Hope Prevails Study Guide

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails 1

Table of Contents Praise for Hope Prevails Study Guide ...... 2 A Prayer as You Begin ...... 3 Introduction ...... 4 When the Whole World is Laughing but You ...... 5 A Letter to My Depressed Self ...... 6 Chapter 1 – This Thing Called Depression ...... 7 Chapter 2 – You Are Not Alone ...... 11 Chapter 3 – The Underlying Causes of Depression ...... 15 Chapter 4 – Recognize You Have an Enemy ...... 21 Chapter 5 – Recover Your Joy ...... 26 Chapter 6 – Reclaim Your Peace ...... 31 Chapter 7 – Re-establish Your Identity ...... 37 Chapter 8 – Know Your Worth ...... 43 Chapter 9 – Remember Your Secure Destiny ...... 47 Chapter 10 – Be Cofidet That Nothig Sepaates You fo Gods Loe ...... 52 Chapter 11 – God Uses Your Pain ...... 58 Chapter 12 – The Way to Hope ...... 62 You Have a Gift to Give ...... 67 How to Help a Depressed Loved One ...... 69 Closing Prayer ...... 70 Biography ...... 71 Contact Information ...... 71

#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 2 In Praise of the Study Guide

Praise for Hope Prevails Study Guide

The Hope Prevails Study Guide allows readers to delve deeply into their own lives, examining areas that may have been hidden behind masks of rejection, fear, self-doubt, etc. The questions are thought-provoking and straight forward, yet sensitively written. Going through the questions and studying Scripture, they're able to discover many of the answers to the questions of their hearts. It’s alost like haig Mihelle herself sittig y your side! Peg jjj

Reading Hope Prevails gave me a better understanding of depression and how it can affet a perso’s etire eig – mind, body, and soul. I learned that depression affects us spiritually and that we must address these spiritual needs to find true healing. But it as’t util I orked through the study guide questions that I found my life was being changed and transformed. Though I have never been diagnosed with depression, I have faily eers ho hae. I ega to read the ook for the. But the study guide questions helped to reveal my own personal need for healing. I saw that I was not immune to believing many of the lies of the enemy that keep me from truly seeing myself as God sees me. I needed to do the work in the study guide to be set free from the lies that held me captive. And I truly believe that if you are willing to do the work, you, too, can be set free. Gina jjj

The study guide promoted an in-depth look at areas of my life that I had been in denial about. Answering the questions brought certain problem areas to the surface that were then healed. The study guide was most helpful. Diana

jjj

Answering the study guide questions while reading Hope Prevails really made me stop and think, and then take the action that Michelle is recommending. The truths in the ook ere’t goig to help e uless I applied hat I as learing, and the study guide really helped e to do that. Applyig God’s truth to the sutle lies e eliee really does give us hope and set us free. Even though I was already familiar with these truths, studyig the agai ith Mihelle’s getle guidae, from her perspective as both a neuropsychologist and a fellow sufferer who has walked out of that dark valley, brought them in to fresh focus—and brought me closer to my Good Father. Mary Lee

jjj

@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails A Prayer as You Begin 3

A Prayer as You Begin

Dear Heavenly Father, You know the heart and the needs of the one who has piked up Hope Preails and no holds the study guide in their hands. Even Jesus asked the lame man if he wanted to get well, in part because He knew that true healing often requires effort on our part. Father, it is NOT your will that any of your children suffer from depression. In fact, you say in your word that it is

your desire that we would be in health

and prosper even as our soul prospers.

So Father, as your precious child begins to do the work of reading this book and answering the questions in this study guide, I ask that you would illuminate lies that do not align with your truth, and that you would bring comfort and healing to the broken places, and that the bondage of depression would be broken so that joy could return in the morning. Because of and in the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.

