute to depression. Forgiveness isn’t denying what has happened but it is saying, “God you are in a better place to deal with the situation” and allowing God to redeem the situation. It releases us from carrying that burden.  There are times we may have to forgive repeatedly. Sometimes forgiveness is a process over time. Jesus offered me forgiveness freely. When our view of God changes, our life will also change. Our view of God affects our mental health whether it is a false view of God or a right view of God. So often when circumstances are hard, we can accuse God and assume He doesn’t care about us or love us, but that is a false view of God. You might consider praying three things: 1) that you’d have an accurate perception of God, 2) that he would show you his perception of you, and 3) that he would help you have the same perception of yourself that he has of you. For families who have a depressed loved one, even if you don’t understand depression, just listen because you play an important role in your loved one’s healing. You don’t have to have the answers or try to fix the situation. Just offer to be there for them and go through the journey with them. Know you are not alone. Even though you feel alone, God is with you, God sees you, He loves you, He cares about you, and you are not the only one to feel that way. There is hope. When you don’t know what else to do, cry out to God. Admit your need for Him. Quotables from the episode: Most often depression starts months or years before we recognize it for what it is. Depression often turns us into someone we, nor our friends and family members recognize. Sometimes forgiveness is a process over time. Scripture References: Job 33:28 “God has delivered me from going down to the pit, and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.” Psalm 42:5 “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 30:5b “…weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Recommended Resources: “Finally Free: Breaking the Bonds of Depression without Drugs” by Patty Mason  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide 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 Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Social Media Links for Host and Guest:  Connect with Patty Mason: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Website For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /  Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube Guest Patty Mason: A wife, mother, grandmother, author, national speaker, and founder of Liberty in Christ Ministries, Patty Mason has shared her story of God’s redeeming grace and deliverance from depression before numerous audiences, in several books, blogs, and magazines, such as Lifeway’s “Living More,” as well as radio and television programs, including American Family Radio, Moody Radio, and The 700 Club. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: If you have ever had marriage struggles or have friends or loved ones who struggle in their marriage, or just want to improve your marriage, then today is the perfect show for you. In this episode, my guest, Pam Farrel, and I discuss how to thrive, not just survive, in marriage. Relationships are hard, but marriage is on an entirely different level. And sometimes the things we loved about our fiance’ is the same thing that we grow to dislike or resent in marriage. But Pam will discuss how to grow our love for our mate. Quotables from the episode: Sometimes wisdom breeds willingness to change. The Farrels encourage a confident covenant, which are rules of engagement during disagreements. Don’t be interested in just solving a marital problem, but also fall in love with that person again. Men are like waffles, women are like spaghetti. Women move from one issue to many different issues, but then tie it all up together, like spaghetti, but men like to keep individual issue in separate boxes, and resolve each box before moving on to another box. Men park in their boxes, often not thinking about anything, while women misinterpret their silence. In olden days, you pulled together because you had to just to survive. So emotional needs were not high on the list at that point. Today we have a different view of survival and includes “Am I feeling satisfied? Am I feeling peaceful? Am I feeling fulfilled?” If our spouse isn’t making us happy, we mistakenly believe someone else out there will. We live in a social media driven society, where we only get to see others’ highlights, and people don’t see the real work that has to be done, and how God meets our needs to pull us through.Valentine’s Day is like a double-edge sword. For singles and widows, get a plan in place before Valentine’s Day. There are many around you who are feeling the same way. Ways to encourage your spouse: Let your spouse you know you admire them. Commend your spouse in front of their friends or colleagues. Warm up to an idea by asking questions for more details of their idea. Let you know you are praying for them. Enthusiastically embrace one of their opinions. It only takes one breakthrough. You’re only one breakthrough away from a stronger relationship. The last thing we should do when we’re struggling in our relationships is to isolate. We need community and the support of others./ Scripture References: Proverbs 19:8 “The one who gets wisdom loves life.” 1 John 4:19 “We love each other because he loved us first.” Ephesians 4:2-3 “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Recommended Resources: Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti: Understanding and Delighting in Your Differences by Bill & Pam Farrel Discovering Joy in Philippians: A Creative Devotional Study Experience by Pam Farrel, Jean E Jones, and Karla Dornacher  Red-Hot Monogamy: Making Your Marriage Sizzle by Bill and Pam Farrel Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide 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 Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Social Media Links for Host and Guest:  Connect with Pam Farrel: Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter / Website For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /  Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube   Guest Pam Farrel: Pam Farrel, with her husband, Bill, are international speakers, and authors of over 50 books including best-selling Men are like Waffles, Women are like Spaghetti.  They are relationship specialists and seek to help people become “Love-Wise.” Pam has experience as a Pastor’s wife and Women’s Ministry Director. Pam is a cheerleader, challenger and coach that believes that "The one who gets wisdom loves life." (Proverbs 19:8) Her new creative Bible studies are Amazon bestsellers: Discovering Hope in the Psalms ; Discovering Joy in Philippians and Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament. When the Farrels are not traveling for speaking, you will find them on their live aboard boat or enjoying their 3 sons, 3 daughters in law and 5 grands.  