Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast

Episode Summary:  In this heartwarming episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, we explore how to love God, yourself, and others as I welcome author Rachael Adams. We discuss why she wrote her devotional, Everyday Prayers for Love, and what she learned while writing it. Inspired by a moment in a church pew, Rachael shares how God called her to be His “love offering” and to help others experience His transforming love. In this episode, we explore biblical love, the importance of accepting God’s love, and practical ways to love ourselves and others. With insights on prayer and purpose, this conversation invites listeners to discover how to start living out God’s love in everyday life. Quotables from the episode: The biggest battle has always been maybe striving for approval and striving for acceptance and for love. I grew up in a divorced home and my earthly father was not around much. And so I think I just always wanted just to be seen and known and loved. And So, I went in search of that. I'm so scared to disappoint anybody. I’m very much a people-pleaser, and so to really start to learn of God's love and experience that from my heavenly father has just really shaped the person I am and changed everything. It changed the trajectory of my life. And now I just want to share that with the world around me. Our early experiences, before we're even really cognitively aware of what's going on or what God has to say about it, really does shape our perspective and how we look at God, at the world, and ourselves. So how we’re living our faith maybe is different, but our goal is all the same. What does the Bible teach us about both the nature and the characteristic of love? After I had my son, I really believe that as God was teaching me how to become a mother, he was also teaching me how he was my father. And I believe that as I was holding my son, God was really holding me. He can use us flawed humans to be an expression of his love to others. The greatest act of love was that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! That’s why he came to save us. He knew we weren’t perfect and that we needed him. It’s so important for us to be filled with God’s love first, to have anything to give to others. Scripture talks about the fullness of God. So what are we watching? What are we reading? Who are we surrounding ourselves with? What are the words that are on repeat? Nothing else in the world will satisfy but Christ himself. When we receive God’s love, there’s a freedom in that, and a security in that. There’s the saying that there’s nothing that we can do to make God love us any more, and there’s nothing that we can do to make God love us any less, and we don’t have to work for it. Scripture References: Matthew 22:36-40 “’Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and without all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Ephesians 3:17-19 “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,…grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and…know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” 1 John 4:19 encourages, “I pray this not just for your sake, but also so that you may extend this newfound love to others. Afterall, ‘We love you because he first loved us.” Romans 8:39 “…No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”   Recommended Resources:  Everyday Prayers for Love: Learning to Love God, Others, and Even Yourself by Rachael Adams  A Little Goes a Long Way: 52 Days to a Significant Life by Rachael Adams www.millionprayingmoms.com/the-think-pray-praise-method-of-daily-prayer Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson  The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms   Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip 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 Trusting God Through Cancer 1 Trusting God Through Cancer 2 Revive & Thrive Women's Conference Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.) Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win   Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Rachael Adams: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Podcast 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: Author of A Little Goes a Long Way and Everyday Prayers for Love, Rachael Adams, hopes to help women realize God’s love and purpose for their lives. She and her husband, Bryan, live in Kentucky with their two children, Will and Kate. Her work has been featured on Good Morning America, Crosswalk, Proverbs 31, Today Parenting, and YouVersion. Connect with her by visiting rachaelkadams.com, searching @rachaeladamsauthor on Instagram and Facebook, and tuning in to The Love Offering podcast every Tuesday on your favorite listening platform.    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:  When you marry, your heart overflows with enthusiasm, exhilaration, and optimism. You can’t wait to start a new life with this one whose mere presence or voice causes an abundance of feel-good neurotransmitters to your brain. But soon after, differences in temperament, gender, family of origin, and marital expectations collide. You discover that the characteristics and behaviors you once found attractive in your mate, are now sources of irritation and frustration. Conflict erupts, causing reactivity in your temperament to surface more often. Before long, your dialogue degrades with frequent accusations and debates about perspective. The enemy in this fight isn’t your spouse. Unmanaged reactivity, those involuntary and unregulated reactive messages you inadvertently send your spouse when you’re triggered is the culprit. Today, Dr. Donald Welch joins me to talk about how to recognize reactivity, understand its origin and work together to eliminate it, learning to respond rather than react in our marriages. Quotables from the episode: The enemy is not your spouse. Our temperament is really the way God made us. And so understanding how we are made allows us to become more comfortable and really at peace with who we are and who we are not, because we're created in God's image. And as we embrace our natural temperament, we are then in a better position to also accept and embrace our spouses temperament rather than trying to change them into someone they aren't. Before marriage, there's a tendency to attract to the opposite and after marriage to attack that opposite when it's really one of our best friends in a healthy marriage. So, as we learn more about our temperament, we can focus on enhancing our strengths and minimizing our weaknesses. The way God made us is to be able to protect ourselves. So for example, if I were to touch or you were to touch something hot, your hand or my hand would react before the brain knows it's hot. It's a way to protect ourselves. So what happens with the limbic system is that we can have all sorts of reactions. Like for example, if I squint my eyes, the other person or we're having dialogue, you might involuntarily react to it. Or if somebody screams or you hear something sharp, you might have a reaction to be awakened to see, do I need to take care of something? So we have hundreds of these normal reactions, and I've seen it for 40 years in marriages, in the sense of working with couples, that they will tend to react to each other before