Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast

Episode Summary:   If you’ve ever been in a caregiving role, whether it be for a child, spouse, sick parent or relative, you know how hard it can be to care for yourself as well. In this episode, we are going to talk about caregiver burnout, and how we can have hope as caregivers, despite the toll it can take.   We’ll be talking with Sarah Forgrave, one who has been in the position of caregiver for at least two different family members, and author of the book Prayers of Hope for Caregivers.   Sarah’s impetus for writing about hope and prayer for caregivers was birthed out of her own season of caregiving for her sister, and then for her young son. Sarah learned ways to help avoid caregiver burnout. She understands the many challenges a caregiver faces, and the fact that caregivers are often overlooked in the shadow of the person who’s sick.   Sarah shares how she learned that we can talk to God authentically where we are, that we don’t have to put on a Christian mask, and that He welcomes us just as we are.   Sarah also shares that in order to avoid caregiver burnout, carve out a few minutes each day to nurture your soul. During times of caregiving, all of your attention goes toward the other person’s wellbeing, but don’t forget about your own needs in the process. Self-care is crucial to providing care for others.   As you go through each day, pay attention to the five-minute windows you have alone (like when your care recipient is sleeping, when you’re driving, etc.), and make one intentional choice to nurture our relationship with God. Maybe read a short devotional at home or listen to an uplifting worship song while you drive. You might take a few deep breaths and incorporate Scripture medication with it—whatever fits the moment.   Quotables from the episode:   If you have ever been a caregiver to a child, or a sick parent, spouse, friend, or relative, then today is the perfect episode for you. When you feel alone or invisible as a caregiver, remember that God sees you and hears you. His strength is more than enough to carry us through—it may be a minute by minute process of trust, but He will provide what we need. It is not selfish for the caregiver to engage in some self-care, in fact, it will help avoid caregiver burnout. You have to refill yourself before you can pour out on others. In order to avoid caregiver burnout, carve out a few minutes each day to nurture your soul. Listening to this episode can help.   Scripture References:   Psalm 142:4-5 “I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me. Then I pray to you, O Lord, I say, ‘you are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life.” Psalm 22:24 “God has never let you down, never looked the other way when you were being kicked around. He has never wandered off to do his own thing; he has been right there, listening.” 1 Peter 5:10 “After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”   Recommended Resources:   Sarah’s website, sarahforgrave.com has additional resources both for caregivers and the person who is sick, including biblical encouragement, uplifting songs for hard times, and more. It also contains resources for friends wanting to come alongside someone going through a hard time, including thoughtful gift ideas, meal delivery suggestions, and printable cards of encouragement. Prayers of Hope for Caregivers by Sarah Forgrave https://amzn.to/2xpZB0X Prayers of Hope and Healing by Sarah Forgrave https://amzn.to/32gdjBU https://drmichellebengtson.com/caring-for-the-caregiver/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/5-tips-for-having-a-servant-heart/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/how-to-support-someone-with-cancer/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/dementia-caregiver-lessons-pt1/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/dementia-caregiver-lessons-pt2/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/dementia-caregiver-lessons3/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/dementia-caregiver-lessons4/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/dementia-caregiver-lessons5/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/practical-grace-how-to-not-be-friend-to-someone-with-cancer-part-1/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/practical-grace-what-not-to-say-to-someone-with-cancer-part-2/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/practical-grace-how-to-be-friend-to-someone-with-cancer-part-3/ “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:   Stay connected to Sarah Forgrave   Website: https://www.sarahforgrave.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahForgrave Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahforgrave_author Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sarahforgrave   For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:   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: Sarah Forgrave, author and speaker Sarah Forgrave is the author of Prayers of Hope for Caregivers and Prayers for Hope and Healing, prayer devotionals that connect readers to God during hard times. Familiar with the broken messes of life, Sarah loves encouraging others toward a deeper walk of faith. When she’s not writing or speaking, she loves to shop the aisles at Trader Joe’s or spend time with her husband and two preteen children in their Midwest home. Visit Sarah at www.sarahforgrave.com.   Air Date: July 1, 2019   Guest: Sarah Forgrave 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:   Statistics suggest that 1 in 3 women will have an abortion, and all need to know there is hope for what they often experience as a post abortion syndrome.  The ultimate shame and grief over the loss of that child is often as intense as a mother who loses a child to miscarriage or premature death. If you or a loved one have endured an abortion, then today is the perfect show for you for a hope-filled perspective.   In this episode we talk with Jessica DeYoung, who shares her story surrounding her decision to have an abortion, as well as her experience with the post abortion syndrome.  Jessica explains that she believed that if she had her baby, it would destroy her family, and that she felt (as many women do) that abortion was the only option.  So she and her boyfriend came to the conclusion that they needed to take the life of someone nobody knew about rather than destroying both of their families.   Jessica shared that she repeatedly asked God to forgive her for having an abortion, and one day when she was apologizing yet again and asking God to forgive her, he replied, “Sweet daughter, I don’t know what you are talking about” because He had already forgiven her, but she had yet to receive His forgiveness and forgive herself.  Jessica explained that part of the healing process in her post abortion syndrome entailed sharing her story, first with one person, then with many, so that the secrets she held in the dark would no longer have power over her.   