#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 4 Introduction

Introduction

I attended more years of school than I want to count. But there is one thing that I learned: when I actually read the texts, studied the lectures and assigned reading, and did the work, I really learned the material so much better than when I just gave it a skimming over. The courses that I fully invested myself in are those that I remember the most today, decades later. Another thing I know to be true: there was a reason Jesus asked the lame man if he wanted to get well. He knew that 1) in order to get well, it would require some work on the part of the lame man, and 2) He knew that being well would be an adjustment for the man. The man would have to assimilate himself into society as a well-man and discard the label, habits, and coping mechanisms he had grown accustomed to all those years. He had a choice to make: did he want to be well badly enough to be willing to do the work? I see this issue in my office all the time. Patients come into my office, undergo an evaluation, then receive a diagnosis and prescription for treatment. Frequently, however, patients leave with prescription and treatment plan in hand then never follow the plan, only to return a year or two later in worse shape than when they originally ae i. Wh? Beause the eet illig to do the work. One can only assume they didt eall at to get ell, although the said the did he the fist alked i door. So the question I pose to you as you crack open Hope Preails: Isights Fro a Dotor’s Persoal Jourey Through Depressio is this: Do you want to get well? If your answer is yes, then I encourage you to do the work: pray and ask God to reveal to you what He has for you between the covers of Hope Preails. Read the book; listen to the playlists at the end of each chapter; read the prayers as if they were written just for you; take the tie to ase the uestios i the Your Rx setio at the ed of eah hapte; but also answer the uestios i this stud guide. Youll fid that these uestios go more in depth and help you pinpoint where you are and how to get to where you want to go. If ou didt. ou ouldt hae piked up Hope Preails in the first place! The reason I wrote Hope Preails was to share with you the comfort that God shared with me when I as i the alle of depessio ad eeded to ko that I ast aloe and there was a way out. God helped me through it. The Bible tells us that He is no espete of pesos, hih eas that He doest pla faoites. If He did that for me, He will do it for you as well. So lets stat this joue out of the alle togethe—oue ee thee log eough! Because of Him, Hope Prevails! Dr. Bengtson

@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails When the Whole World is Laughing but You 5

When the Whole World is Laughing but You

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (RSV)

Key Thoughts: No one is immune to pain and suffering. We have to understand what depression does to us spiritually and cooperate with God to experience the chains falling off. Depression affects us physically, emotionally, and spiritually, so unless we address the spiritual side of depression, healing will be suboptimal.

Question 1: If you are struggling with depression, what part of this section draws you in the most? What part would minister to you?

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Question 2: I talk about hope being the thing that got me through my period of depression, how without hope we have no reason to live. How would you define or describe hope?

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Songs to Add to Your Playlist Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace), Hillsog Woship, © 2014 by Hillsong Church T/A Hillsong Music Australia The Best Days of My Life, Jaso Ga, © 2014 by Centricity Music Walls, Cod Caes, © 2012 by Gateway Create Publishing You Invite Me In, Meredith Andrews, © 2008 by Word Records

#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 6 A Letter to My Depressed Self

A Letter to My Depressed Self

Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:4 (RSV)

Key Thoughts: You will not always feel this way—better days are ahead! Depression is not a punishment from God. Nothing you can do will make God love you more or love you less. God wants you to enjoy good health, body and soul.

Question 1: What were your impressions as you read the letter to my depressed self?

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Question 2: Was there one section that resonated to you more than anything else? Why?

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Songs to Add to Your Playlist Tell Your Heart to Beat Again, Danny Gokey, © 2014 by BMG Rights Management Soar, Meedith Ades, © 2016 by WordWorship/Word Music Publishing You Make Me Brave, Bethel Musi, © 2014 by Bethel Music

@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 1: This Thing Called Depression 7

Chapter 1 – This Thing Called Depression

I will rejoice and be glad for thy steadfast love, because thou hast seen my affliction, thou hast taken heed of my adversities. Psalm 31:7 (RSV)

Key Thoughts: Frequently, people dot eogize depessio fo hat it is. We often mask symptoms of depression with external behaviors used to cope with internal feelings. The spiitual aspet of depessio is the easo oe idiiduals aet effectively treated and/or experience a recurrence.

Question 1: Just like the quote by Clara Hughes, how often do/can we spot things like depression in others but not see the signs in ourselves and therefore not ask for help because we dot ko e eed help?