they're aware and then they're off to the races, and it's difficult to decrease that. So I define reactivity as involuntary, unconscious thought, uncontrolled relationship, impeding behaviors that originate from the feeling part of our brain known as the limbic system. We can have these involuntary reactions in a marriage that actually set up the marriage for difficulty. So since these originate from the feeling part of the brain rather than the thinking part of the brain, they're largely outside of our conscious awareness, so it can make it insidious to the relationship. So we want awareness. Is it possible that we react to present conflict even based out of past wounds in other relationships? - Oh yes, that's very common. In fact, it's why unfortunately, second marriages move up to about 80 % of potentially divorce because they're bringing in those reactions. In my opinion, those reactions, and there's what I believe support this, is that those reactions are coming into the relationship. And so now that person reminds me of something from the past. That's why those first eight years of life for any child are incredibly important because we are, the way our brains design, we absorb emotion and then that emotion can stay with us and then we can practice it without even knowing and then it's a reaction into adulthood. You suggest that the greater a couple's differences, the more likely their marriage will be to succeed. And that's not what society typically says, so help us understand that a bit. Yes, that's a fascinating concept that really God created the opposite, man and woman. And may I just quickly tie into this idea of wounds and how it may impact your current question because many people believe that their past is the past and it does not affect them now. Others may believe that their past can affect them but they think they have dealt with it and it is now irrelevant. The truth is emotions never forget. There is nothing ambiguous about marriage in the Bible. It is far superior to any other permutation—offering stability for kids, security for spouses, and higher rates of happiness overall. Intimacy only exists in an environment filled with trust and loyalty. Intimacy can be defined as a close relationship that does not operate at the expense of the self, with a self that does not operate at the expense of the other, and in which each person is fully known and fully loved. The freedom to choose to respond rather than react is a gift of being human. Love only exists where choice is present. When choice is eliminated, so is intimacy. The path out of reactivity to a responsive marriage is a continuous journey to discover the fulfilling and deeply satisfying marriage you desire. Fewer adults are getting and staying married. Those who do tend to have unrealistic expectations or poor communication and conflict resolution skills. When one understands and embraces their natural temperament and learns to minimize negative reactivity in the expression of their temperament, their important relationships will flourish and grow. A relationship lacking nurture wipes out any trust one may have in the other person. Unmet expectations are relationship killers. Intimacy only exists in an environment filled with trust and loyalty. We can’t simply change the definition of marriage and think you can solve relationship problems. No studies show any form of alternative family as better than what has been traditionally defined for millenia.   Scripture References: Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 5 Galatians 5 Romans 4:17 As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed--the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.   Recommended Resources:  The Responsive Marriage: Finding the Path Out of Reactivity by Dr. Donald W. Welch, Ph.D., LMFT Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson  The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms   Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip 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 Trusting God Through Cancer 1 Trusting God Through Cancer 2 Revive & Thrive Women's Conference Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.) Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win   Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Dr. Donald Welch, Ph.D., LMFT: Enriching Relationships Website / Welch Therapy Institute Website / Instagram / Facebook   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: Dr. Donald Welch is a licensed marriage and family therapist, professor, and national speaker. He holds three master’s degree and a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. He’s an ordained minister, and founder of the Center for Enriching Relationships, a professional counseling center with multiple sites in San Diego, California. He lives in Coronado, California with his wife, and together they have two grown 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:  We've all had moments where we look back on a conflict, shake our heads, and think, why did I handle it that way? With three decades of ministry experience, Donna Jones has had a front-row seat to--and been in the middle of--all kinds of conflict and she understands the regret, guilt, heartache, and hurt conflict can produce. But she also knows it's possible for God to use those chaotic, painful moments and turn them into opportunities for better connection with those around us.  Whether you are dealing with daily disagreements or occasional blowups, our discussion on how to handle conflict will offer you a new paradigm, one where you learn how to honor God when you've been hurt, communicate when you'd rather retaliate, and move toward others when it seems easier to run away. Have you ever looked back on a conflict and wished you'd handled it better? Donna Jones shares wisdom on how to handle conflict with humility, communicating effectively, and honoring God in tough moments. Learn how to turn conflict into an opportunity for growth and connection.   Quotables from the episode: Conflict actually serves as a platform for personal development. During that difficult season, I had to come to terms with something. I would have nodded and given an intellectual ascent to this truth that I'm about to say, but I didn't yet have to really live it. And that is that you cannot change another person. You can only change yourself.” You cannot change another person. You can only change yourself. I need to stop focusing and obsessing over the other people and start really assessing myself and how I'm dealing with this, that's when breakthroughs started to happen. I grew in my relationship with the Lord because I really got to the point where I had to invite God into this and just say, God, this hurts. I invite you into this pain. I had to search the scriptures and go, I can't do anything about them, but I am responsible for handling my side of the to your word. Even in the worst-case scenario, when there's not reconciliation in a conflict, there can be personal growth. Because you surrender and you start to go, okay, Lord, I, this is where I really am putting my faith into practice in the really hard stuff of life. What is the single most important quality necessary for handling conflict in a healthy way? And why is that important? There actually is one single thing that if this piece is