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Episode Summary: What happens when God takes a man from a life of drugs, violence, and crime, and turns him into a vessel of hope and healing? On this episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson, I talk with Larry Huch, pastor, author, and former drug addict whose story is told in his powerful new book, From Junkie to Jerusalem. Once a cocaine dealer working with Colombian cartels, Larry’s life spiraled into brokenness, anger, and destruction. Yet God intervened, rescuing him from the pit of addiction and setting him on a path to freedom, restoration, and ministry. If you’ve ever doubted that transformation is possible for yourself or someone you love, this story will give you renewed hope in God’s power to break generational curses and bring lasting freedom. Quotables from the episode: Once you are an addict, the spiral into the abyss is both brutal and swift. You don’t always recognize the tipping point until it’s too late. I ran from the long arms of the law to the strong arms of the Lord. Because between the sports, the sand, and the drugs, I was looking for happiness. In dealing drugs, I really thought money was going to make me happy. It worked for a little bit. Then you're empty again. When I realized that Jesus didn't just come to forgive me, he came to break that generational, that family curse. The world says you never change. But the Word says ‘who the sun sets free shall be free indeed.' When I realized what Jesus had done for me, God had called me to tell my story so it could happen for somebody else. You're not responsible for the outcome. But when God is nudging you, he's ready to do a work. When you're drawn to somebody, don't look on the outside. Don't look at the way the world looks at them. So, if we focus on those negative thoughts, if we focus on those doubts, if we focus on the discouragement, our brain is going to search for more of that. It's not over, my friends. It's not over. God is in the restoration business. So you keep praying, you keep speaking, you keep declaring truth, your miracle is coming. Recommended Resources:  From Junkie to Jerusalem by Larry Huch Free at Last by Larry Huch 7 Places Jesus Shed His Blood by Larry Huch The Seven Living Prophecies by Larry Huch Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Pastor Larry Huch: Website / Facebook / Instagram / X / YouTube Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /   Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Guest: Larry and Tiz Huch are the founding and senior pastors of New Beginnings Church in Bedford, Texas, a non-denominational multiethnic congregation. They have pioneered 7 different churches in America and Australia. Their program, New Beginnings, is watched and followed by hundreds of thousands of people whose lives have been dramatically impacted and changed. As a former drug addict and dealer, Larry has compassion for those caught in the web of addiction. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: Have you ever felt a stirring in your heart that God created you for something more, yet you weren’t sure how to take the next step? Many of us wrestle with doubt, fear, or the belief that our dreams are too small—or too big—for God to use. My guest today, Linette Rainville, knows what it’s like to start small but dream big. In her new book, Start Little, Dream Big: Grow the Ministry You Were Born to Build, Linette shares how God takes ordinary obedience and multiplies it into extraordinary kingdom impact. If you’ve ever longed to step into your calling, this conversation will encourage you to move forward with faith. Today we’re going to talk about How to Step Boldly into the Ministry God Created You For.   Quotables from the episode: You have something the world needs. This gift that you're holding wasn't just meant for you. It was meant for the world. God wants you to step out boldly because it's not about you. There's no need to compare because God has assigned someone to you We cannot compare because God has an avenue, whether you're a big ministry, small ministry, big megachurch, small church, it all matters in the kingdom. Don't wait until you get to your destination to be fulfilled. You need to be fulfilled in each step of the journey, each season. We are only obliged to do the very next thing God’s called us to do. It's not that you can't do it. It's just that you haven't been shown a roadmap. When it feels slow or the growth feels invisible, friend, I just want you to remember God is still working even when we don't see it. When it feels slow or the growth feels invisible, friend, I just want you to remember God is still working even when we don't see it. You have all the raw material you need to step forth boldly with courage and confidence. Scripture References: Matthew 13:31-32 NIV “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Philippians 2:13 “…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”   Recommended Resources: Start Little, Dream Big: Grow the Ministry You Were Born to Build by Linette Rainville Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue   Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Linette Rainville: Website / Facebook / LinkedIn / Instagram Connect with Dr. Bengtson: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /   Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Guest: Linette Rainville is a warm-hearted, down-to-earth speaker, mentor, and author—best known for helping women Start Little and Dream BIG. As the founder of Daughters United, she equips women to grow ministries, missions, and movements from the ground up—right where they are. Through her books, training programs, and the Daughters United Community, Linette mentors women across the globe—virtually and in person. Each year she connects with thousands through her online academy, interactive workshops, live virtual gatherings, and in-person speaking events. She is the author of Start Little, Dream Big and the creator of Mission Builders Academy, a 12-month certification program that equips women to serve as Mentors, Christian Coaches, and Chaplains. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: What if I told you that fear doesn't just affect your emotions? It actually changes your brain. What if the reason you keep replaying worst case scenarios, struggle to make decisions, avoid opportunities, or feel constantly on edge isn't because you're weak or lacking faith, but because fear has been quietly reshaping the way your brain processes information. The truth is that fear is one of the most powerful forces affecting our thoughts, our bodies, our relationships, and even our spiritual lives. Fear can convince us that danger is everywhere. It can cause us to re expect rejection before it happens. Assume failure before we've even tried. And imagine catastrophe where God has already prepared provision. Yet scripture repeatedly tells us, do not fear. Why would God command us not to fear unless He also provided a way to overcome it?  