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Question 2: Just like my first question, how often are you reluctant to ask the hard questions because you dot at aoe to ko? O, do ou fid that ou dot at to adit the answer to even yourself? As you go through the pages of this book, God already knows your answers to even the uestios oue ee hesitat to ask, ad He logs to bring help, hope, and healing to those places that have previously brought you only shame.

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 8 Chapter 1: This Thing Called Depression

Question 3: I desie depessio like doig eept ou a see eeryone around you eathig. Ho ould ou desie depessio?

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Question 4: On the second page of Chapter 1, I sa that a epeiee depessio ut dot recognize it for what it is, and would be loath to admit it even if they did. Why do you think that is?

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Question 5: While the central topic of this book is about depression, as you will see when we get deeper into its depths, its really about the lies of the enemy of our soul. I talked about depression in my childhood home as eig a a of life and referring to my othes depessio as thats just the a she is. What other maladaptive styles become a way of life such that pehaps e dot ee ealize the fo hat the are?

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Question 6: Did it surprise you to read that at some point in their lives, about one out of four Americans will experience depression? Or that nearly twice as many women as men are estimated to be affected by a depressive disorder each year?

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 1: This Thing Called Depression 9

Question 7: Why do you think only 29% of all people with depression report contacting a mental health professional? What do you think are the greatest barriers to seeking help?

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Question 8: Put a hek et to eah spto oue epeieed fo oe tha to eeks…did this surprise you? Why or why not? Feeling sad, blue, down, or numb Irritability or agitation Difficulty concentrating Feeling worthless, helpless, and/or hopeless Feeling guilty Indecisiveness Decreased energy or motivation Decreased interest in previously enjoyed activities Decreased social interaction Crying Sleep disturbance Appetite disturbance Unintentional weight gain or loss Aches and pains that do not improve with treatment Excessive use of alcohol or other substances (including prescription medication) Thoughts of suicide

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 10 Chapter 1: This Thing Called Depression

Question 9: Of the Scriptures offered in Your Rx, which one ministered to you most?

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Your Rx Scriptures: I will rejoice and be glad for thy steadfast love, because thou hast seen my affliction, thou hast take heed of adesities. Psalm 31:7 (RSV) Whe the ighteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:17-18 (RSV) Behold, God is helpe; the Lod is the upholde of life. Psalm 54:4 (RSV)

Songs to Add to Your Playlist Hope In Front of Me, Danny Gokey, © 2014 by BMG Rights Management Lift Up Your Head, Meredith Andrews, © 2008 by Word Records The River, Meredith Andrews, © 2008 by Word Records Never Miss A Beat, Natalie Gat, © 2015 by Curb Records, Inc.

@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 2: You Are Not Alone 11

Chapter 2 – You Are Not Alone

For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the audat loe that I hae for you. 2 Corinthians 2:4 (RSV)

Key Thoughts: No one is immune to depression. You are not alone—many people struggle with depression, and most importantly, God is with you in this trial. Depression does not have to be a permanent part of your life.

Question 1: What was your favorite quote from the chapter?

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Question 2: The chapter starts off with a great proclamation: even Christians get depressed. Why do you think Christians are often the ones who most feel they must hide their pain and pretend that nothing is wrong?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 12 Chapter 2: You Are Not Alone

Question 3: Of the promises listed near the beginning of the chapter for those who suffer through the torrent of depression, which have you found comforting? Are there other Scriptures that you found comforting when you went through a period of depression or despair or grief? Blessed ae those ho ou, fo the shall e ofoted. Matthew 5:4 (RSV) Ma those ho so i teas eap ith shouts of jo! Psalm 126:5 (RSV) Blessed e the God ad Fathe of ou Lod Jesus Chist, the Fathe of ercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 (RSV)

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Question 4: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Chists suffeigs, that ou a also ejoie ad e glad when his glo is eealed. 1 Peter 4:12-13 (RSV) What do ou thik he eas he he sas you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed as it elates to ou fie tials?

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 2: You Are Not Alone 13

Question 5: Lets get eal. Hae ou ee gone through a painful trial and felt stung or burned by the Chistia platitudes o Bile eses offeed as the pat ase? Wh didt the help? Whats the diffeee etee those ad the ties he Siptue does ake a difference?

