This episode is part 2 of Hope for Depression with Dr. Michelle Bengtson. Dr. Bengtson reviews highlights from part 1, and helps listeners learn how to fight depression. She reviews the fact that when it comes to depression, the enemy seeks to steal our joy, kill our peace, and destroy our identity. She then shares about the limits God puts on the enemy’s and depression’s influence in our lives, just like God limited the enemy’s impact on Job. Dr. Bengtson helps us understand that our depressive thoughts aren’t even our own thoughts, and how to combat them.
Dr. Bengtson combines her faith with her clinical practice to help you find out how to fight depression. She shares some of the most common lies the enemy gets us to believe, and then the truth to refute those lies. In this episode, she also shares practical tips for those who want to better support a depressed loved one.
Watch on YouTube:
Quotables from the Episode:
God put limits on the influence that the enemy could have on Job, and God does that for us as well.
We have infinite worth because Christ gave His life for us.
Christ exchanged our sin for His perfection, our death for His life, and our bondage for His freedom. So if the son sets you free, you are truly free (John 8:36).
God does require perfection, but we can never meet that standard for perfection, only Jesus did. Salvation is because of what Jesus did for us.
Both fear and faith demand our focus, but we can trust God and no longer fear.
God’s only requirement of us is not that we would be perfect, but that we would believe in Him.
We have a role to play in our own healing. Scripture says we must recover ourselves: recognize we’ve believed the enemy’s lies, repent to God for believing the enemy instead of God’s truth, then renounce and reject the enemy’s lies and replace them with God’s truth. Then receive God’s peace, love, and joy.
God doesn’t leave us alone or to our own devices.
Jesus never asked questions because He needed the answers. He asked questions so that those he asked them of would learn more.
We have between 50-70,000 thoughts a day. How are you doing taking EVERY thought captive? First you have to pay attention to the thoughts you are having, then ask if it is consistent with God says in the Bible, or am I believing a lie?
Depression is not from God. That is not His best for you. He desires for you to be in health and good mental health.
Scripture References:
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Romans 5:6 “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.”
Jeremiah 31:3 “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”
John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
John 8:32 “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Recommended Resources: (If there are affiliate links in this post, meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no extra cost to you)).
If you wonder how to fight depression, the very best resource is the Word of God, The Bible.
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.
Hope Prevails Despite Depression
A Letter to One Struggling with Depression
This Thing Called Depression: Signs and Symptoms
How Do I Know If I’m Depressed? Common Symptoms of Depression
10 Bible Verses When Depressed
10 Things to Know if You Have a Depressed Loved One
How To Help a Depressed Loved One
What To Say When a Loved One is Depressed
What Not To Say When a Loved One is Depressed
15 Ways To Help a Depressed Husband or Wife
Social Media Links for Host and Guest:
For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:
Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube
Guest: Dr. Michelle Bengtson, Board Certified Clinical Neuropsychologist, Author, International Speaker
Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson
This is an amazing message! So clear, so helpful, so full of love and compassion from you, Dr. B and also from the Lord through you!! Thank you for sharing your life and your healing with us! I am so blessed and encouraged! I look forward to more messages of a Hope-Filled Perspective for my life!! I love and appreciate you so much!! Praying for you!!
Thank you for always giving a hope-filled message!
Anita, thank you for being a faithful supporter of my hope-filled messages. I pray that sharing out of the pain and hurt and loss that I’ve experienced will give others hope and encouragement during their trials.