missing, you cannot handle conflict in a healthy way. It's that important. And interestingly, Michelle, you brought up Romans 8:28. God causes all things together for the good, for those who love him, for those who are called according to his purpose, but Romans 8:29 is, for whom those he foreknew, he predestined to become conformed to the image of Christ. So how he works things out is he causes us to be more Christ -like. And that one quality that you cannot handle conflict well without is humility. And that's the mark of Jesus. Humility does not make us a doormat for exploitation. It makes us a doorway for conversation. You can still be angry and be humble. You can still speak your mind and voice your thoughts, feelings, and opinions, and be humble, right? You can still have boundaries and be humble, because biblically, humility is strength restrained. So, it comes from a place of strength. It doesn't come from a place of weakness. And see, when I allow myself just to be humiliated, that comes from a place where I don't have a voice. I don't have, you know, it's a place of weakness, not strength. But if I am choosing to be humble, that is me making a choice to restrain myself. "At its root, all conflict is really a power struggle." So, think about that, whether it's your toddler or your teenager or your teammate at work, when there's conflict at its root, it's really a power struggle, right? So, who's gonna get their way? Whose voice gets heard? Whose opinion is validated? Who, you know, it's a power struggle. So, what ends up happening is that when conflict escalates, we're vying for power. You know “you listen to me. No, you listen to me. No, you listen to me. No, no, no, you listen to me, right?” It escalates. This is why that humility is like the key because humility doesn't play the power game. Humility takes the escalation and it deescalates it and that's why it is the superpower for handling conflict. There's a sweet spot in the middle where we're not avoiders or not attackers. We are addressers. And these are the people who actually go, okay, this is conflict. Avoiding it is not going to make it go away. It's still going to be there and it's still going to be eating me up inside. Here’s one that most people don’t think of, but it's particularly lethal, and that's being dismissive. So when another person approaches us with a concern, when we say things like, “again? like, oh my gosh, why are you making this such a big deal? Like, just get over it. Like, you're such a drama queen.” Or we roll our eyes, even though we're listening and we're nonverbally, that is basically saying, “I don't care about you, I care about me.” If that is not the precursor to destruction of a relationship, I don't know what it is because when we are dismissive of another person's concern, we're basically disregarding them and it's disrespecting them and you cannot have a relationship with disrespect. Don’t be dismissive. I would say that's a no -no. And then number two, I would think, is the way we apologize. And sometimes we think, “why do I have to be the first one to apologize?” Worrying about who goes first or, and this is just as destructive: is to apologize, but add the word “but.”  “I'm sorry that I hurt your feelings but you know you…” and then because what that was really saying is the whole fault is yours, I would never have done what I did if you didn't do first what you did and while sometimes that's true that doesn't go far in healing or reconciliation and it certainly doesn't show humility. Also, don't say, “I'm sorry you feel that way.” That is not an apology, because I'm not owning anything I did. Somebody has to go first. Why not me, right? It seems like through this conversation, the word that keeps coming to mind is “honor.” Conflict doesn't usually honor another person. It stirs up pain and accusation which produces resentment and guilt and remorse and all the things. Honor doesn't mean that you agree with them. It doesn't mean that you don't have your own side and your own justification. Isn't that what we all want? Isn't that what drives so much of conflict is we feel like we're dismissed, we're not seen, or not heard and that's what stirs us up to more conflict. We want to be understood so the faster we can say oh we don't have to agree with it but like, "Oh, I understand why you would feel that way." then it makes the other person feel acknowledged and seen, and it takes this escalation that's happening with the power struggle, 'cause the person's saying, "Please understand me, "please understand me, please understand me." And all of a sudden, it just tones it down, right? This does not mean that we don't have a voice and that we don't also say our perspective, or our opinions, but it's the way we do it is with honor, honoring the other person. And that's the difference. Whenever I have to have a hard conversation, I pray this, “Lord, let this be a conversation of three, not two.” That's a game changer. So, I would say that's number one. Just “Lord, let this be a conversation of three, you and me and the other person, not just two. “   Scripture References: Proverbs 15:18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. Romans 8:28-30 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who i have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.   Recommended Resources:  Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide for Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regrets By Donna Jones Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson  The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms   Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip 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 Trusting God Through Cancer 1 Trusting God Through Cancer 2 Revive & Thrive Women's Conference Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.) Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win   Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Donna Jones: Website / Instagram / Podcast   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: Donna Jones is a national speaker, church planter, pastor’s wife, and self-described “Bible-explainer” who has spoken in 26 states and four continents. A graduate of UCLA with a degree in interpersonal communications, she hosts the weekly “That’s Just What I Needed” podcast, and is the author of “Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide for Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regrets.” Donna is passionate about equipping others to know, love, and follow God in their real, everyday lives. She wants to know, love, and follow God this way herself. She and her husband, JP Jones, make their home in Southern California.   