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Question 6: Hae ou ee epeieed hat I desied i this hapte: I afaid if I let myself cry I ight ee stop? This is a safe tie ad plae. This is a tie odaied just fo this. Its a tie set aside fo help and healing. You have to feel it to heal it. And healing your hurts will dry your tears.

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Question 7: I this hapte ee gie soe attetio to Jesus uestio Do ou at to get ell? What do ou thik a e the iggest hidance to people truly wanting to get well when they get to this point in the book? Or in their depression? Or in their life as a whole? Is there anything standing in your way?

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Question 8: From the Your Rx, when you took your shame to God in prayer and asked Him to ehage it fo his pefet pespetie of ou, hat did He eeal to ou that ou didt already know?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 14 Chapter 2: You Are Not Alone

Question 9: Had it ever occurred to you before that you are not your depression? Your shame? Your anxiety?

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Question 10: Of the Scriptures offered in Your Rx, which one ministered to you most?

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Your Rx Scriptures: Ma those ho so i teas eap ith shouts of jo! Psalm 126:5 (RSV)

“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 51:11 (RSV) May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy! Psalm 126:5 (RSV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 (RSV)

Songs to Add to Your Playlist Even This Will Be Made Beautiful, Jaso Ga, © 2014 by Centricity Music Love Will Have the Final Word, Jason Gray. © 2014 by Centricity Music Trust In You, Laue Daigle, © 2015 by Centricity Music Sovereign Over Us, Aao Kees, © 2011 by Kingsway Youe Not Aloe, Meedith Ades, © 2008 by Word Records

@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 3: The Underlying Causes of Depression 15

Chapter 3 – The Underlying Causes of Depression

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help. Psalms 42:5 (RSV)

Key Thoughts: Most people want to know what caused it, but sometimes a better question is What do e do aout it? While most are familiar with the chemical, genetic, secondary, and reactionary otiutos to depessio, e at igoe the spiitual oots. We often unknowingly give the enemy permission to influence our lives.

Question 1: What was your favorite quote from this chapter?

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Question 2: The hapte stats ith Psal : Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help (RSV). How do you praise God when you are depressed and praise or thanksgiving are two of the most difficult things to do?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 16 Chapter 3: The Underlying Causes of Depression

Question 3: I sa Soeties koig the eat ase to Why? may not be as important as answering What do we do about it? Do you agree with that? Why or why not?

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Question 4: Was it a e oept to ou that hile ou heial akeup a ipat ou ood, ou thoughts a ipat ou heist? What thoughts do ou hae aout this?

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Question 5: Was it a new concept to you that depression could be a secondary effect of a physiological process or medical condition?

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Question 6: The entire premise of Hope Preails is that depression is largely caused by a spiritual root. Is this a new concept to you, and if so, was that, or is that, difficult to accept?

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 3: The Underlying Causes of Depression 17

Question 7: Hosea 4:6a sas My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have ejeted koledge (RSV). That holds such responsibility to me. Did you have the same reaction?

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Question 8: The enemy would like to make you believe that you are the cause of your depression, ut You ae ot the piary cause of your depression and the thoughts that lead to your depression are not your thoughts. Ho does that ake ou feel?

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Question 9: In Chapter 3, I eplai that e ofte ukoigl gie the ee peissio to influence our lives. Can you identify any times when you have done so? What was the outcome? How did you become aware that you had done so?

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Question 10: Ist it ofotig to ko e hae the authoit ad the ailit to close the door and eliminate the influence of the enemy? Practically speaking, what does that look like to esist the deil so he ill flee?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 18 Chapter 3: The Underlying Causes of Depression

Question 11: I shared several potential contributors to depression in my own life to illustrate chemical, genetic, secondary, and reactionary contributors. Which, if any, of these contributors can you see operating in your own situation?

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Question 12: I shared how a childhood illness with resulting disfigurement and disability opened the door to the spirits of rejection, abandonment, fear, doubt, unbelief, and even a poverty mind-set in my life. Additionally, an unloving spirit planted itself in the core of my belief system making it difficult for me to full appeiate the Fathes unconditional and complete love for me, and impossible for me to fully love myself or love others fully. I also shared that I believed the lies of the spirit of perfectionism, self-hatred, self- rejection, self-condemnation, self-pity, self-bitterness, self-resentment, and unforgiveness. Can you identify the work of any of these at play in your own life? How have they negatively impacted you?

