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
Ask Dr. B: 6 Ways To Practice Gratitude When You Are Depressed
It’s hard to be thankful when you’re depressed. Depression makes it hard to do anything. More often than not, we tend to focus on the negative. But, an attitude of gratitude focuses on the positive and can temporarily take your mind off your suffering. Try these 6 ways to practice gratitude when you are depressed.
10 Things to Know if You Have a Depressed Loved One
Depression is a painful disorder. If you’ve never experienced it, count yourself blessed. Perhaps you haven’t experienced depression yourself, but you have a loved one who suffers with it. I’ve spent more than 30 years as a psychologist, helping people who suffer from depression, anxiety, and a myriad of other mental health disorders. In this post, I share 10 things to know if you have a depressed loved one.
Maintain Your Hope During The Discouraging Times of Waiting
Times of crisis seem to punctuate the waiting times. The wait often seems harder, longer, or even less do-able. Those situations can test our faith. Do we believe the circumstances we are in, or do we hold strong and believe God’s truth? How do you maintain your hope during the discouraging times of waiting?
Joy is a Gift From God
Joy is a gift from God, but we have a part to play. Once the enemy has stolen our joy, how do we recover? It seems like it would be difficult, but it’s really not that hard. God has given us the tools we need and our victory is assured.
Hope for Helping with Childhood and Teen Depression
In recent posts, we’ve discussed the very important reality of understanding depression in children, depression in teens, and their risk for suicide. Many parents may now be wondering if childhood or teen depression can be prevented? That’s one of the questions we’ll be addressing today. We’ll also be discussing what we need to know to best help those we love who are depressed.
Suicide Risk in Children and Teens
Depression always carries with it a high risk of suicide. While this discussion can be frightening, if not alarming, to some adults, there are specific risk factors and warning signs that parents can look for in their children and teens. Knowing this information could save lives.
Depression in Teens
As a parent it can be difficult to know whether your teen is experiencing depression or normal teenage behavior. This post provides valuable information for parents of teens. Less than 33% of teens with depression get help, yet eighty percent of teens with depression can be successfully treated. Untreated depression in teens can have detrimental consequences.
Understanding Depression in Children (and Teens)
In many circles there exists a myth that childhood depression doesn’t exist, but that simply isn’t the truth. Although it may be more common for adolescents to experience depression, children as young as 3 years old can have depression. Over the past three decades I’ve seen the incidence of childhood and teen depression rise significantly. It’s a serious illness, but also one that is treatable.
3 Things Depression Does To Us Spiritually
The enemy comes to steal our joy, kill our peace and destroy our identity. But don’t despair. Scripture says “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Once we are aware of the enemy’s tactics, we can fight them head on.

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!