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:  In the last episode, Jessica and I discussed managing seasonal affective disorder with faith and hope. We talked about what Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is, how to recognize it, and some practical strategies to cope with it. This week, we’re offering additional tips and strategies for coping with SAD. If you’re struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder, these tips will help you find renewed strength and hope through practical, faith-filled strategies grounded in both Scripture and proven clinical insights. Learn how to care for your mind, body, and spirit while trusting God to meet you in your need. Quotables from the episode: Seasonal Affective Disorder is a mental health concern that typically shows up in the colder, darker winter months, linked to seasonal changes. Some common symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include fatigue or exhaustion, feelings of sadness, increased loneliness, discouragement, lack of motivation, decreased interest in previously enjoyable activities, change in appetite, and/or change in sleep patterns. If you’ve experienced more than a couple of these for more than a few weeks, you might be struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder When we struggle with depression or other mental health disorders, it can impact our faith walk in our faith journey. We need to address mind, body, and soul, so we cannot leave out the spiritual aspect of our emotional struggles. When you’re in the middle of seasonal affective disorder, immerse yourself in Scripture somehow, whether you listen to it read to you through the YouVersion Bible app, or maybe You just camp out in Ephesians and you just reread that book through the month of January and then pick another book in the month of February. Worship music, that ministers to my heart in so many ways, especially when it's so hard to read. When I'm depressed, I find it hard to comprehend what I'm reading, but worship music penetrates all of that and I still feel touched and connected and I can praise God. Rest is so important for one thing because we can have a tendency to push and push and push and push especially during the holidays. We have mentioned this in previous episodes that a lot of us take on a lot of extra duties during the holidays, but nothing ever comes off our plate. So then we get to January and February, we feel depleted. We cannot continue to pour out of an empty cup. So we have to take time to physically rest, mentally rest, and spiritually rest to recharge. God wants us to take some time to rest. And the good news about that is that while we are resting in him, he's doing things in the background. We're not going to do anything important. So, if we could look at these wintering months with expectancy of what God's going to do, maybe they won't have such a downcast experience in our soul. It's also important to stay connected with friends and family. When I have been in the throes of SAD,  as an extrovert, it's tempting to withdraw because it just takes too much energy. But I know that I need to have interaction and even having 50 % of my family introverts, they still need social interaction just because you're an introvert doesn't mean that you're not social. It means how you rejuvenate your energy. But it's so important to keep reaching out to friends, to stay connected to family, and your faith community for support. Call a friend once a week. And if calling is too much, send them a text just saying, "Hey, thinking of you, I have found when I am in the depths, the darkness, I am encouraged, I can encourage myself when I reach out to someone else." And it doesn't have to be something major, it could just be say, "Hey, thinking of you, I saw this funny, funny meme and it made me think of you." That type of a thing. God plants the name of somebody in my heart to reach out to. And it's countless times when I've done that and they've responded that that was just what I needed or I needed to feel seen and you did that today. So if that inkling is there, that's probably the Holy Spirit putting them on your heart. When we're struggling with seasonal effective disorder, it is really easy to read into other people's motives and intentions. And we don't want them to do that to us. Exactly. Exactly. We also want you to stay attached to the vine. And as Jesus talks about, he is the vine, God is the vine keeper, and we are the branches. And when we are apart from the vine, we will bear no fruit. It can be really tempting when we're struggling with any degree of depression to pull back. - Yes. - To not pray. To give up our time in the word. We want to encourage you to immerse yourself. If you’re having a hard time remembering truth, ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of truth. That is his job. Jesus said he was going to send the Holy Spirit to remind us of all truth but the Holy Spirit cannot remind us of truth that we have not already taken in. It’s our responsibility to be in the Word so that the Holy Spirit can remind us of the Word. Getting counseling or therapy is a very good practical thing to do and it’s a sign of strength, not weakness. It’s important to get a medical physical to rule out medical contributors to your mood.   Scripture References: John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Psalm 18 Psalm 118 Psalm 30 Psalm 74 Psalm 77   Recommended Resources:  Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything By Jessica Van Roekel Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson  The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms   Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip 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 Trusting God Through Cancer 1 Trusting God Through Cancer 2 Revive & Thrive Women's Conference Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.) Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win   Social Media Links for Host and Co-Host: Connect with Jessica Van Roekel: Website / Instagram / Facebook 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 Co-Host: Jessica Van Roekel is a worship leader, speaker, and writer who believes that through Jesus, personal histories don’t need to define the present or determine the future. She inspires, encourages, and equips others to look at life through the lenses of hope, trust, and God’s transforming grace. Jessica lives in rural Iowa surrounded by wide open spaces which remind her of God’s expansive love. She loves fun earrings, good coffee, and connecting with others.   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:  Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a subtype of depression characterized by recurrent episodes that occur at specific times of the year, most commonly during the fall and winter months. It is officially classified as a type of major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). If you struggle with seasonal depression during the winter months, know that you aren’t alone, and there is help. In this episode, Jessica and I discuss managing seasonal affective disorder: what it is, how to recognize it, and practical strategies to cope with it. Quotables from the episode: Seasonal Affective Disorder is a mental health concern that typically shows up in the colder, darker winter months, linked to seasonal changes. Up to 3% of the general population is prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder. But those who are prone to depression are 10-20 times more likely to experience Seasonal Affective Disorder. Some common symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include fatigue or exhaustion, feelings of sadness, increased loneliness, discouragement, lack of motivation, decreased interest in previously enjoyable activities, change in appetite, and/or change in sleep patterns. If you’ve experienced more than a couple of these for more than a few weeks, you might be struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder. There are many contributors to seasonal affective disorder: Biologically, studies have proven that the changes in the amount of sunlight significantly impacts our hormones and our mood. There are psychological contributors to seasonal affective disorder: we have just come off the holidays where there’s so much to do that it’s difficult to maintain a consistent schedule. Often we skimp on eating nutritionally, we skimp on sleep because we need more time to get everything done. Then come January 2nd, we wonder “what now? What do I have to look forward to now?” Seasonal affective disorder can impact our ability to hear God’s voice. There are examples in the Bible that if we were to apply current clinical diagnostic criteria 2000 years ago, there are several who probably would have been diagnosed with depression: Jeremiah, Job, David. The winter months look so barren. Everything appears dead, but it’s not. It’s a season of wintering. If the land doesn’t have winter rest, the soil gets depleted. If we can look at SAD as a time of wintering and hold on to the fact that God does a mighty work even in the winter, it can give us hope and it can build our faith even when we are struggling with SAD.” During the wintering months, God is doing something even our outside environment looks like it’s dead. If we focus on the fact that life feels really dark when you struggle with seasonal affective disorder, but God is our light. John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” But when we’re struggling with seasonal affective disorder, it can feel like darkness has overcome us. For many who struggle with seasonal affective disorder, a light therapy lamp can be helpful because it mimics the sunshine we don’t get enough of during the winter months. You can sit in front of that light for 10-30 minutes a day while you’re reading, while you’re doing your quiet time in the morning, or have it next to you in the kitchen where you’re fixing a meal. Because seasonal affective disorder can have an impact physiologically on our body, it’s important during the winter months that we are still getting time outside, even when it’s not sunny. Research has shown that just taking a walk for 10-15 minutes outside significantly elevates mood. When it’s too cold to get outside, you can move with the sun through your house. Sit near a sunny window. During the winter months, it’s important to make sure you are getting enough vitamin D. During winter months, consider taking up a new hobby that would bring you joy. When I have too much time alone, I find myself in this weird cycle of knowing that I need to do, which is to go be by people, but not having the energy or motivation to go be by people. During the darker winter months, my daughter and I plan Saturday fun days. We made a list of things that we could do each Saturday through January and February so we’d have something to look forward to. They don’t have to cost any money. One Saturday it was “Let’s stay in our pajamas and watch morning movies.” One Saturday we did painting. You may not feel like you have the energy to exercise, so start small. Set a small goal of just 5 minutes, and over time you will find that that will give you more energy to exercise longer two or three days later. If you are suffering, cling to the Lord. He will guide your steps. He will walk you through this darkness. In part 2, we will be offering more practical strategies to help you cope with seasonal affective disorder. Scripture References: John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” Isaiah 43:1-3 ““Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”   Recommended Resources:  Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything By Jessica Van Roekel Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson  The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms   Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip 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 Trusting God Through Cancer 1 Trusting God Through Cancer 2 Revive & Thrive Women's Conference Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.) Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win   Social Media Links for Host and Co-Host: Connect with Jessica Van Roekel: Website / Instagram / Facebook 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 Co-Host: Jessica Van Roekel is a worship leader, speaker, and writer who believes that through Jesus, personal histories don’t need to define the present or determine the future. She inspires, encourages, and equips others to look at life through the lenses of hope, trust, and God’s transforming grace. Jessica lives in rural Iowa surrounded by wide open spaces which remind her of God’s expansive love. She loves fun earrings, good coffee, and connecting with others.   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:  Research suggests that girls as young as three years old prioritize beauty, and children in elementary school frequently exhibit body image issues. In this episode of Your Hope Filled Perspective, I chatted with Heather Creekmore of Compared to Who about the pain, wounds, and ultimately, sacred scars, she experienced as a result of body image issues starting in childhood. Together, we explore how God's healing can transform body image wounds into sacred scars, offering hope and freedom. Quotables from the episode: I really believed I had the perfect life, and yet, I have issues. I struggled with the way I looked, but I rationalized that as normal because I believed every woman struggled with that. Even within the church, the message that seemed to be presented was that part of being a good Christian was following whatever culture told you to follow in terms of taking care of your body. Counseling revealed the depth of my identity struggles. I had no idea to feel God’s love, and to feel accepted and approved apart from striving for it. Subtly through the years I had built an ideal that I was constantly trying to live up to. As I looked up to pastor’s wives, they seemed that ideal. They were thin and trim and beautiful. I believed my greatest gift for our congregation was to be that pastor’s wife. I came to realize that my greatest gift to our congregation was to be authentic and vulnerable and let them know I had struggles too. I’m angry at the enemy now, as I look at pictures of me as my younger self, and realize that there was nothing wrong with my body back then but he had me believing there was. What I’m most sad about is that I was so focused on fixing my body that I really didn’t pursue the opportunities that the Lord had for me to grow spiritually and things that I could have done for Him that would last. I invested a lot in deeds that will burn up, like what I ate and how much I exercised and how those two numbers went together to create a calorie-deficit. What turned everything around for me was when I had made my own body an idol. There was no weight or body size I could achieve that would bring about satisfaction, peace, and contentment. I had to come to a place or repentance and really turn from that…when I realized the depth of my sin and pride and self-righteousness, I realized I was a broken sinner desperately in need of a savior, just like everyone else. That changed it all for me. The enemy either comes