Your Hope-Filled Perspective Podcast
A Fresh Start: Trusting God’s Redemption Over Your Past – Episode 351
A new year can stir excitement, uncertainty, and memories we wish we could leave behind. But, our God is a God of redemption, new beginnings, and fresh mercies every morning. Join me on the podcast where I talk about how God meets us with grace, redeems what feels broken, and invites us to step forward free from shame and anchored in hope.
Hope for the Weary Soul – Episode 350
So many of us arrive at Christmas tired, not just physically, but deep in our hearts. In this week’s episode, we talk about releasing the pressure to perform, choosing rest over striving, and abiding in Christ as our source of renewal. This Christmas Day conversation is for the weary soul who needs hope.
Biblical Literacy and Why It’s Important to Learn Who God Is – Episode 349
What you believe about God shapes how you live, pray, and respond when life feels uncertain. Yet many of us carry assumptions about God that were shaped by culture or experience rather than Scripture.
In this conversation with Jenny Randle, we discuss why biblical literacy is essential for every believer. We talk about theology as the art of knowing God, not as something intimidating, but as an invitation to grow in understanding, confidence, and love for the One who already fully knows us.
How God Wired Our Brains for Advent Hope: Why Anticipation Fuels Our Faith – Episode 348
Anticipation is more powerful than we often realize. It can lift our mood, sharpen our focus, and stir our hearts toward what we value most. In this episode, we take a closer look at how God uses anticipation to shape both our minds and our faith during the Advent season. By understanding the role of dopamine and the gift of holy expectancy, we can approach Advent with renewed purpose, deeper joy, and a greater awareness of the hope Christ brings now and in the future.
Finding Hope in a Blue Christmas: How to Care for Hurting Hearts During the Holidays – Episode 347
Christmas is often described as bright and cheerful, yet many walk through the season carrying hurt that is not easy to see. On this week’s episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, Rev. Jessica Van Roekel and I explore how sadness, loneliness, or unmet expectations can surface during the holidays. We talk about giving ourselves permission to feel what is real, practical ways to support others who are hurting, and how God brings light into dark places. Whether your Christmas is full of joy or feels more blue than bright, you will find encouragement to hold on to hope.
God Sees You: Finding Hope and Purpose When You Feel Invisible – Episode 346
When you feel invisible or when loneliness weighs heavy during the holidays, God sees you. Hope is still within reach. Join me as I share God’s truth, comforting reminders, and simple ways to sense His nearness and help others feel seen.
Hope When You Hit Rock Bottom – Episode 345
When you feel like your past defines you or your mistakes cannot be undone, Julie Seals’ story offers a powerful reminder of God’s love and rescue. In this episode, she shares the moment God met her in a federal prison, brought healing to her broken heart, and filled her with a joy she could not contain. Even behind razor wire, she found freedom because Christ transformed her from within. Part 2 of this interview will encourage you to believe that God sees you, hears you, and can bring beauty out of any place of despair.
How to Find Hope After Addiction, Loss, and Imprisonment – Episode 344
Join me on the podcast as I talk with Julie Seals, a woman who found herself caught in the grip of addiction and facing years behind bars. What happened next could only be described as miraculous. God met her at rock bottom and turned her pain into purpose. If you need encouragement to believe that redemption is still possible, you will find hope after addiction in Julie’s story.
How God Views Grumbling and Complaining & How to Cultivate a Grateful Heart – Episode 343
Have you ever caught yourself grumbling when life doesn’t go as planned? I’ve been there too. In this episode, Rev. Jessica Van Roekel and I talk about what our complaints reveal about our trust in God and how shifting to gratitude changes everything. Learn how to replace grumbling with grace and experience peace that flows from a grateful heart.
Learning to Say No Without Feeling Guilty (Moving from Overwhelmed to Overjoyed) – Episode 342
In recognition of National Stress Awareness Day, I’m talking about something that affects so many of us: overcommitment. When we try to do it all, it takes a toll on our minds, bodies, and spirits. In this episode, I’ll share what Scripture and science teach about stress, how Jesus modeled rest and boundaries, and five practical ways to set God-honoring limits. Together, we’ll talk about learning to say no without feeling guilty so you can say yes to God’s best.
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
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