Today we're going to explore what fear does to the brain from a neuroscience perspective, why fear becomes so difficult to break free from, and how faith literally helps retrain the brain toward peace, courage, confidence, and hope. If you've ever felt trapped by anxiety, overwhelmed by worry, or exhausted from carrying the weight of fear, today's episode is for you. Quotables from the episode: The more frequently the brain experiences fear, the stronger those fear pathways become. Neuroscientists often summarize this principle with a simple phrase: Neurons that fire together wire together. The brain becomes more efficient at whatever it practices repeatedly. If you repeatedly practice gratitude, gratitude pathways strengthen. If you repeatedly practice hope, hope pathways strengthen. And if you repeatedly practice fear, fear pathways strengthen. Fear often disguises itself as wisdom. It tells us we're being careful. It tells us we're being practical. It tells us we're being realistic. But many times what we're actually doing is allowing fear to make decisions God intended faith to make. Fear asks, what if everything goes wrong? Faith asks, what if God is already there? Fear asks, what if I fail? Faith asks, what if God sustains me? Fear asks, what if I can't handle this? Faith asks, what if God provides exactly for what I need when I need it? You see, that difference is profound. One perspective focuses on our limitations. The other focuses on God's sufficiency. Fear isolates, but faith connects. Fear causes us to retreat inward, while faith gives us the courage to move forward towards others. The mind was never designed to carry the weight of controlling the future. Biblical courage is not the absence of fear. Biblical courage is moving forward in obedience, despite fear, because we trust God more than we trust our feelings. The fear-based patterns you've developed are not necessarily permanent. The anxious thought loops you've rehearsed for years are not necessarily your destiny. The brain can change. Positive thinking says everything will work out exactly the way I want. Biblical thinking says, no matter what happens, God will remain faithful. You can acknowledge fear without surrendering to it. You can experience uncertainty without being controlled by it. And you can move forward with courage even when you feel afraid. Scripture References: 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Recommended Resources:  Free Stress-Response Personality Assessment Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian  Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue   Social Media Links for Host: For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /   Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple   Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: Have you ever found yourself standing in front of the refrigerator even though you're not hungry? Or scrolling social media long after you intended to put your phone down? Maybe you've filled your online shopping cart after a stressful day. Maybe you've stayed busy from sunrise to sunset because slowing down would force you to feel what you've been trying to avoid. Most of us think those moments are about lack of discipline. But what if they're actually revealing something much deeper? What if your brain isn't craving food, social media, shopping, busyness, or distraction at all? What if what you're really craving is comfort? Today in honor of World Mental Health Day, Rev Jessica Van Roekel and I talk about why we seek comfort when life feels overwhelming, what happens inside the brain during seasons of stress, and how God offers something far more healing than temporary relief.   Quotables from the episode: The problem isn't that we need comfort. The problem is that we often look for comfort in places that were never designed to heal us. Those things may soothe us temporarily, but they can't restore us permanently. God never asks us to deny our humanity. He invites us to bring our humanity to Him. When we're overwhelmed, the brain becomes less concerned with what's best long term and more concerned with what feels better immediately The brain isn't trying to sabotage you. It's trying to help you feel better. The problem is that temporary relief can masquerade as genuine healing. Healthy comfort helps us process life. Unhealthy comfort helps us avoid life. When we numb our emotions, we may temporarily reduce discomfort, but we also delay healing. Emotions that are buried don't disappear. They often resurface later in different forms such as anxiety, irritability, resentment, exhaustion, or depression. Martha was seeking relief through activity. Mary was seeking comfort through presence. Every time we pause, become aware, and choose restoration over escape, we're strengthening new pathways in the brain. Distraction helps us forget our pain for a little while. God's comfort helps us carry it. Healing isn't merely the absence of unhealthy coping. Healing is the presence of healthy living.   Scripture References: Psalm 34:18 tells us: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."   Recommended Resources: Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything By Jessica Van Roekel Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue   Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Rev. Jessica Van Roekel: Website / Instagram / Facebook Connect with Dr. Bengtson: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /   Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Co-Host: Jessica Van Roekel is a worship leader, speaker, and writer who believes that through Jesus, personal histories don’t need to define the present or determine the future. She inspires, encourages, and equips others to look at life through the lenses of hope, trust, and God’s transforming grace. Jessica lives in rural Iowa surrounded by wide open spaces which remind her of God’s expansive love. She loves fun earrings, good coffee, and connecting with others. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: Today’s episode with Laurie Davies brings a powerful lens to a struggle many of us don’t even realize we have: emotional hoarding. We joke about “emotional baggage,” but most of us are carrying far more than a suitcase—we’re holding closets full of unprocessed feelings like worry, panic, regret, false guilt, anger, or shame. Our guest’s new Moody Publishers release offers a gentle, insightful, biblical pathway to recognize the emotional clutter weighing us down and step into the freedom Christ provides. This is a conversation that will help you name what’s been holding you back and learn how to release it for good.   Quotables from the episode: I have a luggage tag that I put on my carry-on bag, and it says, “My emotional baggage won't fit into the overhead bin,” and it always gets a lot of laughs. We talk about that in a light way sometimes.  My thesis in the book is that we don't actually have an emotional baggage problem.  We're emotional hoarders. I think hoarded hearts are very much like hoarded homes.  We can let emotional kind of skyscrapers build in our hearts.  Before we know it, we're maneuvering our way around with all this clutter, which actually is a lack of freedom. All these kinds of emotions that God doesn't want us to haul all of these out to the dumpster.  But I do think he wants us to look at them, acknowledge them, process them, and see kind of what he's showing us through them. I think any of us who want to put forth that we're 100 percent healed.  I mean, we'll all be looking at each other in heaven, 100 percent healed.  And until then, aren't we glad for the grace of God and the tenderness of the Holy Spirit? We know these emotions are not good.  They don't even feel good.  But if we go back to bitterness, I think if we're being honest, sometimes we like the way the grudge feels in our hands.  It gives us that little feeling of “I'm not going to let them off the hook.” Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ set us free.”  So why would we go back to wearing a yoke of slavery?  Freedom is of high value to the Lord.  It's why he came to set the captives free, to set the prisoners free. When we start to face the things that are keeping us stuck, we'll taste a freedom that we won't want to turn back from. It’s a life changer, and we won't want to go back to the chains we once wore.  They just won't fit anymore. Grace fills all those gaps where we wish we would have gone left instead of right. There's no room for shame.  There is plenty of room for conviction.  And conviction is offered to us as a gift to restore our relationship with God.   Scripture References: Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, God, and know my heart…See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”   Recommended Resources:  Emotional Hoarding: Letting Go of the Stuff that Keeps You Stuck by Laurie Davies Free Stress-Response Personality Assessment Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian  Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue   Social Media Links for Host: Connect with Laurie Davies: Website / Instagram For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /   Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple   Guest: Laurie Davies is a writer, national speaker, and lay counselor who helps women deal with their “emotional accumulation,” letting go of things like regret, grudges, false guilt, and shame. Her debut book, Emotional Hoarding: Letting Go of the Stuff That Keeps You Stuck, released with Moody Publishers in March 2026. Laurie’s writing has been featured in Guideposts and the Proverbs 31 First 5 app, and she also serves as lead editor on Shaunti Feldhahn’s Atlanta-based ministry staff. Laurie lives in the Phoenix area with her husband of 30 years. Their adult son lives nearby.   Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: Have you ever felt like stress is living inside your body, no matter how much you pray, rest, or try to stay positive? For so many people, stress isn't just emotional or mental. It's actually deeply embedded in the nervous system, shaping how we respond, react, and even relate to God and others. In today's episode, we're diving into why stress becomes chronic, how emotional and relational stress can quietly accumulate over time, and what it looks like to heal rather than simply cope. We'll explore why willpower isn't enough, how the body remembers stress even when the mind wants to move on, and how a compassionate, faith-informed approach can lead to lasting freedom. This conversation is especially for you who feel overwhelmed, emotionally depleted, or stuck in survival mode, yet long for peace that feels real, sustainable, and aligned with how God designed us to live. In this episode of your Hope Filled Perspective, we will talk about how to improve your gut health to support your emotional health.   Quotables from the episode: Stress is no longer just a lifestyle issue. It's a whole person issue affecting the brain, body, emotions, and spiritual well-being. Many people try to manage stress by changing their schedules, their diets, or their thinking patterns. Yet they still feel stuck in exhaustion, anxiety, and overwhelm. What if the real key to healing stress isn't found outside of us, but within. The gut brain connection is also called your HPA axis. It is that two way highway between your brain and your gut. When we are in that state of chronic stress, it can be caused by external factors like a really intense job. It can be caused by internal factors like a poor diet, inflammation, things like that. Why is healing the gut so essential for healing stress from the inside out? When you're healing your gut, you're helping to heal that inflammation internally, which then allows your body to go into that rest and digest state so that you're absorbing your nutrients, you're actually getting the vitamins, the minerals that your body needs to fully function. I think that's one thing that people really don't understand is that nutrition absolutely plays a big role in helping regulate cortisol, helping it stay normal and level. I like to tell people, pick one thing, just one small thing. Do that for two weeks. And if you can do that for two weeks, then you know you found something that works for you. How can faith-based practices support gut health and emotional healing?  When we do faith-based practices like prayer or meditation, it is actually activating our parasympathetic nervous system. It's activating that rest and digest system. It triggers the vagus nerve. The Lord built that in to naturally happen when we pray, when we meditate. When I finally came awake spiritually again, I started to realize what the word says about my identity in Christ. It was a slow undoing of the lies that I had been telling myself to reclaiming that truth that in Christ that he tells us our identity is in him. The beauty of neuroplasticity is that God created our minds and our bodies to change. Proverbs 14:30 that says, "A heart at peace gives life to the body.” You too can heal your gut and heal from the inside out.    