www.Love-Wise.com   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: If you have ever struggled with your thought life or wondered what it means to transform your thought life, then today is the perfect show for you. Join me with my friend, Sarah Geringer, as we talk about how to change your thoughts and transform your life. Paying attention to our thought life is important! As a neuropsychologist, I can tell you we have between 50-70,000 thoughts a day. That’s a lot of taking thoughts captive but so worth it. God’s word is the ultimate truth. While other books can help us, there is no comparison to the power of God’s word to change us into someone more like Him. The answer to all our problems lies within Scripture. God said in His word that He has already given us everything we need for life and godliness. We can break the stronghold Satan has put on our lives by using Scripture. Jesus was the son of God and the son of man, He was the word and He chose to use the ancient scriptures to counter Satan’s attacks. When we come up against anxiety-provoking situations, or worrisome thoughts, or feelings of insecurity, we can come against them with scripture. God would love nothing more than to give us His peace in exchange for our anxiety. It’s crucial that we pay attention to the thoughts we are having, and the words we are speaking. We can be condemning ourselves with our own words. As we read our Bible, it’s helpful to ask three questions: What does this verse tell me about God? What does this verse tell me about myself? What does God want me to do with this information for others (personal application)? So many of our thoughts are careless thoughts because we don’t pay enough attention before we have them. By being intentional about examining our thoughts and asking God to search our minds and hearts, God will teach us things we weren’t previously aware of. We need to also be careful about the shows we watch and the music we listen to, because we’re putting information into our minds that do not mesh with the truth of God’s word. As you examine your thoughts, you’ll be surprised by all the things God wants to reveal to you. Our emotions are the outward manifestations of the thoughts we believe. But we must take the time to monitor the thoughts we believe. It’s too easy to get caught up in our emotions and believe them and let them influence us in nonproductive ways. God’s word is our anchor, our guide, the one true thing when so much of what we encounter is not true. Whatever our thought life struggles are, is where Satan is likely to strike. That’s where we are most vulnerable to believing his lies. Any of these places are weak places in our stress.  A stronghold is any area where Satan has a hook in a certain area to try to distract you, make you more miserable, and make you less effective for God’s kingdom. Christian meditation is thinking about God’s word, taking scriptures and mulling over them. What does it tell me about God’s character? What does it tell me about what to do? What does it tell me about how I can help other people? Quotables from the episode: It’s crucial that we pay attention to the thoughts we are having, and the words we are speaking. Our emotions are the outward manifestations of the thoughts we believe. But we must take the time to monitor the thoughts we believe. Scripture References: Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Romans 12:1-2 “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace, those who are steadfast because they trust in you.” Romans 8:1 “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Recommended Resources: “Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus” by Sarah Geringer Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide 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 Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Social Media Links for Host and Guest: You can follow Sarah on social media here: Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Pinterest / YouTube / LinkedIn / Goodreads For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book HopePrevails /  Website  /  Blog  / Facebook / Facebook Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn /  Instagram  / Pinterest / YouTube Guest: Sarah Geringer writes about finding peace in God’s Word at sarahgeringer.com. She is also on the writing teams for Encouragement for Today, Woman 2 Woman Ministries, A Wife Like Me and Devotable. Sarah also writes for Hope-Full Living, a quarterly publication for senior citizens. When she’s not reading over 100 books per year, Sarah enjoys prayer walks, gardening, baking, painting and playing the flute. She lives in her beloved southeast Missouri with her husband and three children. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: If you have ever felt like God gave you direction and maybe even a path to take but then life didn’t look like you expected or desired, then today is the perfect show for you. Today we’re going to be talking about maintaining hope even when life doesn’t go or doesn’t look like we expected it to. On today’s show, we’re going to be talking to my friend, Abby McDonald who is going to share with us how she finds hope in Christ in the midst of life’s messes and struggles.   So often we think we hear from God for our direction, but then we question Him when things don’t go the way we thought they were supposed to go.  We can see God during those seasons, but we have to shift our perspective. Scripture gives us example after example of people who held onto that hope and held onto their faith when they were encountering adversity. They felt called by God, they received a word from Him, and they persevered, but still they encountered struggle and opposition and obstacles. When Jesus called the first disciples, they didn’t see a miracle or anything from Him other than the request to follow Him. Yet they dropped everything and went—it wasn’t until later that they saw Him reveal himself as the true Messiah. We have to look at God’s character and His attributes when we don’t see what we expected. When we receive Christ, we receive a new spirit, but our minds aren’t new. They have to be continually renewed and transformed for our entire lives because we have an enemy who fills our minds with lies. Abby explained how after going through some pretty tumultuous times, she faces life now with much more peace. When situations come up in her life now, she doesn’t always default to fear or doubt anymore, but now recognizes it as an attack and knows what to do now. We talk about how so often we focus on the short term conveniences and happiness rather than the long term rewards that come from faith in Jesus. Surrender is