Never underestimate the reason God has your path cross another’s. Sometimes it’s for you. Sometimes it’s for them. But He always has His reasons.
Some who cross our paths will make an impression that lasts a lifetime. Make sure you tell them. Don’t wait–you never know when it will be too late.
Today I found out that one of my all-time favorite patients died. My heart is heavy. Before I received that news, I shared with three different people in my office today that it is part of my mission that people would find grace, mercy, peace, and His love when they seek care from my office.
I want my patients to leave my care being changed. They may never know why. They may never know what to attribute it to. Or maybe they will. But I want them to have an encounter with the same love that my Savior offers me every day, the same mercy, the same grace.
After sharing that sentiment with three different people in three different conversations, I received the news of my patient’s death. I can only pray that I was successful in that mission with him and his family; that I did all I could do to make an impact on their lives. That when they left my office, they were changed for the better.
I know that the diagnosis was not what they would have wanted–it rarely is. No one comes to my office because they want to be there. And I rarely get to deliver good news.
For years I have asked the Lord why He led me into a profession where everyday I have to be the bearer of bad news: “Your son has autism,” “Your father has Alzheimer’s,” “Your daughter has ADD,” “Your concussion has significantly impaired your cognitive abilities” and so on.
What He has shown me is that He didn’t put me in this position to deliver bad news; He put me in this position to spread HOPE despite the negative circumstances, because in Him, #HopePrevails!
So as I read the note from my patient’s wife, and tears streamed down my cheeks, “…we will always be thankful for the kindness you and your staff showed my husband and my family…” I release them back to Him, praying that in these difficult days ahead, He will continue to be their source of Hope, and that I will continue to have the privilege of being a conduit of His HOPE that prevails.
I will never forget this patient or his family. Nor will I ever take my role in their lives, or my other patients’ lives lightly.
We cannot afford to underestimate the reason God puts us in another’s path. Let us be faithful to the call. We may be an instrument God uses to lead them back to their only true source of hope.
Because of Him,
#HopePrevails
(If you have a question you’d like Dr. B to answer, contact her here now. Your name and identity will be kept confidential.)
A short brief about Hope Prevails.
Hope Prevails
Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Speaking from personal and professional experience, a neuropsychologist unpacks what depression is, shows how it affects us spiritually, and offers hope for living the abundant life.
Neuropsychologist Offers Hope to Those Struggling with Depression
-By 2020, depression will be our greatest epidemic worldwide
- An estimated 350 million people worldwide suffer from some form of depression
- Helpful features include personal stories, biblical truths, prayers, and music recommendations
In Hope Prevails, Dr. Bengtson writes with deep compassion and empathy, blending her extensive training and faith, to offer readers a hope that is grounded in God’s love and grace. She helps readers understand what depression is, how it affects them spiritually, and what, by God’s grace, it cannot do. The result is a treatment plan that addresses the whole person—not just chemical imbalances in the brain.
For those who struggle with depression and those that want to help them, Hope Prevails offers real hope for the future.
Hope Prevails is available now wherever books are sold. To find out more, see: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/.
Yes! I’ve been pondering the grace of this recently — all the people that God has brought into my life, and if I trace the connections back, it’s so clear that God was part of it.
Amen! I am sorry for your losses but I am glad that He has made you a messenger of Hope. I bought your book when it came out but my mom still has it. I will read it one day though and in the meantime, I am agreeing friend, that things don’t happen for no reason. God is in the moments, the weaving of our lives as they intertwine. Blessings!
Michelle, God gifted me when I met you at Christian Communicators. Even though there are miles upon miles in the states between us, you have never left my heart.
Today’s message is a treasure even though it came at a great cost to you and your patient’s family. Hope is a lasting gem. To read your book is like taking out a jewel to be renewed with hope ever lasting.
As we cry for those no longer near us, we have been blessed by their presence when God put them on our path to walk with them for a little while. I look forward to the next time God brings us together, treasured friend.
Serve on!
Love this, friend! So sorry for the loss of your patient, but I join you in prayer for his family and all who he touched in this life. I pray God will continue to strengthen you as you share His hope! XO
If only more doctors could share that compassion. I am sorry for your loss, but I’m grateful that you have the realization that you are giving hope instead of just bad news.
Saying a prayer for your patient’s grieving family. May we always be sensitive to “Divine appointments.”
Let us all work on being hope spreaders! It is an important, but also difficult and lonely job, and worth it when you get a note like that.
So glad that you are able to minister God’s hope and peace to those in the most difficult circumstances, Michelle!
What a blessing you must be to your patients and your staff. Soaking in the reminder of communicating our feelings to others. Bless you!
I’m so sorry about the loss of your patient. 🙁 I’m glad you’re the kind of doctor that cares. This is so true: “Sometimes it’s for you. Sometimes it’s for them. But He always has His reasons.” We don’t have to know the reasons why our paths cross, but we can be thankful that God always has purpose for them!
I hope the same thing even though I know i don’t have the same impact you do. God bless you for your work and hope you give them.
This is so beautiful. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to lose patients you love, and to share bad news with others regularly. Clearly God chose you for such important work, and I’m so glad you’re spreading hope every single day. So happy to have found your site today! 🙂 Visiting from Sunday Thoughts.
I am so sorry for the loss of your patient, Michelle. God always has purpose when two lives intersect. With some, we may know why while yet here and with others, we may not know till we get to eternity. May our lives be a display of His grace, love, and mercy with all we meet. Blessings!
May god continue to use you to bring hope to others!
Hi Dr. Michelle! So blessed to read your post and to know about your passion for God. I am really encouraged to know that you are impacting your patient’s lives with your loving care and Jesus’s hope and love. I am so glad our path crossed. May God bless your service to Him!
Sorry for your loss Michelle. Hoping God fills you with His peace knowing you have done your part for Him.
There are no chance encounters … no accidents with God, are there! Thanks for this reminder to let people know how they have impacted our lives. Continuing to pray for you and your family!
I love this blog! I always know that people I meet, I have met for a reason and a purpose. It is not a chance encounter. I know that I found your blog and your posts several years ago for a reason and a purpose. What you have shared has encouraged me so much and continues to this day to encourage and bless me. I feel I know you much better than I did 3 or so years ago when I first began to follow you. I love that you always give encouraging messages and point me back to Jesus, always to Jesus. I know that you have impacted your patients in the same way. I know it is hard to deliver bad news but truly what you deliver is truth and then help them apply the truth to their lives in a very positive way. That type encouragement has such great value and has Kingdom value. I do enjoy our friendship and the love we share as friends blesses me. Praying for you always Dr. Michelle!!!