in and says “oh that’s not that bad,” or he comes in on the other end and says “who do you think you are? You’re worthless!” God healed this wound through allowing me to build an identity on Him. God can only build if I’ve broken down what I tried to construct. He needed me to come to a clean foundation so I could build my identity on Him, which is stronger, more long lasting, and so much more secure. I have freedom in my body image, but that doesn’t mean I never have another thought what I weigh or how I look, but now I have the tools to respond, and I no longer agree with the enemy regarding those thoughts. When I’m tempted to go back to that kind of behavior, I instead ask, “What does God want me to do today? What does He want me to focus on?” He doesn’t want me spending my day thinking about my body—that renders me useless for God’s kingdom, and then the enemy wins. I do take care of my body, but that is no longer my primary purpose. As I have been able to share the darkest parts of my journey, the harder parts of my journey to share, the more others share that they can relate to those wounds and pain! Through my pain and wounds surrounding body image, God has given me a ministry to other women through my books, podcast, and coaching women to body image freedom, bring sacred scars for my pain. It is an overwhelming blessing to walk with women and lead them into freedom in Christ!   Scripture References: 1 Timothy 4:4 “For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”   Recommended Resources:  The 40-Day Body Image Workbook: Hope for Christian Women Who've Tried Everything (A Journey from Insecurity to Positive Body Image and Self-Worth) by Heather Creekmore The Burden of Better: How a Comparison Free Life Leads to Joy, Peace, and Rest by Heather Creekmore Compared to Who: A Proven Path to Improve Your Body Image by Heather Creekmore Aging Gratefully: A 30-Day Devotional for Women by Heather Creekmore  The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms   Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip 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 Trusting God Through Cancer 1 Trusting God Through Cancer 2 Revive & Thrive Women's Conference Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.) Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win   Social Media Links for Guest and Host: Connect with Heather Creekmore: Website / Facebook / Instagram/ YouTube 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: Heather Creekmore writes and speaks hope to thousands of women each week, inspiring them to stop comparing and start living. The host of the popular podcast, Compared to Who?, she has been featured on dozens of other shows and podcasts as well as on Fox News and HuffPost. She was a contestant on the hit Netflix bake fails show Nailed It. Heather and her marine-fighter-pilot turned pastor-husband, Eric, have four children and live in Austin, Texas.   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:  As a new year approaches, many of us feel pressured to make big changes and set ambitious resolutions. But what if God is calling us to be faithful in the work we’re already doing? In this episode, we explore how faithfulness in our current season can bring deeper fulfillment, peace, and a stronger sense of purpose than constantly striving for the next goal.   Quotables from the episode: Today we're going to be talking about faithfulness over resolutions, embracing God's path for you right now. As we enter into this new year, many of us feel pressured to make big changes and set ambitious resolutions. But what if God is calling us to be faithful in the work we're already doing? Think about this, just because the calendar changes doesn't mean that God's ready for us to move on a previous assignment or an area in our heart that he's working on. So in this episode, we're going to explore how faithfulness in our current season can bring deeper fulfillment, peace, and a stronger sense of purpose than constantly striving for the next goal. According to the US News and World Report, over 80% of people failed to keep their New Year’s resolutions. Society pushes us to aim higher at the start of each year, in the form of New Year’s resolutions, yet faithfulness in our existing roles can be just as impactful. You can go to the grocery store and stand in line and see on every single magazine that's there at the checkout lane about how to set the best New Year's resolutions and what the in vogue resolutions are. But that leaves out the very distinct possibility that maybe God is calling us to be faithful where we are instead of feeling the pressure by resolutions and change. Society may pressure us to “do more,” but God values consistency, dedication, and a heart of gratitude. There are unexpected blessings and growth that come from sticking to what God has already entrusted to us. Actionable steps to focus on faithfulness include: Practicing gratitude for current blessings. Setting intentions to honor God in daily tasks. Asking God for strength and wisdom to serve well where you are. Make a list of current responsibilities and consider how you can serve God more fully in each or let something go for a season. One of the problems with New Year’s resolutions is that they often tend to be grand and often unrealistic and unattainable, whereas I want to set people up for success, which takes time, faithfulness, and intentionality. Faithfulness is representative of consistency, but not perfection. Society always pressures us to do more, or be more. Do more or be more. And yet I don’t hear that from God in scripture. He values dedication to him and what he’s asked us to be obedient to.   Scripture References: Luke 16:10 "Whoever is faithful with little will also be faithful with much." Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord."   Recommended Resources:  Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything By Jessica Van Roekel Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson  The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms   Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip 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 Trusting God Through Cancer 1 Trusting God Through Cancer 2 Revive & Thrive Women's Conference Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.) Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win   Social Media Links for Host and Co-Host: Connect with Jessica Van Roekel: Website / Instagram / Facebook 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 Co-Host: Jessica Van Roekel is a worship leader, speaker, and writer who believes that through Jesus, personal histories don’t need to define the present or determine the future. She inspires, encourages, and equips others to look at life through the lenses of hope, trust, and God’s transforming grace. Jessica lives in rural Iowa surrounded by wide open spaces which remind her of God’s expansive love. She loves fun earrings, good coffee, and connecting with others.   