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Question 13: The longer I have been in the field of psychology, the more convinced I have become that one of the ways the enemy influences us the most is through the spirit of fear/worry/anxiety. This was certainly true in my own life. Have you ever given in to the spirit of fear, and if so, what impact has it had on your emotional well-being?

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 3: The Underlying Causes of Depression 19

Question 14: I edeao to eplai that ou feeligs ae ot eliale. Ou feeligs ae the outad aifestatio of the thoughts e eliee. Is this a e oept to ou? If so, how does it change your perception of your emotions? (If this is not a new concept to you, you learned this concept at some point—how has that impacted how you cope with your emotions?)

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Question 15: When I explained about how our feelings are the outward manifestation of the thoughts we believe, I gave examples of some of the thoughts that might lead to feelings of anxiety, anger, or depression. Did any of those thoughts sound familiar?

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Question 16: I was very honest in revealing that I was unaware of the Invisible war waged against me, as ell as sadl eig uaae of hat Gods tuth said aout e, hih as the e thing that made me an easy, defenseless target for the enemy. This is true of so many of my patients. Is it true of you too?

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Question 17: Fo the Your Rx eeise, did God eeal a lies of the ee that ou elieed that contribute to any degree of depression or anxiety or which detract from your ability to live life fully? What truth will you stand on instead?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 20 Chapter 3: The Underlying Causes of Depression

Your Rx Scriptures: Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. Psalm 42:5 (RSV) Fo I ko the plas I hae fo ou, sas the Lod, plas fo elfae ad ot fo eil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (RSV) Little hilde, ou ae of God, ad hae oeoe the; fo he ho is in you is greater tha he ho is i the old. 1 John 4:4 (RSV) No eapo that is fashioed agaist ou shall pospe, ad ou shall ofute ee tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindicatio fo e, sas the Lod. Isaiah 54:17 (RSV)

Songs to Add to Your Playlist King of The World, Natalie Grant, © 2015 by Curb Records, Inc. Press On, Selah, © 2001 by Curb Records, Inc. Come As You Are, Crowder, © 2014 by sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records

@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 4: Recognize You Have an Enemy 21

Chapter 4 – Recognize You Have an Enemy

The thief oes oly to steal ad kill ad destroy; I came that they may have life, ad hae it audatly. John 10:10 (RSV)

Key Thoughts: Depessio tus us ito soeoe e dot eogize. Jesus sees us not just as we are, but also as we can be. Depression makes us focus on feelings rather than the truth.

Question 1: What was your favorite part/quote from the chapter?

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Question 2: The chapter opens with a quote Roet Mois: We ill ee ahiee the leels of peace, joy, and effectiveness to which we are called if we are being influenced by evil in etai opatets of ou lies. Do ou agee ith this stateent? Why or why not?

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Question 3: If you yourself have gone through depression, or you have had a friend or loved one ho has suffeed, ho hae ou epeieed depessio tuig ou ito soeoe ou dot eogize?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 22 Chapter 4: Recognize You Have an Enemy

Question 4: I relayed how I equated the onset of post-partum depression with me being a personal failure. Has that ever happened to you, where you perhaps equated your suboptimal emotional functioning with negative terms?

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Question 5: I have to admit, I have found comfort in the Psalms, but not in the way most people do. I hae ee ofoted to see that the e a God alled A a afte Gods heat is one who went in and out and back into the pit of despair of depression. Yet, he also offered some of the greatest words of encouragement to those who are in the valley. How do you feel when you read his words of lament such as Psalm 109:22 (RSV) For I am poor and needy, and my heart is stricken within me?

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Question 6: How does it make you feel to think that not only does Jesus look past the masks we put o fo the est of the old, ut past the guilt, shae, ad despai e feel? He doest see ou faults, o those thigs e dot like i ouseles. How do you feel when you realize he sees a wounded child in need of shelter, comfort, and healing?

