
The Hem of
His Garment
Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms
Hope for When the Pain Won’t Quit
Pain is inevitable. It manifests physically, emotionally, relationally, or spiritually. It follows tragic accidents, great loss, sudden betrayal, or unexpected change. Often pain is temporary. But what do you do when it isn’t? When it won’t go away, healing does not come, and grief and hurt settle in to stay?
Drawing on her own experience of chronic pain and her years as a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, Dr. Michelle Bengtson provides a countercultural perspective on pain. Offering hope without any false promises or empty platitudes, Dr. Bengtson unwraps the complex emotional aspects of dealing with pain.
- She gives you permission to question God,
- helps you identify the lies you’ve believed about your pain, and
- reorients your perception based on the truth of God’s Word.
Each chapter ends with a recommended playlist, reflection questions, and a prayer.
Your pain may not change, but your experience with it can.

Endorsements

Deborah McCormick Maxey PhD
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, licensed professional counselor, certified traumatologist
“Someone near you could be in a world of pain. Invisible pain. We may look “normal.” But those of us who suffer from chronic pain are in a world of our own. It supersedes everything and everyone one, demanding our attention… As a chronic pain sufferer, and licensed therapist with comprehensive education on the subject, I have treated countless fellow pain sufferers. I wish this book had been in my hands years ago, because it would have been required reading for each patient or a pain sufferer’s loving family members so that they could understand better.
“The Hem of His Garment Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson is a true gift. It completely explores the annihilating effects on our lives and those we love, as well as offer hope for the spiritual damage that aches to be healed, with Biblical references and a myriad of suggestions. Bengtson nails it. She doesn’t just describe the problem; she offers a book full of possible ideas. For yourself, or a gift, and especially for someone newly diagnosed. This book is Hope in your hands.”

Holley Gerth
Bestselling author of What Your Mind Needs for Anxious Moments
“Pain is inevitable, but enduring it alone is optional. Dr. Michelle Bengtson is a voice of hope who will speak into your struggles, a helping hand who will point you to Jesus, and a wise guide who will lead you through whatever you’re facing so you can embrace more of what our good God has for you.”

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Physician, bestselling author, and host of the I Choose My Best Life podcast
“Honest and transparent. Dr. Michelle Bengtson gives the reader permission to ask hard questions and practical guidance on how to seek God during times when you feel the most wounded. A beautiful gift for every person living with pain.”

Lisa Appelo
Author of Life Can Be Good Again: Putting Your World Back Together After It All Falls Apart
“The Hem of His Garment is a masterpiece of help and hope in deep pain. Michelle is the guide we all need when we’ve endured long past the timeline we gave God or God seems silent despite our prayers. Sharing her journey of pain with raw vulnerability, Michelle shows us how to renew authentic hope and navigate suffering that seems too hard to handle.”

Michelle Nietert, M.A., LPC-S
Clinical Director of Hope Helps, Author of Loved and Cherished
“In The Hem of His Garment, Dr. Michelle Bengtson provides holistic, practical, and biblical strategies to help us move through our pain. Her approach to the seven different primary forms of pain including the less commonly discussed emotional pain, relational pain and secondary dynamics of pain inflicted by others is a much needed resource for faith-based medical and mental health professionals.”

Shonda Whitworth
author of Appeal to the Courtroom of Heaven: Petitions for Prisoners and Prison Families and co-founder of Fortress of Hope Ministries, Inc.
“Dr. Michelle’s courage, compassion, and faith fills every page of The Hem of His Garment. As a fellow pain sufferer, I’ve cried out, “God, can’t you give me a how-to guide?” God has answered this prayer for those who are walking through the valley of pain. Drawing from the experience of her own sufferings combined with biblical truths, Dr. B provides a step-by-step guide on how to walk through the darkness of pain yet radiate the glory of God. This book addresses the tough questions many silent sufferers want to ask but rarely discuss with others. Readers will find encouragement, support, and the inspiration to carry on amid their pain.”

Carol Kent
Founder of Speak Up Ministries, Speaker and Author of When I Lay My Isaac Down (NavPress)
“The Hem of His Garment sings hope in the minor key. It is an honest, profound, and deeply moving labor of love that will invite you to weep, worship, and pray. This book is a treasure for those who live in constant pain—and for those who long for a resource to give to friends and family who are hurting.”

Tracey Mitchell
International Speaker, Award-Winning Author
“In The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms, Dr. Bengtson addresses the hard and often ignored questions that engulf pain-filled seasons. Emotionally captivating and thought-provoking, this manuscript is healing wrapped in print form. This book will be an anchor to your soul and wings to your hopes. Join thousands of other readers who are discovering the silver lining when life does not seem fair or isn’t making sense.”
Meet Dr. Michelle Bengtson
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, and Breaking Anxiety’s Grip. 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.