Scripture References: 3 John 1:2 “I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." Proverbs 14:30 "A heart at peace gives life to the body.”   Recommended Resources:  Heal Your Stress from the Inside Out by Holly Andrews Abundantly Well: Bible-based Wisdom for Weight Loss, Increased Energy, and Vibrant Health by Shemane Nugent Free Stress-Response Personality Assessment Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian  Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue   Social Media Links for Host: Connect with Holly Andrews: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / LinkedIn / YouTube For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /   Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple   Guest: Holly Andrews was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. She holds a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Covenant College and a Master’s in Russian from Middlebury College. Her early career took her overseas to Russia, where she lived for three years before joining the National Security Agency in 2005. Over the next 17 years, Holly rose to an executive leadership role, overseeing cutting-edge technology operations, leading high-profile teams and projects until her departure in 2022.   In 2019, a personal health crisis became the unexpected turning point that changed everything. As Holly began to heal physically, she rediscovered a deeper sense of purpose that led her to pursue health coaching. She is now a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and the founder of Andrews Coaching & Transformation, where she helps others reduce stress, restore balance, and reclaim their well-being. Holly is the author of Heal Your Stress from the Inside Out, a guide to addressing stress through a holistic, root-cause approach. She is passionate about empowering others to transform their health from the inside out.   Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson     Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: Trauma can shatter our sense of safety, identity, and trust—especially when it comes at the hands of someone who vowed to love us. In today’s episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, I’m joined by a licensed professional counselor and marriage and family therapist whose story of surviving attempted murder is both heartbreaking and incredibly inspiring. Through her faith and her training, she has transformed her pain into purpose, helping others heal from grief, loss, and trauma. Today she shares how God meets us in our darkest moments and how we can reclaim our lives after the deepest wounds. This story is not about a villain and a victim. Instead, it is about a woman who, despite being victimized, chose healing and emerged victorious. Today we’re going to be talking about how to move from surviving to truly living again, even after the deepest hurts.   Quotables from the episode: I will not be a victim. I was victimized.  And on that day, I was a victim.  But from that point on, I became I had been victimized, but I was not going to be a victim. I said, “I want you to know I will forgive you.“ I kept declaring these things over myself without even realizing it.  Now, I did not forgive him that day, although I prayed for him that night when he was in jail. I had to work through that, but I knew that I will be forgiving.  I will be joyful.  I knew this is not going to be the end of my story because the devil will not have the last word. Let me maybe clarify too, because even though I declared all that over me, that doesn't mean I wasn't falling apart at times.  You know, healing is not linear.  I was weeping.  I'd have good days and I'd had bad days.  So, I don't want to give the impression that I just said, okay, life will be great. When people say, “where's God when bad things happen?”  You know, sometimes we say it as an accusation, like God wasn't there. I love to say, ask the Lord where he was because he was there. I didn't know if I was going to live or die.  But in that moment, I knew I would not have died alone.  That it was Psalm 23 come alive that said, “yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you're with me.” So many people think, “well, we shouldn't walk through any valleys.”  But the Bible says we're going to walk through the shadow of the valley, the shadow of death.  The promise is he's not going to leave us. The hardest person to forgive was myself. I had to go back and rewrite those beliefs because I hadn't failed. I told myself and the enemy told me I had. I've come to learn that you can heal without forgiveness, but you can't be whole. I love to tell people that God is in the restoration business.  There is no story that is too far gone. There is nothing he cannot redeem because that's what God's specialty is, is bringing beauty from ashes. Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it can't happen.  Hold on to God, who is the author of hope.  He's not going to let you down.    Recommended Resources:  Healing from Life’s Deepest Hurts: Reclaiming Your Life After Grief, Loss, or Trauma by Kimberly Haar, LPC, LMFT   Free Stress-Response Personality Assessment Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian  Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue   Social Media Links for Host: For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /   Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple   Guest: Kimberly Haar, LPC, LMFT, is a survivor of domestic violence, a licensed professional counselor, and a license marriage and family therapist with nearly two decades of experience helping others find healing and wholeness in life. Her therapy practice is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she continues to inspire hope and strength in those facing life’s challenges.   Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: Have you ever found yourself asking, "God, what happened?" Not because you've stopped believing. Not because you've lost your faith. But because life unfolded so differently than you expected that you're still trying to make sense of it. Perhaps you prayed faithfully for healing, but the diagnosis remained. Perhaps you believed a relationship would last, only to watch it fall apart. Perhaps you worked diligently toward a goal, only to have the opportunity slip through your fingers. Maybe you carried a dream for years—something you genuinely believed God had placed on your heart—and yet that dream never materialized. One of the hardest realities of life is that sometimes our greatest pain comes not from what happened, but from what didn't happen. Disappointment has a unique kind of grief attached to it. It's the grief of unmet expectations. It's the grief of unanswered questions. It's the grief of looking at your life and realizing it doesn't resemble the picture you once carried in your heart. What many people don't realize is that disappointment affects far more than our emotions. It affects our thinking. It affects our stress levels. It affects our motivation. It affects our relationships. It affects our faith. And it even affects our brains. In honor of the National Day of Encouragement, Rev. Jessica Van Roekel and I talk about what happens when expectations are shattered, why disappointment can become so emotionally heavy, and how we can move forward without becoming stuck in discouragement or cynicism. If you've ever wrestled with a dream that didn't happen, a prayer that seemed unanswered, or a season that didn't unfold the way you hoped, this conversation is for you.   Quotables from the episode: Disappointment isn't evidence of weak faith. It's evidence that you're human. But disappointment often involves grieving an anticipated future. We're grieving what we thought would happen. We're grieving what we expected. We're grieving the story we imagined. But minimizing pain doesn't heal pain. It simply buries it. And buried disappointment has a way of resurfacing later. And the larger the gap between expectation and reality, the more emotionally significant that disruption becomes. Which explains why disappointment can feel so destabilizing. That's where disappointment creates such tension. Our brains crave certainty, but our faith requires trust. Learning to navigate that tension is an important part of emotional and spiritual maturity. We cannot surrender something to God that we're unwilling to admit exists. Honest emotion is not the enemy of faith. In many ways, honest emotion becomes the doorway through which deeper faith develops. Yet pain is not always an accurate interpreter of reality. But biblical hope was never intended to rest on outcomes. It was intended to rest on God's character. Hope isn't certainty about the future. It's confidence in the One who holds the future. Recommended Resources: Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything By Jessica Van Roekel Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue   Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Rev. Jessica Van Roekel: Website / Instagram / Facebook Connect with Dr. Bengtson: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /   Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Co-Host: Jessica Van Roekel is a worship leader, speaker, and writer who believes that through Jesus, personal histories don’t need to define the present or determine the future. She inspires, encourages, and equips others to look at life through the lenses of hope, trust, and God’s transforming grace. Jessica lives in rural Iowa surrounded by wide open spaces which remind her of God’s expansive love. She loves fun earrings, good coffee, and connecting with others. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary:  What if the most important thing you prepare your child for this school year isn't academic success—but emotional resilience? While parents are busy buying school supplies, organizing schedules, and preparing for the first day of class, many children are quietly carrying anxiety, stress, loneliness, pressure, and fear into the new school year. And if we're honest, many parents are carrying those same burdens. The truth is that a child's mental health affects everything—from learning and memory to relationships, confidence, and spiritual well-being. So before the homework starts piling up and the calendar fills to overflowing, let's talk about how to create a home where every member of the family can thrive emotionally, mentally, and spiritually throughout the school year. Today we're talking about something that affects nearly every family this time of year: How to Strengthen Your Family's Mental Health This School Year.   Quotables from the episode: As a neuropsychologist, I often explain that the brain functions best when it feels safe. Neuroscience teaches us about emotional contagion. Our nervous systems influence one another. Children often borrow emotional cues from the adults around them. When parents remain calm during stressful situations, children learn calmness. When parents model healthy coping skills, children learn resilience. When parents prioritize emotional health, children learn that mental health matters. One of the greatest gifts you can give your family is predictability. Our brains love predictability because predictability creates safety. When life feels chaotic, the brain remains on high alert. When life feels structured, the brain can relax. If I could give families one neuroscience-based recommendation, it would be this: Protect sleep. Sleep is not a luxury. Sleep is a necessity. During sleep, the brain consolidates memories. It processes emotions. It restores energy. It strengthens attention and learning. Many children struggle not because they have emotions but because they don't know what to do with them. One of the most valuable skills we can teach children is emotional awareness. Help them identify what they're feeling. As parents, we must consistently remind our children that their value comes from who they are, not what they achieve. Many parents want to protect their children from every hardship. I understand that instinct. But resilience develops when children learn they can survive challenges. The goal isn't a stress-free life. The goal is learning how to navigate stress in healthy ways. Research consistently shows that strong family relationships reduce the risk of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and other mental health concerns. Connection doesn't require perfection. It requires presence. Children spell love T-I-M-E. The world teaches self-reliance. Scripture teaches God-reliance.   