often so hard because it has a passive connotation to it, and when we think of surrender, we think someone is laying down and letting people walk all over them. Our culture hasn’t given us a popular view of surrender. But surrender really brings peace, and that only comes through trusting God. If we will let things go, and not demand we understand all the why’s of our experiences, we can experience His peace when we no longer hold onto that need for control. First, pray, and then know that God has such a beautiful plan for each of our lives. It goes far beyond what we can see in that moment and goes into eternity. He sees all of it and He is knitting all of it together as He works even when we cannot see it. If you prayerfully surrender to God, He will lift that weight. When we try to control things, we are holding on. As long as we hold on (to the bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness, need to control, etc.) our hands are not open to receiving God’s best for us. We have to open up our grasp onto the situation and trust God. When we start acting on what we can’t see yet, we give room for God to move. Quotables from the episode: If we are certain we heard from God, we just have to be obedient and the end result is up to God, not us. We have to hold onto the promises of God. It helps to say Scripture out loud, pray it out loud, and write it down. When you see God deliver you from something or you see an answer to a prayer no matter how small it may seem, write it down, record it, tell someone about it because when you’re in the thick of it, you need to remember it and recall how God has been faithful in the past. If God has been faithful before, we have no reason to doubt that He will be faithful again because that is who He is. He is faithful. Nothing else can stand against the enemy when we have the truth underneath us as our cornerstone. We have to declare God’s truth in those circumstances. We all like the mountain top experiences, but fruit grows in the valley, and it’s there that we learn valuable lessons. Often we focus on the short term conveniences and happiness rather than the long term rewards that come from faith in Jesus. Surrender is essentially telling God that we no longer feel the need to be in control anymore and we are going to trust God enough to give Him control of the situation. Security is only found in Christ alone. We think that if we had answers we would be secure. But faith is not based on what we see, but on what we don’t see. Faith is active, it’s not passive. When we start acting on what we can’t see yet, we give room for God to move. Scripture References: Ecclesiastes 3:9-11, “What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s word from beginning to end.” Proverbs 16:9 “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” Recommended Resources: It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst  Shift: Changing Our Focus to See the Presence of God by Abby McDonald Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide 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 Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Social Media Links for Host and Guest: To connect with Abby McDonald: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book HopePrevails /  Website  /  Blog  / Facebook / Facebook Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn /  Instagram  / Pinterest / YouTube Guest: Abby McDonald is a blogger, speaker, wife and mom whose work has been featured Proverbs 31 Ministries, (in)Courage, For Every Mom, and more. Her passion is to empower women to grow in faith and hope, even when life is messy. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of South Carolina, and loves to teach about writing at conferences each year. Abby lives with her husband and three children in western Maryland. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: It’s a common phenomenon: presents are unwrapped, resolutions are made, decorations are put away, bills arrive and with them often come the post-holiday blues. We often feel deflated, let down, and perhaps weighed down by a few extra pounds. Are you having a hard time resuming your normal activities? Has your energy been replaced by the winter sluggishness? Does it seem no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to find your joy in the aftermath of the holidays? Then stick with us today as we talk about hope for overcoming SAD Seasonal Affective Disorder or the post-holiday blues. Quotables from the episode: There is a diagnosis called SAD “Seasonal Affective Disorder” which often happens to people during the winter months when it is often dark, gloomy, and less sunlight during the day. The lack of sunlight does contribute to seasonal affective disorder which is a form of depression during the winter months. ALL depression is significant. But often we experience a let-down following the holidays which contributes to mild, post-holiday blues. And frequently we experience expectations that aren’t met during the holiday season that leave us feeling inadequate or unappreciated or devalued which can leave us feeling down after the holidays are over. To make matters worse, not everyone experiences a merry Christmas, which can make going into a new year even more difficult. Grief and depression are NOT the same thing, but often, those who are grieving also experience a bout of depression. We serve a God who is rich in mercy and grace, but so often we don’t extend the same grace and mercy to ourselves or others. I’m grateful for the Biblical greats who we can read about who have struggled with depression. Just like David or Elijah. David often cried “why so downcast oh my soul?” and in the next moment he was praising God. “Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression” was written to encourage others who are struggling with the blues or a more significant case of depression. It’s the kind of book I wish I had had when I was depressed. If you are experiencing a change in mood, a change in appetite, energy, or sleep, and have been experiencing such changes for more than a couple of weeks, you may be experiencing SAD Seasonal Affective Disorder, the blues or a more significant depression. But that is not something to be ashamed of. And you need to know you are not alone. There isn’t a magic bullet for depression. It’s something we have to walk through. But God walks with us and can bring us through it. There is no right or wrong experience of depression. Everyone’s experience is different, and it can change from time to time. Not everyone who is depressed feels down all the time…many experience depression as irritability, agitation, or anger. Overcoming SAD Seasonal Affective Disorder, depression or the blues is a process. You didn’t become depressed overnight and it won’t go away overnight. But small baby steps will make a