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
Can I Be Cured of Depression?
Dear Dr. B,
I’m a man in my 60’s. Depression has been my Goliath as long as I can remember. I am a believer that has a fairly good grasp on Gods word. Yet I can’t muster the joy and happiness that the Word says is mine. I’m reading your book, “Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression” and have the companion “Hope Prevails Bible Study.” At times, I’m out of hope. A saying I learned as a professional airline pilot describing a crash site was, “The place where the pilots ran out of altitude, airspeed, and ideas all at the same time.” I’ve been close to that place more times than I can count. Can I realistically shed this Goliath in my life?
Sincerely,
Ready for Joy
Hope Prevails Despite Depression
By 2020, depression will be our greatest epidemic worldwide. It already is our greatest cause for disability nationally. Nearly twice as many women as men suffer with depression. In fact, every year, almost 18 million women in the U.S. suffer. If you’re not one who does or has suffered from depression, I guarantee you know someone who has, who is, and who will. I’m one of them. There’s a Book Giveaway so be sure to read to the end!
A Letter to One Struggling with Depression
A letter filled with scripture and God’s promises to stand on for the one struggling with depression.
Dear One, I know you are in pain…
You feel as if you can’t sink any lower, and that no-one understands.
But I do. I’ve been there…you know I have….
How To Celebrate Despite Depression
Weddings. Holiday parties. Birthday celebrations.
They are all supposed to be happy and joyous. But what about when you’re battling depression?
I remember the year my mother died. Only a few months later, the holidays were upon us, and I sat at the foot of the Christmas tree sobbing. “I’m not ready to be the matriarch of the family!” I couldn’t muster up the happiness, joy, or peace we sung about in the Christmas carols. I just wanted to forget the holiday, and forget my grief, and yet I couldn’t.
20 Ways to Fight Depression
I remember it as if it was yesterday. I stared into the mirror but didn’t recognize the reflection gazing back at me.
Who was she? How did she get here? When did it happen?
I had fallen into depression’s pit.
My productive life turned into a struggle for existence.
As I surveyed my bathroom vanity, the signs of my normal life remained: toothbrush and toothpaste, vitamins, makeup…but the motivation to engage no longer existed.
How Do I Know if I’m Depressed? Common Symptoms of Depression
She sat across from me with tear-stained cheeks and looked at me with misty eyes.
“I’m not sure what’s wrong with me. Maybe it’s just stress.” She shared of her stresses at work, at home, and even with extended family. Yet after a few particularly important questions, I zeroed in on the heart of the problem.
“What you’re dealing with is depression,” I relayed.
Stale Thinking – A Path to Discontentment and Depression
Part of what contributes to depression is our stale thinking. When something is stale, it is on it’s way to a slow death, no longer full of life and freshness. So stale thinking is any thought that does not yield life, but pulls us down. Learn how to eliminate stale thinking.
Renewed Hope: Happy Birthday “Hope Prevails”
It started as a little desire that rattled around in my heart like a wayward pinball. I shared with a friend, “I just want to help those who live too far away to come into my office. Depression doesn’t have to be a way of life.”
She affirmed what my heart already sensed, “All of your years of training, as well as your decades of experience and your love of writing, puts you in an excellent place to write a book, a resource for those in need.”
Dear Patient, Now I Understand
Now I understand. While I’ve always been empathic and cared for my patients, I never really understood, the way I do now…now that I’ve been on the other side of the desk. The doctor, the caregiver, and the patient. After all I’ve been through, I can see that God really will use our pain for our good and His glory.
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!
