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
Pro-Actively Beat the Winter Blues – Part 1
Winter is fast approaching, and for many, it brings with it the darkness of depression. Read on to learn how to combat the winter blues.
Do You Have the Right Attitude?
The outcome of our experience may depend more on our attitude than the actual situation we encounter. I am reminded that I can largely influence the result of my experience by the attitude with which I face the situation. I must deliberately choose that which is right, that which is positive.
The Pursuit of Joy Through Sacrifice and Offering
When we focus on what we have the opportunity to be thankful for, a subtle shift takes place in our heart and in our mind. The focus moves from ourselves and our own circumstances to God and His generosity, goodness, and faithfulness.
Do You Want to Get Well? (Are You Willing To Do What It Takes?)
Sometimes we say we want to get well, yet we aren’t really willing to do what it will take. We are more comfortable in our known misery than in the discomfort of the unknown.
Paying Attention In Times of Crisis
Maintaining peace and joy during a crisis depends on where we direct our attention. Worrying takes my eyes off God, and puts them on myself and my circumstances, to operate in my own knowledge and strength. That robs me of peace and joy. Living moment by moment, however, trusting God’s provision for the moment, and being thankful for that provision, keeps my focus off my problem and focuses on the solver of my problem. This keeps me in perfect peace.
When You Don’t Know What Else to Do – Cling to God
During a time in my life when I was at a particularly low point, I was unable to do very little. I could not get up and go to work as I was accustomed. I was unable to care for my family. Even showering and dressing took more energy and effort than I could summon. I was so sick that all I could do was sleep, listen, and read. It was a time in my life that I despised, yet at the same time cherished.
Beautiful Behind the Mask
Part of what perpetuates our penchant to hide behind a mask, is our inclination to compare ourselves to others. By comparing ourselves to others, we hold ourselves up to the image that they desire for others to see…the public mask they put on display. So we compare ourselves to others who were not given the same personalities, gifts, and talents as we so we will always fall short if we try to measure ourselves against others as our standard. Yet we must align ourselves instead with what we know to be true. The Bible says that we each are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).
No Pain is Wasted
My strength was failing. Sorrow was all I could taste. Hope was more than I could bear. I didn’t know what the next day would bring, but I couldn’t stand more of the same. If I was going to fight for my physical and emotional health to return, I didn’t want to be left unchanged. I prayed repeatedly that this torment that I endured would not be wasted and that the Lord would use this experience to draw me closer to Him, AND to help someone else.
Depression During the Holidays Part Six~Someone Would be Grateful For What You Have
Comparison is the thief of joy. Part of the problem with comparison is that you can always find others who have more, do more, and achieve more than you. But on the other hand. But, you can always find others who have less, do less, and achieve less than you. Either way, you aren’t content with where God has you.
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!
GET A FREE EBOOK!
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.
Share the Hope that Prevails!