difference. To help mitigate the effect of SAD Seasonal Affective Disorder or the post-holiday blues: Plan one thing each day that you enjoy. (i.e. take a bubble bath, read for 15-20 minutes) Write it in your day planner. It prioritizes self-care. If you don’t take care of yourself, you have nothing left to pour out to others. When we feel depressed, we can feel like we have nothing left to look forward to, especially after the holidays, but this can give us something small to look forward to. Instead of listening to the news, listen to calming music or text a friend to give yourself an emotional holiday for a few minutes. Sometimes when you are the one experiencing the blues or depression, you want others to reach out to you. It’s easy to believe the lie that no one understands or cares. But be the one to reach out to someone else. Start the dialogue. Don’t let yourself give in to the enemy of your soul who wants you to isolate. (Karl Meninger gave the advice to get up off the couch, go out their door, go across the railroad track and find someone else to help because when we invest in others it brings joy. Today we don’t even have to go across the railroad tracks…we can text, email, or share with others through social media). Establish a set bedtime. This allows your brain to replenish it’s naturally occurring neurotransmitters that we often take medication for. A consistent bedtime is crucial. Enjoy a balanced diet with an emphasis on sufficient protein. Without protein, your brain cannot think clearly or regenerate those naturally occurring neurotransmitters. Just 10-15 minutes of exercise can make a positive difference in our mood. Many people who are depressed don’t feel like they have any energy. But the less you do, the less energy you will have. If you start with 5 minutes of exercise a day, you will get more energy and you can extend that to 10 minutes a day, and then 15 minutes, etc. Find some form of exercise that you enjoy, that will help you continue with it even when you don’t feel like it. You might also consider exercising with a friend. That helps with accountability, as well as the social aspect which can help our mood. Pay attention to the thoughts you have. Our feelings are the outward manifestation of the thoughts you believe. Scripture tells us to take every thought captive. That means pay attention to your thoughts and ask if they agree with what God says. If they do not, you must replace those thoughts with the truth of God’s word. When you read God’s word and come across scriptures that really hit you in the heart, write them down and repeat them out loud. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Then when you need them, the Holy Spirit will remind you of those truths, but he can only remind us of those things we’ve already known. Consider listening to our other podcast episodes about depression. Consider reading Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression and the Hope Prevails Bible Study for more information and advice written from the perspective of both a doctor who has diagnosed and treated patients, as well as one who has walked through the depression journey herself. If you have experienced any of the signs and symptoms of depression mentioned above, for more than a couple weeks, consider consulting with your general practitioner to rule out any contributing medical condition, or to see if depression is the cause of such symptoms. If any and all medical conditions have been ruled out, and depression deemed to be the reason for your struggle, consider seeking out the advice and wisdom of a mental health practitioner for ongoing support. Scripture References: Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 30:5 Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Recommended Resources: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK [8255]) is a United States-based suicide prevention network of 161 crisis centers that provides a 24/7, toll-free hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. After dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255), the caller is routed to their nearest crisis center to receive immediate counseling and local mental health referrals. The Lifeline supports people who call for themselves or someone they care about. https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org 6 Tips for Coping with the Post-Holiday Blues Is It the Blues or Something Else? When You Have the Blues The Post-Holiday Blues Two Triggers for the Post-Holiday Blues A Fast Track to the Holiday Blues Pro-Actively Beat the Winter Blues Part 1 Pro-Actively Beat the Winter Blues Part 2 Pro-Actively Beat the Winter Blues Part 3 Pro-Actively Beat the Winter Blues Part 4 Pro-Actively Beat the Winter Blues Part 5 Pro-Actively Beat the Winter Blues Part 6 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide 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 Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Social Media Links for Host and Guest: For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book HopePrevails /  Website  /  Blog  / Facebook / Facebook Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn /  Instagram  / Pinterest / YouTube About Dr. Michelle Bengtson: Dr. Michelle Bengtson is an international speaker, and the author of the bestselling, award winning “Hope Prevails: Insights From A Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression,” the award winning companion “Hope Prevails Bible Study” and the newly released “Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promise.s” She has been a board certified clinical neuropsychologist for more than twenty years. This doctor knows pain and despair firsthand and combines her professional expertise and personal experience with her faith to help others be all God created them to be. Using sound practical tools, she affirms worth and encourages faith. Dr. Bengtson offers hope as a key to unlock joy and relief—even in the middle of the storm. She and her husband of thirty-two years have two teenage sons and reside in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. She blogs regularly on her own site: http://www.DrMichelleBengtson.com and is on most social media platforms. She is also a popular podcast show host of “Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson” at Apple Podcasts. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: If you have ever struggled with comparing yourself to others or wishing you were someone else, then today is the perfect show for you. Today we’re going to be talking about how we get trapped in the comparison cycle and what effect that has on us. All of us struggle with comparison from time to time. Comparison can be used as a tool, but not when we use it to determine if we are worthy and okay. Even before we know there is something different about us or doesn’t measure up, Satan uses that to hold us down. It all boils down to lies and we believe him. This often happens to us early in childhood before we can recognize the lies for what they are. Think about Mary and Martha. That is one of the most classic examples of comparison. But Jesus held both Mary and Martha in such high regard. The root of comparison often comes down to insecurity, but it usually comes back to the enemy of our souls. We all long for and look for love. So we look for assurance and our insecurity prompts us to look around. Sometimes the deeply ingrained comparison stemming from insecurity often comes from the way our faith is distorted. Every good Christian woman knows about the virtuous Proverbs 31 woman and feels like she doesn’t measure up. After a while, we become burdened with the need to become always better without the assurance that we are loved just as we are. God loves us so much that we are adopted as His children and loved as we are, where we are. True humility is accepting what God says about us. We often choose the most outstanding attribute in others and wish we were like that and then take all those outstanding attributes and created a mythical person who doesn’t exist. Often we then project our insecurities onto others around us which can create real problems in relationships. One of the reasons we hold others in such high esteem while we struggle to accept ourselves is because we know all our own sin, but we don’t know about the sin of others. So they look spotless while we feel tarnished. Social media can be used for so much good, but we must not let it be a tool that causes God’s image-bearers to doubt their place. Comparison can be used for good: doctors compare our status to the expected outcome and compare our numbers to the ideal because often someone’s life depends on it. Comparison often helps to ensure social justice. Comparison can be used as a teaching tool during which we compare our efforts with someone who is more knowledgable to learn from it. But comparison often results in isolation to keep us from the fellowship and communion that we were designed for. Comparison is the thief of joy. God himself is about relationship. We were created for relationship because we were created by relationship. We were not intended to stand alone. You are enough. You are more than enough. You were intended to be one part of a beautiful puzzle. You are needed. You are necessary. You are an essential part of a beautiful whole and the rest of us are less without you. Jesus’ father is also your father. He wants only good things for you.  Quotables from the episode: We often look around to determine if we measure up and if we belong. Comparison often results in isolation to keep us from the fellowship and communion that we were designed for. Comparison is the thief of joy. We were created for relationship because we were created by relationship. Comparison is a tool that can be used for good or used for bad. Scripture References: Ephesians 5:1 “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” Proverbs 3:1-2 says “My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years and your life will be satisfying.” Recommended Resources: Mythical Me: Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison by Richella Parham. Anyone interested in looking a little further into the book before deciding to buy can read the first chapter at https://www.ivpress.com/mythical-me. Anyone who purchases the book can download a companion prayer guide; it’s available at com. Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide 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 Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award. Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Richella Parham: Website / Book / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book HopePrevails /  Website  /  Blog  / Facebook / Facebook Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn /  Instagram  / Pinterest / YouTube  Guest: Richella Parham is a speaker, a blogger at ImpartingGrace.com, and the author of Mythical Me: Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison and A Spiritual Formation Primer. The mother of three young adult sons, she lives in Durham, North Carolina with her husband, Jack. She serves in leadership and worship planning at The Gathering Church. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary:  If you have ever failed at accomplishing a New Year’s resolution and then felt bad about yourself, then today is the perfect show for you. The New Year always seems to impose a “re-set,” if you will, on our lives, and often it brings with it the expectation of life-altering changes in the form of resolutions which days later have a tendency to usher in feelings of defeat and failure. But that doesn’t have to be and today we will discuss some healthy alternatives to the fateful New Year’s resolution. Quotables from the episode:One of the problems with New Year’s resolutions is that they largely depend wholly on us. Too often we exclude God from the picture or the process. Resolutions short-circuit the process of discovery of what’s really important to you, or to God. Consider instead, giving yourself a concept to consider and use January to think about why that is appealing to you, and keep in mind the ultimate goal and how you want to achieve that. If we focus less on a specific goal, and more on the overarching theme that is driving the resolution, then we can have more grace with ourselves. Another problem with setting resolutions is that too often when we achieve those resolutions, we realize it’s “not all that and more.”  We often find out that reaching that goal hasn’t fundamentally changed us and we still feel like we have missed out. Too often when people mess up and miss our resolution within days or weeks, we settle in a place of failure instead of recognizing God’s grace. One alternative to New Year’s resolutions is to focus on one word or theme for the word and embrace the discovery of what God wants to teach us throughout the year. Such words or themes often require us to look beyond our circumstances to see how God will work or change us in the process. We go into the New Year with ourselves…we haven’t fundamentally changed, and the turn of the calendar is already imprinted with who you are. So if you haven’t made the changes before, you’ll have to do more than change the calendar to make such changes. But including God in the process lets us ask “God, what is it you want to do in me, through me, and around me?” and partner with Him in that. Another alternative to New Year’s resolutions is to believe in, operate in, and appropriate God’s promises (i.e. worry less about pleasing others, and focus more on doing what pleases God). Something that we often forget in making our New Year’s resolutions is that we often forget that when Jesus died on the cross, He declared that all those things that are the focus of our resolutions “is finished.” Greed, gluttony, selfishness, procrastination, (fill in the blank________) is finished because we have inside us the same power that raised Christ from the dead.  