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:  For many, the holiday season is synonymous with joy, family, and celebration. But for others, it brings a heavy reminder of loss and sorrow. Grief can take many forms—the loss of a loved one, a relationship that ended, or even a dream that was never realized. Today, we will navigate this journey together and explore how, even in the midst of grief, we can find glimpses of hope. You are not alone in this, and we’ll spend time talking about practical strategies, share stories, and dig into Scripture to see what God says about our pain. Quotables from the episode: I want to start by acknowledging your grief. During the Christmas season, there’s often a societal expectation to be cheerful and merry, but if you’re dealing with loss, that expectation can feel impossible to meet. Maybe it’s the first Christmas without a loved one, or perhaps the memories from past years are bittersweet. Your pain is real, and it’s valid. Remember that Jesus was familiar with grief. The shortest verse in the Bible, ‘Jesus wept’ (John 11:35), shows us that even the Savior of the world mourned with those He loved. He is not indifferent to your sorrow. The Psalms are filled with the raw, honest emotions of those who suffered, reminding us that we can bring our pain to God, and He meets us there. Grief is not linear, and it doesn’t follow a predictable timeline. It’s normal for grief to feel sharper around the holidays. Instead of suppressing your emotions or feeling like you need to ‘move on,’ give yourself the space to grieve. Remember that Jesus invites us to come to Him with our burdens. Rest doesn’t mean the absence of grief, but the presence of God in the midst of it. Traditions can be both comforting and painful. If certain traditions feel like too much to handle, give yourself permission to simplify. This might be the year you skip decorating the tree or decide not to host a large gathering. Consider creating a new tradition that honors your loss while bringing some comfort. Perhaps lighting a candle at the dinner table, donating in your loved one’s name, or hanging a special ornament in their memory. Grief and joy can coexist. Even in the midst of sorrow, there can be moments of beauty and joy—if we’re open to seeing them. This could be as simple as enjoying a favorite Christmas song, taking a walk in nature, or sitting quietly with a warm drink. Grief can feel incredibly isolating, especially during a season that emphasizes togetherness. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to walk this journey alone. Christmas, at its core, is about the hope of Jesus. It’s easy to get caught up in the decorations, presents, and festivities, but the real meaning of Christmas is that Jesus came to be with us—God with us, Immanuel. He came into a broken world to bring light in the darkness. When grief feels overwhelming, return to this truth: that Jesus came to bind up the brokenhearted and bring hope to the hopeless. Scripture References: John 11:35 ‘Jesus wept.’ Matthew 11:28 says, “‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’” Zephaniah 3:17 says, ‘The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.’ Galatians 6:2 reminds us to ‘Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.’ Sometimes, we need others to help carry the weight of our grief.” Isaiah 9:2 says, ‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.’ Psalm 34:18 - ‘The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.’ Revelation 21:4 - ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ Matthew 5:4 - ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.’     Recommended Resources:    How Do You Overcome Grief after the Death of a Child? – Episode 273 Find Strength in Sorrow: 15 Essential Tips to Survive Grief Healing from Grief: Tips for Coping with Grief and Loss How To Recover from Grief and Embrace Life – Episode 230 How To Navigate Grief and Loss How To Deal with Grief and Maintain our Hope – Episode 153 How To Find Hope in the Midst of Grief – Episode 70 Grief at Christmas: 10 Ways to Help Help for the Grief-Stricken: 3 Anchors that Held Me in Grief 10 Things Grieving Parents Need and Don’t Need Grieving with Hope After the Loss of a Loved One Hope in Widowhood: How to Help a Grieving Widow – Episode 8 How To Help a Grieving Friend Hope for the Grieving Parent: How to Help a Grieving Friend – Episode 3 Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson  The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms   Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip 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 Trusting God Through Cancer 1 Trusting God Through Cancer 2 Revive & Thrive Women's Conference Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.) Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win   Social Media Links for Host: 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   Dr. Michelle Bengtson is an international speaker, a national and international media resource on mental health, and the bestselling, award-winning author of Hope Prevails, the Hope Prevails Bible Study, Today Is Going to Be a Good Day, Breaking Anxiety’s Grip, The Hem of His Garment, and Sacred Scars. She is also the host of the award-winning podcast Your Hope-Filled Perspective. A board-certified clinical neuropsychologist in private practice for more than twenty years, Dr. Bengtson blogs regularly and offers a wide variety of resources on her website, DrMichelleB.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:  The end of the year often brings about a time of reflection over our growth and achievements from the past year, as well as dreaming and planning for the next year. A popular practice at the start of a new year is to choose “a word of the year” to guide our focus, goals, and resolutions for the next year. For some, this is a rewarding and encouraging practice. For others, it leads to guilt and shame when they don’t have a word of the year.  In this episode, Dr. Michelle and Rev. Jessica share their experience with the practice, as well as several alternatives to the popular “word of the year” practice so that we can continue in the new year growing in our faith walk without the pressure thinking that there’s just one way to do this. Quotables from the episode: When others are following a practice, and God is not confirming it for you, it can lead to you feeling inferior, feeling left out, feeling like a failure, and wondering if you don’t hear from God. The problem with many of the quizzes out there is that we can skew the results based on our answers. They are strongly influenced by our personality, by our expectations of ourselves, and by what other people have said to or about us. God’s approach with each one of us is not a cookie cutter format. 1.    