Hope for the Hurting

Never Alone: 15 Bible Verses When You Feel Alone

by DrMichelle | Apr 22, 2019 | Blog, Faith | 21 Comments

Are you feeling alone or lonely today? At some point in our lives, everyone will feel alone or experience loneliness. How often do we just need God’s assurance, as our Good Father, that He is there, and that we are not alone? Read more and dwell on Bible verses when you feel alone. Allow God to reinforce this truth: we are never alone. God is always with us.

10 Scriptures for When You Need Strength

by DrMichelle | Apr 17, 2019 | Ask Dr. B., Blog, Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Mental Health | 37 Comments

There are days that seem like they are almost too much to handle. Where do we turn during hard times when we need strength? We can focus on God and His scripture for strength and encouragement.

I don’t know how people find the strength to carry on through some of life’s most difficult trials if they don’t rely on God and His strength. These ten scriptures on strength are my favorite verses when times are hard and I need strength.

God gave us the His word filled with Bible Verses and quotes that we can rely on to help us make it through hard times. Read more for 10 scriptures when you need strength.

How We Pray Makes All the Difference

by DrMichelle | Apr 15, 2019 | Blog, prayer | 5 Comments

Has God ever challenged you? Perhaps pointed out flaws in your thinking? Had you question whether or not your beliefs have lined up with what He said in His word?

Recently, God has challenged me with regard to my prayer life.

Have you ever prayed, wanting God to hear and answer your prayer, but wondering if He really would? How we pray makes all the difference.

Finding Rest in God

by DrMichelle | Apr 10, 2019 | Blog, Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Mental Health | 44 Comments

“Rest.” It sounds simple enough, but when God calls us to rest, what does He mean? In Genesis, God modeled rest after His work was complete. In the gospels, Jesus drew away to rest. Over a period of several years, He taught me four lessons about finding rest in God.

How To Fight Fearful Thoughts and Win

by DrMichelle | Apr 8, 2019 | Anxiety, Blog | 11 Comments

Just two weeks after we took my eldest son 1500 miles away to college, news and weather reports warned of an impending hurricane, a couple days from hitting the United States. During a time when we had anticipated hearing from him about classes and new friends, we were instead trying to make safe evacuation plans while continuously monitoring forecasts.

Nothing will make a mother more worried, fearful, or anxious than the welfare of our children. Unfortunately, our young children observe much more than we give them credit for. If we don’t learn how to effectively fight fearful thoughts, our children may learn to be anxious. No mother wants to be the cause of their child’s anxiety, but rather, a safe haven for them to find shelter.

God knew fear would be a fierce battle for us to fight. That’s why He gave us the tools we need to be effective in battle. Don’t allow fear and anxiety to run rampant in your mind. Read more for how to fight fearful thoughts and win.

Trusting God In the Storm

by DrMichelle | Apr 3, 2019 | Blog, Depression, Encouragement, Hope, Mental Health | 15 Comments

This wasn’t the first major storm I’d faced, and it wouldn’t be the last. Jesus warned we’d face trials. But He also gave us hope. That’s what I clung to.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

The storm didn’t end, but I learned about trusting God in the storm and trusting Him to be my peace in the storm.

Are you facing a storm? Our attitude in the midst of the storm impacts the outcome. Read more for encouragement to trust God to see you through.

Hurt By the Church {A Letter to a Wounded Friend}

by DrMichelle | Apr 1, 2019 | Blog, Encouragement | 19 Comments

Have you ever been hurt by the church? It’s been said that if you haven’t been hurt in church, you haven’t attended long enough.

This issue has really been on my heart because recently I’ve had not one, not two, but several conversations with people about how they have been hurt by the church. As a result, they have expressed difficulty trusting Christians, difficulty returning to church and so many are not worshipping in church anymore, or some are but they aren’t sure who they can trust.

Read more for my letter to a wounded friend.

10 Bible Verses When Depressed

by DrMichelle | Mar 27, 2019 | Ask Dr. B., Blog, Depression, Encouragement, Hope | 25 Comments

When I was in the depths of my depression, I needed HOPE! I needed to be reminded of God’s character and to know that despite my feelings, I could trust God to see me through any situation. I firmly believe that our best defense is to memorize and recite Bible verses when depressed so we can use God’s truth to combat the lies of the enemy.

Recently, a reader asked about scripture to stand on for one who struggles with depression or anxiety. My suggestion? Memorize, recite and stand on these 10 Bible verses when depressed or when feeling down and need to be filled with hope.

Preparing for Something New: 4 Steps to Transformation

by DrMichelle | Mar 25, 2019 | Blog, Faith | 12 Comments

During a recent afternoon with a friend, we happened upon a gorgeous garden. She offered to pull over to the side of the road so that I could jump out and take some photos.

I always seem to connect with God best through nature. Knowing this about me, she frequently indulges my “need” to capture His beauty in photos.

I was delighted to see beautiful butterflies everywhere. But, a butterfly doesn’t start out beautiful. It goes through a process. Read more for 4 steps to transformation as you prepare for the new in life.

Why Is It Hard to Trust God with Little Things?

by DrMichelle | Mar 20, 2019 | Blog, Faith | 9 Comments

On my early morning walk, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders, I looked up through a small clearing in the trees. In one quick glance I noted the sun, two airplanes traveling in different directions, an eagle soaring above the treetops, and a common sparrow.

I never question whether or not the sun will rise–I just look forward to basking in its warmth.

We trust Him for the big things like keeping the earth spinning in orbit, why can’t we trust Him for the small things? Read more here.