We try to do things in our own strength, but nothing is impossible with God.  So if we go into the New Year, recognizing what Christ accomplished for us on the cross, and has already declared what His will is, then when we are focused on His will, He will help us make the necessary changes. One way to usher into the New Year is to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, as a way of remembering what Christ did for us, and how we want to change to be more like Him. And we can take this time to offer thanksgiving for all God has done in, and through, and for us this past year. May you experience a New Year blessed by Him. Scripture References: Colossians 3:23, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” John 19:30, “When Jesus had tasted it, he said, ‘It is finished!’ Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.” Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Isaiah 43:19, “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Recommended Resources: https://drmichellebengtson.com/new-years-aspiration/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/new-years-goals-getting-back-to-what-matters/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/ask-drb-goals-for-the-new-year/ Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide 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 Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Social Media Links for Host and Guest: For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /  Blog  / Facebook / Facebook Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn /  Instagram  / Pinterest / YouTube  Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary:If you have ever questioned who you are, what your purpose is, or how God views you, then today is the perfect show for you. Today we’re going to be talking about Embracing who we are, and becoming all God created us to be. And in order to know who that is, sometimes we have to dispel some of the lies we have believed about ourselves. My guest on today’s show is author, speaker, and life coach, Holley Gerth. Holley helps us understand some of the most common lies we believe, where these lies come from, and how to replace these lies with life-giving truth about our true identity in Christ. We often have the tendency to believe lies such as “I am not enough…” or “I’m all alone,” or “I’m invisible.” Yet God’s word assures us, that in our humanness we aren’t enough but having Him living inside us is enough and makes us more than conquerors. Furthermore, God sees us, He promises to always be with us, and that He thinks about us constantly. Scripture tells us to guard our heart and our mind and to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus. This means it’s important that we examine our thoughts, determine where they come from and the source of those lies, repent of believing the lies and receive God’s truth. Holley suggests that instead of focusing on all of our flaws, that we focus on the strengths God has entrusted into us, the skills we’ve been given, and those whom we can serve from our strength. It’s so important to know God’s word so that we can recognize the lies when we encounter them, and so that we realize God loves us just as we are, as His children, but that He also loves us so much He doesn’t want to leave us where we are. Quotables from the episode:If you have ever questioned who you are, what your purpose is, or how God views you, then today is the perfect show for you.  We all have lies that we have come to believe about ourselves. One very common lie that people believe is “I am not enough (pretty enough, talented enough, educated enough…).” The truth is, we’re not enough, but Jesus is enough in us. His word says that he will give us everything we need for life and godliness. Another common lie that many believe is “I’m alone” or “I’m invisible.” A U.S.A. Today study said that half of Americans said they had one or fewer people that they could talk to about meaningful things, and that includes spouses and family. So if you have more than one close person in your life to share things with, consider yourself blessed. Sometimes we feel especially alone when we go through transitions (like a move, or a new job, or we’ve become a new parent with a young baby in the home). If you truly have no one to share with or discuss meaningful things with, that’s an especially good time to seek someone out in the mental health field. The lies that we’re prone to believe really started back in the Garden of Eden when the enemy said, “Did God really say…” When we begin hearing those thoughts, we can pause and ask “What is the source of this?” If God is not the source, and the message is not spoken with love, then we can know it’s not the truth. We need to pay attention to our thoughts. The lies we’ve believed become automatic thoughts.  Go to God’s word to find the truth, and be honest with friends when you’re having trouble remembering the truth so they can speak truth to you. Taking every thought captive is an act of war. It’s okay if it’s a battle. It is hard work. It’s easy to fall prey to the imposter syndrome because as long as we’re on this earth, there’s a gap between our real self and our ideal self. We know deep down in our hearts that we are not all we are made to be.  And we think that’s our responsibility to make that happen on earth. Scripture says that He who began a good work in you will see it through to completion. That takes the weight off our shoulders because God is the one who is responsible for doing that work. We’re often prone to asking “Who do I think I am?” In the Bible when Moses argued with God and tried to convince God that he wasn’t up to the task God was calling him to do, God didn’t answer with a reassurance of who Moses was, He answered with a reassurance of who God was. God basically told Moses, and us, not to focus on who we are, but instead focus on who God is. Sometimes it comes down to us trusting God. We can have an honest dialogue with God and admit “I don’t know if I can trust you, God, but I want to.” God says that when you seek Him with your whole heart, you will find Him. Start by looking not at what has to happen but at what strengths you already possess. What characteristics of God show up in your life? What are some of the skills God has given you? And who is God asking you to serve in this season of your life? Put those three things together, and those overlapping circles in the middle of those three is probably your God-given sweet spot. These Bible Verses describe how God sees you. They will help you see yourself as God sees you. God says you are created in His image. (Genesis 1:27) “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” God says you are a loved child of the Most High God. (John 1:12) “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” God thinks you are beautiful. (Song of Solomon 4:7) “You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.” When God looks at you, He sees the righteousness of Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:21) “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Genesis 1:27, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” John 1:12, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." Song of Solomon 4:7, “You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.” 