Reflect on Past Growth When we get to the new year, we can tend to be so focused on what's coming that we lose sight of what has been and what has God done for us in us and through us. And there is a good place to pause and reflect on how you grew and changed, especially over the past year. That can guide where we need to go, where we want more growth. What do we need to continue doing that the Lord has shown us? Reflect on God’s Faithfulness Through Journaling Oftentimes God's faithfulness in our lives is tied to a difficult circumstance. And especially if we've had a hard year, we kind of just want to close the chapter on the year and open up the new one. And there is a time and a place. We don't want to dwell. Dwelling in negativity and the frustration part of it isn't healthy, but dwelling in God's faithfulness is absolutely healthy because remembering His faithfulness is going to carry us through future hard things. When we can look back, when we can reflect on the past year to see God's hand at work, even in those unforeseen circumstances. And if we can start celebrating those small victories, those unexpected lessons, when we can build altars of God's faithfulness, that can actually propel us into the new year. Questions to ask yourself at the end of the year: “What were some of the most significant moments of the past year?” “What did I learn about myself through the trials and triumphs of the past year?” “How did I grow in my faith and understanding of God’s purpose?” We can get so focused on our accomplishments that we lose sight of the fact that our purpose is to fellowship with God. Our purpose and our call are slightly different things. When we pursue our purpose, our call will follow. Our purpose is to fellowship with God. God will not bless my call when I make my call my idol. 2.    Choose a Guiding Verse or Scripture  Choosing a Bible verse or a passage to meditate on throughout the year, it’ll help us keep our focus on God’s guidance rather than our personal ambition. 3.    Set up a monthly or quarterly intention. Break up the entire year inter shorter time frames. It might be monthly or it might be seasonal. Use those shorter time frames to focus on areas of growth that God is encouraging you. It could be, for example, to focus on one of the fruit of the spirit at a time, or focus on a theme like prayer one season and gratitude the next, forgiveness another, the armor of God, etc. 4.    Anchor Yourself in Prayerful Reflection If we are anchored in prayerful reflection, God will guide how he wants us to focus going into the new year. Spending time in prayerful reflection gives us clarity, and it gives us wisdom, and it gives us peace. Scripture References: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Philippians 4:13 "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.” John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Hebrews 4:12-16 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 10:35-36 “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Joel 2:25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten— the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm — my great army that I sent among you.” Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”   Recommended Resources:  Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything By Jessica Van Roekel Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson  The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms   Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip 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 Trusting God Through Cancer 1 Trusting God Through Cancer 2 Revive & Thrive Women's Conference Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.) Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win   Social Media Links for Host and Co-Host: Connect with Jessica Van Roekel: Website / Instagram / Facebook 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 Co-Host: Jessica Van Roekel is a worship leader, speaker, and writer who believes that through Jesus, personal histories don’t need to define the present or determine the future. She inspires, encourages, and equips others to look at life through the lenses of hope, trust, and God’s transforming grace. Jessica lives in rural Iowa surrounded by wide open spaces which remind her of God’s expansive love. She loves fun earrings, good coffee, and connecting with others.   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:  Continuing in our “Sacred Scar Story Series,” in this episode I chatted with Veronica Sites, who shared about the pain and wounds she endured that culminated in her believing the lies that she would be better off dead. She attempted to eliminate her life, but God had other plans. Now she shares the sacred scar that God is using to educate the church and leaders about how to respond in such a mental health crisis. Quotables from the episode: If you have ever experienced depression or anxiety, or suffered the loss of a friend or loved one to death by suicide, then today is the perfect show for you. My guest today, Veronica Sites, is a first response crisis chaplain. She grew up in a family of first responders. And sadly, she lost a family member to death by suicide. This experience caused a shift in how she responded in such situations. But she also experienced some tragic life experiences which brought her to the point that she began to believe some lies that took her down the path to attempting to end her own life by suicide. When she woke up, she told a friend, “The Lord is going to use this for His glory. You just watch.” And that is what has happened, as she now serves as a first response crisis chaplain, and she tries to educate about suicide prevention. I no longer believe that my previous suicide attempt is my identity. I am first and foremost a child of God. My painful wounds that led to my desperation also made me forgiving and more merciful. Healing my wounds has caused me to have greater compassion and empathy for others who suffer. The enemy is relentless to get us to take his bait. Once I regained consciousness, I became angry that I believed the enemy’s lies. Victory is in the vulnerability with the Victor. The most unhealed wounds are usually the invisible ones. God can be trusted with our vulnerability. Our painful wounds can be both destructive and productive. We get to choose what result they will have by how we respond to our hurts. Can we listen to others as if there is something to learn? Scripture References: Psalm 34:18  “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Proverbs 17:17 says “A brother is born for a time of adversity.”  Proverbs 27:17 “Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other”.   Recommended Resources:  Local Suicide Prevention Hotline: dial 988 TALK Suicide Hotline (800) 273-8255 Suicide Text Line: 741-741  https://www.crisistextline.org/textline Hope Line Suicide Prevention Network (800) 784-2433 Elijah App –helps people struggling to reach their support system with one text Hope When You Have Thoughts of Suicide - Episode 22 Hope for Recovery for Suicide Attempt Survivors - Episode 49 Love Me to Life: Suicide Recovery at Church by Veronica Sites Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson  The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms   Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip 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 Trusting God Through Cancer 1 Trusting God Through Cancer 2 Revive & Thrive Women's Conference Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.) Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win   Social Media Links for Guest and Host: Connect with Veronica Sites: Website / Facebook / Instagram / X / Pinterest / Vimeo / YouTube 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: Veronica Sites is a Trauma-Informed Behavioral Health Coach. She serves as peer support and creates safe space for ministering to survivors touched by and that seek recovery beyond the moral injury left by suicide. She challenges the church and her leaders to be equipped and have a plan and protocol every volunteer knows and uses to connect people to next step help.   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.