Hope Prevails Bible Study Resources for Depression
Helpful articles and videos to use as a resource for those facilitating or participating in a Hope Prevails Bible Study.
Welcome to the Resource page for the Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
A personal welcome from Dr. Michelle Bengtson.
Introduction to Dr. Michelle Bengtson.
Billy Graham has said, “What oxygen is to the lungs hope is to our world.”
Dr. Michelle Bengtson shares about the statistics surrounding the growing epidemic of depression and offers to speak to your group regarding depression’s signs, symptoms, and the hope that exists for those who suffer.
Dr. Michelle Bengtson shares three points on depression.
- What is depression?
- Causes of depression.
- Spiritual components of depression.
Dr. Michelle Bengtson interviewed on Life Today TV by Sheila Walsh and Randy Robison.
To watch the video, click here: Dr. Michelle Bengtson on Life Today TV.
Dr. Michelle Bengtson’s TV Interview with Todd Cantelon of 100 Huntley Street, Canada’s longest running daily talk show.
Dr. Michelle Bengtson shares who Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression is for. It’s not just for the depressed individual. It’s for everyone.
Letter to My Depressed Self
Dr. Michelle Bengtson shares a letter she wrote to herself and included in the book, Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression.
Chapter 1: This thing called depression
This thing called depression.
Chapter 2: You are not alone
Hope-Filled Perspective: Depressed? Anxious? There is help & hope. Do you want to get well?
Related Blog Post: Do You Want to Get Well? 5 Important Lessons on Healing
Related Blog 2: Do you want to get well?
Hope Prevails! Maybe you can relate
Related Blog Post: Hope Prevails! Maybe You Can Relate
Chapter 3: The underlying causes of depression
Hope Prevails! No shame in depression
Related Blog Post: Hope Prevails! There Is No Shame In Depression
Chapter 4: Recognize you have an enemy
Depression contributes to loneliness
Chapter 5: Recover your joy
Dr. Michelle Bengtson: The Thief of Joy (James Robison / LIFE Today TV excerpt from full interview).
Hope filled perspective – Don’t let comparison steal your joy
Hope Filled Perspective: You Can Have Joy
Hope-Filled Perspective: Don’t Compare Your Backstage With Someone Else’s Onstage
Hope Prevails! Joy Comes in the Morning
Related Blog Post: Hope Prevails! Joy Comes in the Morning
Seek God’s Presence to Recover Joy
Chapter 6: Reclaim your peace
Hope-filled perspective: there is no shame in needing help
Anxiety the Thief of Peace
Chapter 7: Reestablish your identity
Hope-filled perspective: You are who God says you are and no less
9 Truths from God’s Word: What God Says About You
Reestablish your identity
Hope-filled perspective: there is no shame in needing help
Anxiety the Thief of Peace
No Matter What You are a Child of God
Chapter 8: Know your worth
Your Worth Your Identity Whose Opinion Counts
Related Blog Post: Whose Opinion Counts
Know your worth
Every fear is based on a lie
You Are Worth It
Chapter 9: Remember your secure destiny
Your Destiny is Secure
Chapter 10: Be confident that nothing separates you from God’s love
God is Always With Us
Nothing Separates Us From God’s Love
Your Destiny is Secure
Chapter 11: God uses your pain
7 Unexpected Ways Depression Changed and Challenged Me
Your Pain is Never Wasted
Chapter 12: The way to hope
Free to Choose
Take Time for Praise and Gratitude
Hope Prevails Bible Study Music Playlist
Visit this Music Playlist on YouTube for inspiration and encouraging music referenced in each chapter of the Hope Prevails Bible Study.
Helpful Articles on Depression
A Recovering Perfectionist
I’m a recovering perfectionist. I have to say “recovering” because I’m not sure I can let go of that tendency in any way other than perfectly. Even as I try to disentangle myself from those inbred perfectionistic ways, I find myself wondering if I am doing it good enough? Am I good enough? Perfectionism is always rooted in something deeper. Read along to find out more.
Down But Not Out
Have you ever felt beaten down? Has it ever seemed like everything was just against you? Me too. I’ve had those days where it just seemed that it was the world against me. What do you do in those situations? You may feel down, but you’re not out.
Proof You Are Good Enough
Do you ever give in to the fallacies of the lies that say you aren’t good enough? I do. I wish I didn’t, and I think I’m making progress, and then I’ve fallen down a slippery slope. When we listen to the lies that whisper we aren’t good enough, we’ve been duped. The truth is, there is proof that we are good enough.
The Journey From Depression Into Joy
When someone is depressed, they have a choice to make: to either let depression define them or to desire joy bad enough to seek after it with obedience and sacrifice. Jesus offered us the same joy he had; the fullest possible joy. This journey from depression into joy can be very hard, but if we want joy bad enough, we will seek after it. Read more for how to shift your mindset to lead a joy-filled life.
The Joy of the Lord is My Strength
Depression can be perpetuated by focusing on ourselves and our own pain, but when we focus instead on others and their needs, our own pain is lessened. It makes us feel good and gives us a fresh perspective of the verse in Nehemiah 8:10 that says, “the joy of the Lord is my strength.” Read more for how to shift your focus when you’re feeling down or in despair.
This Thing Called Depression: Signs and Symptoms
Are you struggling with depression? God already knows what you’re struggling with and He wants to heal you and give you hope. For myself, I was the doctor who treated patients for over 20 years when I suffered through the dark night of my soul. I thought I was supposed to be able to prevent that from happening to me, and to have all the answers. Experience is a very valuable teacher. Now that I’ve personally experienced it, I understand what depression is, how it presents, what it feels like, and how to treat it much better. In this post, I share the most common signs and symptoms of depression, along with resources that offer help, hope and healing.
Is It Grief Or Depression?
“Is it grief or something more?” That’s a question I’m often asked as a board certified clinical neuropsychologist. Everyone grieves differently. Do you know the signs and symptoms to watch for when grief progresses into depression? Learn more here.
Every Day Can Be a Good Day
What if I told you that every day can be a good day despite our feelings or circumstances? God has never broken a promise; we can count on his promises coming true in our lives. Standing on any of his promises gives us a reason why today—or any day—despite our circumstances, is a good day for a good day. Every day I still have to challenge myself to change my mindset and where I place my focus. Today, I have a challenge for you!
Hang on to Hope
In the midst of my despair, as I journeyed through depression, God slowly over time revealed the missing piece that stood in the way of my healing. The spiritual component of depression. Once I understand that component and used the authority given to me as a child of God, the dark cloud began to lift. Hang on to hope and read more for 5 Bible verses I stood on to replace the darkness of depression with the light of joy.
Meet the Author
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
DR. MICHELLE BENGTSON (PhD, Nova Southeastern University) has been a neuropsychologist for more than twenty years. She completed postdoctoral training at both the Henry Ford Hospital and the University of Alabama Health Sciences Center. She lives in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with her husband, their two sons, and two dogs. She offers more hope at www.DrMichelleBengtson.com. Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
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FREE EBOOK!
Are you a friend or family member of a depressed loved one? This free eBook will help you understand what your depressed loved one is experiencing and how you can help.
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