Quotables from the episode:   One in three women will have an abortion. If you are one who has experienced an abortion and have been trying to heal from post abortion syndrome, then this episode is for you. When you are pregnant and in a desperate situation, it feels like there is nothing else you can do, but that is not the truth. Each of us will have times in our lives where there feels there is no way out of the situation so we take things into our own hands. With hardship, it doesn’t matter how big or little it seems to other people, when you are the one going through it, it is a big things. Loving a woman who is in the midst of a post abortion syndrome can help them not feel so ashamed and allow them to heal. Satan wants to keep up in darkness, but as soon as we shine God’s light into our darkness and through the cracks of our hurt and pain, shame, and guilt, that is where healing starts. It is never God who inflicts guilt, shame, or condemnation on us—that always comes from the enemy of our soul. God is faithful to forgive us. We don’t have the power to forgive ourselves nor do we have the power to save ourselves. What we do have the power to do is to trust in the forgiveness of our Father, and to fully surrender and trust that what He said is true.   Key Scriptures:   “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 “There is therefore no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4   Recommended Resources:   “Surrendering the Secret: Healing the Heartbreak of Abortion” by Pat Layton https://amzn.to/2Lrls0l https://www.surrenderingthesecret.com https://drmichellebengtson.com/5-things-you-should-know-if-you-are-healing-after-abortion/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/ask-dr-b-what-do-i-do-when-i-cant-forgive-myself/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/mistakes-forgiven/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/when-you-dont-feel-like-forgiving/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/grieve-well/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/is-it-grief-or-depression/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/15-tips-to-survive-grief/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/truths-to-remember-when-it-feels-like-life-is-falling-apart/ “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:   Stay connected with Jessica DeYoung   Website: http://blog.graceunworthy.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessdeyoung/   For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:   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/   Air Date: June 17, 2019   Guest: Jessica DeYoung, founder of Grace Unworthy ministry 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:   Recently, close to Mother’s Day, we aired an episode about overcoming Mother Wounds. We received very positive feedback about that episode, and felt that as we near Father’s Day, knowing that can be a painful day for many, that we should also have an episode about the impact of being fatherless and experiencing Father Wounds.   If you have been left fatherless, or have ever felt wounded by your earthly father, or felt that your relationship with your earthly father has potentially negatively impacted your relationship with your Heavenly Father, then today is the perfect show for you. You don’t have to be fatherless to experience father wounds.   Today I’m talking with my friend, Lisa Burkhardt Worley, author of The Only Father I Ever Knew: How a Fatherless Child Finally Found True Love. In this episode, Lisa shared her experience of living fatherless from birth, and how she came to realize the need to heal the resulting father wounds that ensued. Lisa shared how she came to experience a relationship with God, her heavenly father, and begin to heal the wound that began when she was left fatherless at birth.   Lisa and I talked about the impact of being fatherless on our personality and our behavior, and how we interact with others. We also talked about some ways to begin the healing process.   Quotables from the episode:   If you have ever felt wounded by your earthly father, or felt that your relationship with your earthly father has potentially negatively impacted your relationship with your Heavenly Father, then today is the episode for you. A father wound can occur when a relationship with a father was not all God intended it to be; whether from an absent father, an abusive father, or even a father who was physically present but not emotionally present. A father speaks into your self-esteem. The father is so important to a child’s well-being. When someone is fatherless, they often struggle with self-esteem, and often search elsewhere for the love of a father figure. Father wounds can occur to boys or girls, men or women. The Heavenly Father will pursue us. Sometimes we say yes, and sometimes we run the other direction. The decision is ours. God has a heart for the fatherless. He doesn’t want you to feel alone. But we have to be open to Him stepping into that role of father for us. We can tell God the Father anything we want to. There is nothing hidden in His sight. We cannot equate God the Father to our earthly fathers. Many think of God the Father as distant. But He is our Abba Daddy who views us as His child. He wants an intimate relationship with Him. If our earthly father was abusive, we think of God as a harsh God. If our earthly father was absent, leaving us fatherless, we think of God as a distant God. But in actuality, He pursues us through His word, through other people. Search the Bible to see what the Word says about God the Father. He is beyond our comprehension. He has such a deep love for us that it takes God’s power to be able to appreciate how great it is (Eph. 3). God, out of his love for us, gave mankind free will. That’s the way it is with our earthly fathers who wrong us. Wounded people wound people. Sometimes we need to look to see what kind of a childhood our fathers had, because it can influence how they father us. If we will forgive our earthly father, it releases something inside us so that we can accept the love of the Heavenly Father. It’s never too late to get to know your heavenly father. God loves you with a perfect, never-ending love. He loves you so much that He gave His only son so that if we accept His gift, we can live with Him and be loved on forever for eternity, with a perfect love.     Scripture References:   Psalm 68:5 “Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—this is God, whose dwelling is holy.” 1 John 3:1 “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.” Psalm 146:3-5 “Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them. But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.”     Recommended Resources:   The Only Father I Ever Knew: How a Fatherless Child Finally Found True Love by Lisa Burkhardt Worley Knowing the Father: A Six-Week Bible Study to Understand God’s Father-Like Attributes by Lisa Burkhardt Worley Pearls of Promise: A Devotional Designed to Reassure You of God’s Love by Lisa Burkhardt Worley https://drmichellebengtson.com/words-from-a-loving-father/ The Overcoming Life by Jimmy Evans “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:   Stay connected with Lisa Burkhardt Worley:   Website: pearlsofpromiseministries.com Website: atimetodream.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PearlsOfPromiseMinistries/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/pearlsofpromise   For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:   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/   Air Date: June 10, 2019   Guest: Lisa Burkhardt Worley, Author, Speaker, Radio Show Host  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.