Recommended Resources:  Free Stress-Response Personality Assessment Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian  Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue   Social Media Links for Host: For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /   Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple   Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: When you are crushed and broken hearted, where do you go to find hope? Jesus said that in this life we will have pain, heartbreak, and trials. So how do we deal with our pain? What does it look like to walk with God in our grief. Our guest today has experienced her share of pain including a traumatic brain injury as well as cancer diagnoses for two of her daughters. In her suffering, Linda boldly asked God tough questions like How do I keep going? God, where are you? And How do I keep trusting. In honor of Grief Awareness Day, today we’re going to be talking about Daring to Hope When Your Heart Is Shattered: Trusting God Through Pain and Loss.   Quotables from the episode: I'm going to dare to hope anyway. I am going to dare to hope. God, I can't give up. I have to keep trusting you. I will not give up. I will not give up. I will not give up. Hope does not come from a change in your circumstances, but from a change in your thinking. I had to look up, I had to look at him, and I had to say ‘I won't give up.’ You are my hope, God, and my hope will be in you. If I got on my knees and opened my hands and surrendered to him, I got my perspective right because my eyes were lifted up to him. The greatest way to pour hope into your hurting heart is to sink deep into the love of God. Because being with you, my beloved, is the most important thing in my life. Peace can't be in our circumstances. It has to be in him.   Scripture References: Lamentations 3:21-24 “Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance;’ therefore, I will hope in him!” Habakkuk 2:4 “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 15:13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”   Recommended Resources:  Hope for My Hurting Heart: 8 Heart Skills to Help You Cling to God and Not Give Up by Linda Dillow Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow Free Stress-Response Personality Assessment Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian  Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue   Social Media Links for Host: For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /   Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple   About Linda Dillow: Linda Dillow is a bestselling author and a respected Bible teacher and conference speaker. She is the author of Calm My Anxious Heart and her new book Hope for My Hurting Heart. Linda is the mother of four children including one who is now with Jesus, and the grandmother of ten. She and her husband Jody make their home in Monument, Colorado.   Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: The God of the universe is trying to communicate with you. Are you listening? Have you ever felt like God was prompting you to do something but questioned whether it was his voice? Instead of acting, you waited for another sign. What if God has already given us what we need to know if a word is from him? Today’s guest, Abby McDonald, addresses a key misconception about God's voice: that it will tell what will happen tomorrow. We've mistaken God's voice in our lives for a means of obtaining knowledge instead of embracing its power to give us peace for today. Since the fall in the garden of Eden, humanity has carried the same deception that misled Eve. We think more information will give us more freedom. But if we look at Jesus's teachings, we see that his direction was never intended to give us a roadmap. We can trade the yoke of certainty we carry for a better one: Jesus's yoke. By focusing on three promises Jesus gave us in John 10, Abby McDonald, addresses a key misconception about God's voice: that it will tell what shows a better way to live, empowered by God's Word instead of a false sense of security. In this episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, we’re going to be talking about How to Hear from God and Find Peace Without Knowing What’s Next.   Quotables from the episode: Jesus never promised to give us a guarantee about what's going to happen now his presence with us is a guarantee absolutely but he doesn't promise to show us what's going to happen. We can trade that yoke, that need for certainty for Jesus' yoke. And he tells us his yoke is easy and his burden is light. And that doesn't promise that our lives are going to be easy and light. He doesn't promise us that, but he does promise to give us what we need for today. And there's so much more peace living in today. Until we surrender those questions that, like you said, we're just going to live in that state of anxiety, and we're going to be worrying and trying to control what is not in our ability to control. If we focus on what God has given us, the truth that He has given us, then we can live in His peace and we can have joy and abundant life. Let your fear propel you toward Jesus. Most of the time in my experience, hearing from God is more like a gentle nudge. It's more like a prompt or just this burning that I fill in my heart and I just know that I have to do something. We don't learn to recognize those nudges until we act on them. What can look like a closed door may actually just be a detour in the path that he has to get us where he wants us ultimately to go. We cannot know the voice of God if we do not know what his word says.   Scripture References: John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, they will follow me.” John 10:9 “They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” John 10:28 “No one will snatch them out of my hand.”   Recommended Resources:  Surrendering Certainty: Hearing God Today by Letting Go of Tomorrow by Abby McDonald  Shift: Changing Our Focus to See the Presence of God by Abby McDonald  Free Stress-Response Personality Assessment Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian  Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue   Social Media Links for Guest and Host: Connect with Abby McDonald: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / LinkedIn   For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /   Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple   About Abby McDonald: Abby McDonald is the author of Shift and Surrendering Certainty. She is also a writer, speaker, wife and mom whose work has been featured on (in)Courage, For Every Mom, Crosswalk, and more. She writes for Proverbs 31 Ministries' daily devotional, Encouragement for Today, and her passion is to empower women to grow in faith and hope, even when life is messy. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the  University of South Carolina, and loves to teach at writing conferences each year. When she's not reading or writing, you can find her wrangling her three kids and black lab while drinking copious amounts of coffee. Abby lives with her husband and three children in western Maryland.   Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: What if the tears, stomachaches, or sudden mood swings your child is experiencing right now aren’t just “back-to-school nerves”…but signs of anxiety their brain doesn’t yet know how to process? As backpacks are packed and school doors reopen, many families are quietly navigating a surge of stress, fear, and emotional overwhelm. Your child may not have the words to explain what they’re feeling—but their behavior is speaking loudly. And if you’ve ever felt unsure how to respond…wondered whether to push them forward or pull them close…or questioned if you’re helping or accidentally making it worse—you are not alone. In today’s episode, we’re uncovering what’s really happening beneath the surface of back-to-school anxiety and equipping you with both the neuroscience and the Scripture-based truth you need to help your child move from fear to peace—and from overwhelm to confidence. Quotables from the episode: At its core, anxiety is the brain’s response to perceived threat or uncertainty. Back-to-school introduces a lot of “unknowns”—new teachers, new routines, social dynamics, academic expectations. What looks like defiance or avoidance is often distress. Anxiety in children is often expressed through the body or behavior rather than words. You might see stomachaches, headaches, irritability, tears, avoidance, or even perfectionism. As a parent, I encourage you to look at three things: intensity, duration, and impact. If your child’s distress is ongoing, escalating, or interfering with daily life—like sleep, appetite, or school attendance—it’s likely more than typical stress. The key is that we need to learn how to better respond to anxiety, NOT try to avoid it. Comforting is good, but what children need first is validation, not correction. The goal isn’t to remove anxiety—it’s to teach children how to move through it with confidence. Children borrow our nervous system. If we are anxious, they will feel it. But when we are calm, we communicate safety. Confidence comes from experience—not avoidance. Each time a child faces something hard and gets through it, the brain rewires to say, “I can handle this.” Your presence matters more than your perfection. Your child doesn’t need a flawless parent—they need a connected one. Scripture References: Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” Colossians 3:12 encourages us to “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous…for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you… I will strengthen you and help you.” Galatians 6:2 reminds us to “carry each other’s burdens.” Proverbs 11:14 says, “In the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Philippians 4:6–7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God…” Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” Recommended Resources: Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything By Jessica Van Roekel Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue   Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Rev. Jessica Van Roekel: Website / Instagram / Facebook Connect with Dr. Bengtson: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /   Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Co-Host: Jessica Van Roekel is a worship leader, speaker, and writer who believes that through Jesus, personal histories don’t need to define the present or determine the future. She inspires, encourages, and equips others to look at life through the lenses of hope, trust, and God’s transforming grace. Jessica lives in rural Iowa surrounded by wide open spaces which remind her of God’s expansive love. She loves fun earrings, good coffee, and connecting with others. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: Photographs tell the story of time passed. People move in and out of the frame. Babies grow from child to adult. Moms and dad gain wrinkles and gray hair. Just as our physical selves change over time, so do relationships, including friendships. Friendships are one of God’s sweetest gifts, but they can be one of life’s most painful areas of change. Some friendships deepen over time. Some drift and some end unexpectedly. Yet God, our forever friend, remains faithful through every changing season. Quotables from the episode: Friendships rarely end all at once. Most often, they change quietly, little by little, until one day we realize something is different. We may be closer or we may have drifted apart. Our lives may be richer because of the deepening friendship, or we may feel the pain of a lost companion. In honor of National Friendship Day, today we’re going talking about when friendships change and how to trust God through seasons of relational transition. The memories between two friends become a sacred space. Within that space we found safety and belonging. Losing closeness can feel like grief. We grieve a version of life we once enjoyed and found the comfort our hearts needed. We often expect friendships to remain unchanged forever, forgetting that life isn’t static. It’s dynamic. We mature, heal, and find hope. Friendships also change. Sometimes for the better, like gold refined in fire. Other times, they go through the fire and don’t make it out. But not every drifting relationship is evidence of rejection. Sometimes friendships were meant for a particular season, assignment, or stage of growth. What feels like abandonment may actually be God lovingly reshaping your circle, pruning unhealthy dependence, or making room for new connections that better align with where he is taking you. Not all friendships are meant to look the same forever—and that doesn’t always mean something went wrong. Not every friend can meet our every need for the rest of our lives. That’s Jesus’ job and he does it better than any expectation we might place on a friend. Some people are meant to walk beside you forever. Others were meant to help carry you through a portion of the journey. Both are gifts and because of God’s constant faithfulness we can thank him for both. Scripture References: Proverbs 27:9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Recommended Resources: Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything By Jessica Van Roekel Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue   Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Rev. Jessica Van Roekel: Website / Instagram / Facebook Connect with Dr. Bengtson: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /   Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Co-Host: Jessica Van Roekel is a worship leader, speaker, and writer who believes that through Jesus, personal histories don’t need to define the present or determine the future. She inspires, encourages, and equips others to look at life through the lenses of hope, trust, and God’s transforming grace. Jessica lives in rural Iowa surrounded by wide open spaces which remind her of God’s expansive love. She loves fun earrings, good coffee, and connecting with others. