Hope Prevails
Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression Bible Study
Are you or is someone you love experiencing depression?
This book offers tangible help, hope
In this Bible study companion to Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression, Dr. Bengtson, a neuropsychologist with over 25 years of experience, shares both her clinical expertise and her own personal journey through depression.
Take this journey through the author’s experience and Scripture to:
- Learn you are not alone. Depression is common and is not shameful.
- Discover chemical, genetic, secondary, reactionary, and spiritual contributors.
- Realize depression does not determine your worth, dictate your destiny, or separate you from the love of God.
- Fight back against the enemy’s tactics that would steal your joy and peace.
Dr. Bengtson’s personal experience is interwoven with questions for reflection, key thoughts, music playlist suggestions, resources, plus a leader’s guide.
This Bible study can be used as a companion to Hope Prevails or independent study by an individual or is perfect in a small or larger group study. Useful for churches and counseling practices.
Hope Prevails Bible Study won the 2018 Christian Literary Awards prestigious Reader’s Choice Award!


Meet the Author
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Endorsements
“The Hope Prevails Bible Study is like having your own personal psychologist leading you through the tangled thoughts of a depressed person. The insightful and probing questions allow the reader to unwrap those thoughts, exposing them to the light. It offers practical exercises, which when followed, can open up doors to understanding and healing depression. Dr. Bengtson understands the tyranny of depression because she was once severely depressed herself. She approaches this subject matter not only as a doctor but also as one who’s been there. She does it with easy-to-understand language, with compassion, and with wisdom. Unlike many doctors who treat only the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of this condition, Dr. Bengtson has the courage to address the spiritual aspect. She does it masterfully, having discovered the importance of the spiritual component in any healing scenario.”
Peg Bradley
Author, The Tree: When Pride Takes a Fall
~~~
“Dr. Michelle Bengtson has done it again. The Hope Prevails Bible Study delivers the same great authentic connection, raw insights, and powerful truths that we received from her book Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression. Being in church ministry for many years, and now a lead pastor, I see this study not only as a great resource for individuals, but it would be highly beneficial to both church and counseling groups.
Dr. Bengtson is not just a neuropsychologist; she is a person who has also experienced the journey from depression to health. Her experiences allow her to uniquely sympathize with people in the midst of depression. The Hope Prevails Bible Study combines her experiences and knowledge to infuse strength and hope into anyone who participates in it.”
Pastor Debbie Kitterman
Founder of Dare 2 Hear Ministry
International Speaker and Author, Releasing God’s Heart through Hearing His Voice
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“Dr. Michelle Bengtson has a gift for sharing her vulnerability through her personal battle with depression. Using her personal and professional experience, Dr. Bengtson bridges the gap between hope and despair for her readers and leads them straight into the heart of God where healing can begin. This Bible study is beautifully crafted as a companion or independent resource to Hope Prevails and is an invaluable resource essential to any library.”
Donna Hughes
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“Prior to reading Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression, I was always at a loss as to what to say to someone held in the grips of depression. Nor was I equipped to handle my own moments of deep insecurity and pain. Reading Hope Prevails gave me a better understanding of depression and how it affects a person’s entire being – mind, body, and soul. But it was when I worked through the Hope Prevails Bible Study, taking the time to really look inside my own heart and beliefs that I gained greater awareness of how deep the spiritual roots of depression truly run. This Bible study helped reveal in my own life an awareness that I am not immune to believing many of the lies of the enemy that keep me from truly seeing myself as God sees me. Though I may never have been given a diagnosis of depression by a doctor, I need to do the work contained in the pages of the Hope Prevails Bible Study to be set free from strongholds in my life that have help me captive for far too long. And I truly believe that the truths from God’s Word that are presented in this Bible study can set you free as well!”
Gina Kelly
~~~
“Dr. Bengtson takes our hand, as she promises, and walks us out of the lies that the enemy has whispered in our ears – sometimes for our whole lives – that have led to our depression, self-doubts and brokenness. Having learned for herself, through many storms and trials, that He is always our healing path and ultimate answer, she gently and skillfully applies God’s truth to wounded places of the heart. Her vulnerable personal stories, along with her doctor’s perspective, let us know she’s been there, too, and she knows what she’s talking about. The questions lead us to delve into the Word of God and do the work we need to do for our own healing to begin.”
Mary Lee Morgan
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“The Hope Prevails Bible Study is so very timely. May God use it to take His people deeper into His Word and release them from the bondage of depression.”
Ray Comfort, Evangelist
Founder, Living Waters Publications
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“It’s impossible to overstate how much Dr. Michelle Bengtson’s “Hope Prevails Bible Study” has meant to me. The Bible study is a companion to her book, “Hope Prevails.” I’m a mentor and both works have been invaluable tools in leading women to understand the roots of depression, their true identity, and the very certain hope that they can return to a life filled with joy and purpose. Few medical professionals love as well or put themselves in as vulnerable a position in order to help others find freedom from the torment of depression. Dr. Bengtson walks you step by step through the healing process, while addressing your spirit, soul and body. Hope prevails because God and His Word always will. So pull up a chair, pick up your Bible, and prepare to be understood and made whole.”