2 Corinthians 5:21, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Recommended Resources: You’re Already Amazing: Embracing Who We Are, Becoming All God Created Us to Be by Holley Gerth https://amzn.to/2MOM7DU Fiercehearted: Live Fully, Love Bravely by Holley Gerth https://amzn.to/36kBT62 Strong, Brave, Loved: Empowering Reminders of Who You Really Are by Holley Gerth https://amzn.to/36jKdDe You’re Going to Be Okay: Encouraging Truth Your Heart Needs to Hear, Especially on the Hard Days by Holley Gerth https://amzn.to/2rKtr0S See Yourself as God Sees You Who God Says You Are: 17 Scriptures About our True Identity Rejoice! You are Not Alone! God is With You! YourRX 17 Bible Verses: Who God Says You Are and What God Says About You 10 Scriptures for When You Need Strength Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide 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 Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Holley: Website / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /  Blog / Facebook /  Instagram  / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  / Pinterest / YouTube  Guest: Holley Gerth Holley Gerth is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of You’re Already Amazing as well as several other books. She’s a follower of Jesus, wife to Mark and mama to Lovelle. She loves encouraging the hearts of women and you can connect with her at www.holleygerth.com. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: If you have ever felt overwhelmed, worn out, or overcome by holiday pressures, then today is the perfect show for you. Today we’re going to be talking about soul care: how to reduce anxiety with tips on tending to your soul and remaining unruffled during the chaos of the holidays Whether we have a lot of time or a little time, our Heavenly Father delights in spending time with us. When we spend time with Him, we can rid ourselves of worry, fear, and anxiety, and remain in His peace. When we think about Jesus’s three years of ministry, he walked into the most chaotic environments but brought His peace with Him. So we can walk into any situation, allowing God’s peace to dominate us, and then it will spread outward. As believers with the Holy Spirit, we do carry God’s peace with us, but too often we forfeit that peace by becoming consumed by the chaos around us. Peace is not the opposite of chaos, it comes from inside so it’s not dependent on our circumstances. We need to look at situations from God’s vantage point. We are all capable of bringing His peace to our situations but we have to be more deliberate and less easily influenced by our circumstances. Anxiety comes from looking at our circumstances rather than up at our heavenly Father. We lose our peace when we’ve gotten our focus wrong. We never see the entire situation, but He can because He’s already gone before us. So often we become consumed by focusing on the details when He wants us to leave the details to Him and trust Him with the big picture. Try to make time for family, friends, and memory making. Be sure to make sure you are already plugged into God, before the chaos takes over. Taking time at the end of the day to still our thoughts and give God our cares of the day can help us sleep more peacefully and wake up unruffled the next morning. By looking over the plans of the next day, we can wake up prepared instead of in a panic about the day. Understand that your wellbeing is paramount to God, as well as the wellbeing of those around you. You cannot get water from an empty well. It’s just not possible to pour out when we ourselves are dry and empty. He wants us to be taking care of our own soul, and taking care of our physical body so that it doesn’t give out on you. Quotables from the episode: “Find your voice, live your story.” Edie Melson Whether we have a lot of time or a little time, our Heavenly Father delights in spending time with us. When we think about Jesus’s three years of ministry, he walked into the most chaotic environments but brought His peace with Him. Scripture References: John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” Philippians 3:16, “Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” Recommended Resources: Books in the Soul Care Series Soul Care When You’re Weary by Edie Melson https://amzn.to/2EK2Io2 Soul Care for Writers by Edie Melson https://amzn.to/2tIPgyH Soul Care When You’re Grieving (releasing January 2020) Soul Care When You’re an Empty Nester (releasing August 2020) Unruffled: Thriving in Chaos by Edie Melson and Rhonda Rhea https://amzn.to/2PP52AN “Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson https://amzn.to/2ZSTP4N 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 Social Media Links for Host and Guest: To connect with Edie Melson: https://ediemelson.com/ https://www.boldvisionbooks.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Stop2Pray/ https://twitter.com/EdieMelson https://www.facebook.com/edie.melson 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: Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers experiencing life through the lens of her camera. No matter whether she’s talking to readers, fellow creatives, or writers, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Edie has this to say about her heritage, “I’m creative out of self-defense. As the daughter of an artist-mother and musician-turned-photographer-father, I’d have been a disgrace if I hadn’t been true to my own creativity.” Edie’s a popular speaker and a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, and the social media director of Southern Writers Magazine. Connect with her on her website, www.EdieMelson.com and through Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. She and husband Kirk have been married 38+ years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in SC where they love to hike and wander the mountains. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: We all want a peaceful Christmas, but, “life gets busy.” Sometimes we’re forced to slow down, and guess what? We discover we actually CAN let go of some of the tasks and duties that not only weigh us down, but also steal our peace. Don’t we all desire more peace during the holidays? From November first until the decorations come down sometime in January, and then the credit card bills start coming in, stress and anxiety rise and with it, our peace dwindles. What a shame when the reason for the holiday is the celebration of the Prince of Peace. What if I told you that you really can let go of some of the anxiety and overwhelm of the holiday season with some simple ways to create more peace during the holidays? It’s true. I’ve been there and have been so grateful for making some simple changes so that I could celebrate from a peaceful place. You can too as you read about ways to create a more peaceful holiday season. Last week, on Ways to create a More Peaceful Holiday Season Part 1 - Episode 35, we talked about the fact that in order to create a more peaceful holiday season, we need to remember who the source of our peace is. We also started talking about ways to recognize and reduce our expectations of ourselves and others in order to experience less worry and anxiety and more of His peace during the holidays. So often Paul addressed the people in his letters by saying “Grace and peace to you from God our Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.” God wants us to experience His peace, But we cannot experience true peace apart from God’s presence.” So much worry, fear, and anxiety are a result of trying to maintain control of things that we cannot control. And we certainly cannot control others’ expectations. If all the holidays' preparations are a burden to you, whose expectations are you trying to live up to? Consider sitting the family down to determine what expectations they have. If you didn’t do ____, it wouldn’t feel like Christmas to them. This could mean just sending digital Christmas cards instead of physically mailing cards. Or perhaps you reduce your baking to just baking the family’s absolute favorite treats. Consider lessening the amount of decorating you do to the favorite décor for your family. You might also consider cutting back on the holiday meals to just the favorite dishes or buying a precooked meal to reduce the stress you encounter during the holiday season. Limiting the gift-giving not only simplifies things, but helps you be a good steward of what God has given you, and lets you enjoy people over presents. Assess why you do what you do? Is it because you’re trying to live up to someone else’s expectations? Is it bringing you joy or draining yourself of joy? In our gift-giving, I think it’s so important to teach our children that Christmas isn’t about them, but about the greatest gift God could ever give in the birth of His son. And it’s great to take a lesson from the wisemen and limit our gift-giving to those that are the most special way to communicate our love to each other. We try so hard to set the perfect table, cook the perfect meal, and give the perfect gifts. But one great gift to give others is to release them from our expectations of how they will respond. They will never live up to the expectations in our mind anyway. Another way to maintain peace during the holidays is to choose our focus.  It’s crucial that we focus on maintaining our healthy routines during the holidays. Consider continuing to make time for a daily quiet time, getting in your regular exercise, make rest a priority, and eat well. But it’s also important to maintain a nightly routine: review your calendar for the next day or two so you aren’t taken by surprise the next day, record the new tasks that come up that must be completed, consider reading an advent reading or similar devotion each evening before going to bed, and pray thanking God for what He enabled you to do during the day and giving him your cares for all your tomorrows. Another way to choose our focus is to limit technology during the holiday season. It’ll free up your time to get some of the holiday-specific tasks completed. Another way to choose our focus is to limit negativity and negative inputs. Also consider helping those who are alone or are going through a hard time during the holidays. Even when you are feeling down, you’d be surprised how helping others will encourage your own heart and bring a sense of peace to your heart and mind. Quotables from the episode: We cannot experience true peace apart from God’s presence. In our gift-giving, I think it’s so important to teach our children that Christmas isn’t about them, but about the greatest gift God could ever give in the birth of His son. Even when you are feeling down, you’d be surprised how helping others will encourage your own heart and bring a sense of peace to your heart and mind.  Scripture References: Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” Isaiah 26:3 “He will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on thee.” Luke 6:31 “Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” Philippians 4:6-7 “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. THEN you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Recommended Resources: “Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson https://amzn.to/2ZSTP4N Breaking Anxiety’s Grip free study guide https://drmichellebengtson.com/breaking-anxietys-grip-study-guide/ “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 Social Media Links for Host and Guest: For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: To order Hope Prevails: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/ Website: https://www.DrMichelleBengtson.com Blog: https://drmichellebengtson.com/category/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/ Dr. Michelle Bengtson is an international speaker, and the author of the bestselling, award winning “Hope Prevails: Insights From A Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression” and the award winning companion “Hope Prevails Bible Study” and the soon to be released “Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises” (Sept 2019). She has been a board certified clinical neuropsychologist for more than twenty years. This doctor knows pain and despair firsthand and combines her professional expertise and personal experience with her faith to help others be all God created them to be. Using sound practical tools, she affirms worth and encourages faith. Dr. Bengtson offers hope as a key to unlock joy and relief—even in the middle of the storm. She and her husband of thirty-two years have two teenage sons and reside in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. She blogs regularly on her own site: http://www.DrMichelleBengtson.com and is on most social media platforms. She is also a popular podcast show host of “Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson” at https://apple.co/2madPRo Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.