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: Summer is supposed to be the season of sunshine, vacations, and smiling social media photos—but for many people, it’s when depression quietly deepens. If you’ve ever felt more anxious, lonely, or emotionally exhausted during the summer months, you are not imagining it—and you are not alone. In this episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, we’re talking about summertime sadness, why depression and mental health struggles can actually spike during summer, and what brain science, psychology, and Scripture reveal about this misunderstood phenomenon. Whether you’re battling low mood, disrupted sleep, increased comparison, or the pressure to “feel happy,” this conversation will help you understand what’s happening in your mind and body—and how God meets you with hope even in the brightest seasons. Today, we’re going to talk about Summertime Sadness: Why Depression Can Spike in Summer and How to Find Hope. Quotables from the episode: Summer often comes with an unspoken expectation: you should be happy right now. Longer days, family gatherings, beach trips, and backyard barbecues can amplify joy—or they can magnify grief, loneliness, exhaustion, and depression. If summer feels heavier instead of lighter, this episode is for you. I want to say this clearly from the start: Struggling in summer does not mean you are broken. It does not mean your faith is weak. And it does not mean you’re failing at gratitude. And when we don’t talk about it, shame fills the silence. And when sleep suffers, mood regulation suffers. That is not a moral failure. That is your nervous system responding to environmental changes. God addresses emotional suffering with compassion, not condemnation. Biblical faith does not deny pain—it brings pain into the presence of God. Now let’s talk about hope—not as a feeling, but as a practice. First, restore rhythm before chasing relief.   Recommended Resources:  Free Stress-Response Personality Assessment Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian  Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue   Social Media Links for Host: For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /   Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple   Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: Have you ever sat down to pray and felt like your words were hitting the ceiling? Opened your Bible and felt nothing stir in your heart? Or gone through your day knowing all the “right” spiritual things to do, yet feeling strangely distant from God? If so, let me say this clearly right from the start: you are not alone, and you are not failing God. Spiritual dryness is far more common than we talk about, especially among believers who genuinely love the Lord and want to walk closely with Him. And yet, when it happens, many of us quietly wonder, What’s wrong with me? Why do I feel so disconnected? On this episode of Your Hope Filled Perspective, Rev. Jessica Van Roekel and I are having an honest, hope-filled conversation about what to do when you feel spiritually dry or distant from God, and how to walk through those seasons without shame, panic, or self-condemnation.   Quotables from the episode: Let’s begin by naming something that often goes unspoken: spiritual dryness does not mean spiritual failure. Here’s something critical to understand: feelings are not the same as faith. God’s presence does not fluctuate based on our emotional experience. And that fear doesn’t come from theology. It comes from wiring. The human brain is designed to associate meaning with emotional feedback. When something once produced warmth, peace, or reassurance and suddenly doesn’t, the brain interprets that as loss, even if nothing has actually been taken away. This is why spiritual dryness doesn’t just feel neutral — it feels alarming. But here’s an important distinction: absence of emotional response is not absence of relationship. So, what you’re saying is that the dryness isn’t necessarily a spiritual message — it’s a nervous system signal. Often, yes. And when we misinterpret that signal spiritually, we add shame to exhaustion. This is where people start striving — more prayer, more discipline, more intensity — which ironically deepens the sense of distance. Because forced intimacy rarely restores connection. Sometimes God feels silent not because He’s absent, but because He’s inviting us into a deeper, quieter trust. There comes a point when faith matures beyond sensation. This doesn’t mean feelings are bad. It means feelings are no longer the foundation. Some of the deepest spiritual maturity is formed in seasons where God feels quiet. I challenge you instead of wishing away this dry season, to look at it as a gift. There comes a point when faith matures beyond sensation. This doesn’t mean feelings are bad. It means feelings are no longer the foundation. If God feels distant right now, resist the urge to diagnose yourself. Instead, consider this: What if this season isn’t about fixing your faith, but strengthening its foundation? Faith that endures silence is not weaker faith. It’s anchored faith! Scripture References: Psalm 42 “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, my God.” Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” Recommended Resources: Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything By Jessica Van Roekel Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue   Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Rev. Jessica Van Roekel: Website / Instagram / Facebook Connect with Dr. Bengtson: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /   Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Co-Host: Jessica Van Roekel is a worship leader, speaker, and writer who believes that through Jesus, personal histories don’t need to define the present or determine the future. She inspires, encourages, and equips others to look at life through the lenses of hope, trust, and God’s transforming grace. Jessica lives in rural Iowa surrounded by wide open spaces which remind her of God’s expansive love. She loves fun earrings, good coffee, and connecting with others. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.