Cindy Miller, Women’s Mentoring Leadership Team
Gateway Church
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As a huge fan of the book Hope Prevails, I was excited to hear that Dr. Bengtson was releasing with a companion Bible Study. Both are unique in a couple of ways. First, Dr. Michelle’s personal view of depression, as a clinician and as one who has suffered severe depression herself, gives credence to her message. Second, her focus on the spiritual roots of depression, as well as chemical and genetic components, is something I’ve never seen in a book on depression before.
The Bible study takes us even deeper than the book (which is very comprehensive in itself). Answering the chapter questions will be powerful as a group study. As former freedom in Christ directors, my husband and I know many people suffer from depression within the church. We’ve also experienced the truth of the exhortation of James 5:16 (KJV), “Confess your faults to one another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed.” Since pain shared this way is always pain lessened, I know that this Bible study, used in a group setting will be life transforming and sure to bring healing to many.
I highly recommend the Hope Prevails Bible Study, as a companion to the book or as a stand-alone study.
Patricia Krank, Former Director at
Freedom Session International
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This is a powerful scripture-based Bible study filled with insight into becoming free from depression. Certainly Dr. Michelle Bengtson has addressed areas of hopelessness that can become fatal to a believer and their faith in God. Her transparency gives hope and the tools to step into a transformed life. I highly recommend the Hope Prevails Bible Study to individuals, church groups, small group Bible studies, or counseling groups everywhere.
Jan Aderhold, PhD.,
Speaker, teacher, music artist
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There was a time after our boys were born when my wife struggled with anxiety, panic attacks, and increased heart rate. In time, she found herself fighting off depression daily, resulting in visits to the best cardiologists and neurologists. But none of them could find anything physically wrong. After near two years of immense struggles, we were introduced to a Biblical teaching like Hope Prevails. I am so thankful that the Lord is moving on the hearts and minds of authors like Dr. Michelle Bengtson to address medical and emotional ailments with training and Biblical revelation to produce a lifesaving book and now the Hope Prevails Bible Study. This resource should be required reading for anyone struggling with depression and for all ministry personnel. It not only offers wonderful information and revelation, the thing I love most about it is that she keeps the focus on Scripture and the healing work of the Holy Spirit. She does a masterful job of engaging the reader and leading them to the healing waters that only Jesus can offer.
Stephen Emerick, Executive Senior Pastor
Embassy City Church, Irving, Texas
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There are numerous books on depression and what has been missing is a solid Bible study on this topic. Truthfully, I wish “Hope Prevails”, both the book and Bible study had been available when I walked through my dark night of the soul. Dr. Bengtson combines her training, knowledge, and wisdom to gently take us to the only place we can find healing – God and His Word. She provides authentic stories from her own journey, insightful questions and gives us the doctor’s perspective toward Biblical emotional health. The Hope Prevails Bible Study is a prescription to not just learn to survive but to overcome the unwelcome stronghold of depression. You won’t be disappointed. It is an excellent study for a small group or a one on one conversation.
Cynthia Cavanaugh,
Speaker and Author of Live Unveiled: Freedom to Worship God, Love Others and Tell Your Story
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Dr. Michelle Bengtson has written the Hope Prevails Bible Study not only from a neuropsychologist’s point of view but also from a woman’s heart who has personally walked out the dark valley of depression by trusting God even when He seemed far away.
As a Pastor’s wife and mentor I am thrilled for this material to be available to use as a guide to help others who find themselves on the same journey that Dr. Bengtson writes of. This study will not only benefit those who are going through depression but also those who are walking alongside those who are personally experiencing depression.
Every home around the world is touched in some way by anxiety and depression. The information and insight contained in this Bible study is material that God can use to bring deliverance and restoration.
Norma Miller
Speaker, Mentor, Pastor’s Wife, Northside Church, Texarkana, Texas
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I have known Dr. Bengtson for several years. I love her writings. Being a Pastor, I appreciate her Biblical perspective. I refer many people that I counsel to her book and now with the Bible Study companion, this is a grand slam for God!!!! I have never seen so many people looking for hope in my time as a Pastor and Dr. Michelle answers that need of so very many, and gives pastors another resource.
Pastor Dewey Moede, Founder
For God’s Glory Alone Ministries
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When someone is willing to share their story from struggle to healing I can’t help but connect to them in my journey! Reading Dr. Michelle’s book brought many, “ME TOO!” moments from my own struggles with depression and restoration.
I am delighted that Michelle is bringing us the “now what” in the form of this wonderful Bible study! This study helps provide insight to our own healing journey and takes us from hurting to healing! I love the reflective questions and key thoughts which help bring everything together. The worshipful playlist helps shift the focus onto our Creator! Be ready to be transformed!
Polly Hamp
Author, NLP Practitioner, Freedom Coach
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Freedom. Isn’t that why someone sees a neuropsychologist – to be freed from what torments them?
Combine that freedom with a Bible Study and imagine the power when Jesus is the healer. That’s what Dr. Michelle Bengtson addresses in the Hope Prevails Bible Study. The whole person – they physical, emotional AND spiritual health of the reader.
Whether you are dealing with depression or other physical, emotional or spiritual strongholds, I heartily recommend what “the Doctor orders” in Hope Prevails!
Susan B. Mead
Founder of His Girls Gather