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 4: Recognize You Have an Enemy 23

Question 7: I shared that I believed the lie that I was alone in my suffering and that there was something wrong with me. Not only that, but I feared there was something inherently flawed with me that made me suffer with depression and this led to shame, leaving me feeling alone. Have you ever felt this way, not necessarily even with respect to depression, but perhaps some other area of your life?

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Question 8: Whe ou ead Isaiah : When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” (RSV), does it bring you angst to know you WILL go through these times, or does it bring you more comfort to ko the ot take ou do ad that God ill e ith ou?

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Question 9: I ultimately came to the conclusion that we have to choose to believe God and trust in his promises rather than our feelings. How do we do that when our feelings/emotions are so paramount?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 24 Chapter 4: Recognize You Have an Enemy

Question 10: For decades I believed that feelings were neither right nor wrong, they just were. But I was deceived because the enemy uses our feelings against us, as if they are truth. Have you ever been deceived by your feelings? If so, what was the outcome? What did you learn from it?

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Question 11: I leaed that God poises He ot ee leae us, ut He ot foe us to sta i His presence either. Have you ever found yourself, like Martha, being so busy that you missed out on the comfort of being still in His presence?

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Question 12: Which one of the exercises in the Your Rx did you find most helpful? Most difficult? Why?

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Your Rx Scriptures: He heals the okeheated ad adages thei ouds. Psalm 147:3 (RSV) When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall ot osue ou. Isaiah 43:2 (RSV) The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the ea of the Lods fao, ad the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who

@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 4: Recognize You Have an Enemy 25 mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be gloified. Isaiah 61:1-3 (RSV) Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed ou a pophet to the atios. Jeremiah 1:5 (RSV) The thief oes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it audatl. John 10:10 (RSV)

Songs to Add to Your Playlist I Am Not Alone, Kai Joe, © 2014 by Sparrow Records Our God Reigns Here, Joh Walle, © 20ll by City of Peace Media, Inc. Thy Will, Hillary Scott, © 2016 by HST Entertainment LLC/EMI Records Nashville Enough, Natalie Grant, © 2015 by Curb Records, Inc. From the Inside Out, Hillsog Uited, © 2010 by Hillsong Church T/A Hillsong Music Australia

#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 26 Chapter 5: Recover Your Joy

Chapter 5 – Recover Your Joy

May those ho so i tears reap ith shouts of joy! Psalm 126:5 (RSV)

Key Thoughts: Soeties e hae to oo othes hope. Desperation makes us willing—lets ake sue its fo the ight thig. A fast track to losing our joy is focusing on ourselves instead of on God or others.

Question 1: What was your favorite part/quote from the chapter?

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Question 2: The hapte stats off ith A Voskaps uote Real jo is ot foud i haig the best of everthig, ut i tustig that God is akig the est of eethig. Ho would YOU describe joy?

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Question 3: Oe of the ees pia tatis as it elates to depessio is to steal ou jo, ad this diminishes our enthusiasm for all things. But in doing so, he takes from us that which attracts others to us and thus to God. People are attracted to those who are filled with joy, so in stealing our joy, we are less attractive to others. Yet Gods od COMMANDS us to consider it an opportunity for joy when troubles come. How do you reconcile that?

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 5: Recover Your Joy 27

Question 4: Whe oue i the idst of a diffiult tial, depessio o otheise, it a e had to e glad that ou ae i the e thick of hat Chist epeieed. I clung to the hope that ou ill hae ee oe jo he Chist etus i glo. How do we hold on to gladness and hope in the midst of depression when the joy that is promised in this verse may not come until Christ returns?

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Question 5: When I went through a life-theateig illess, I had to oo othe peoples hope because it felt like mine had run dry. Have you ever experienced a spiritual dry season in your life? How did you come out of it?

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Question 6: I learned it was difficult to be depressed and truly grateful at the same time. Would you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

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Question 7: Have you, like I did, ever had a difficult time having an accurate perspective of God? Or had difficulty accurately understanding how He views you? How did you deal with it?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 28 Chapter 5: Recover Your Joy

Question 8: Has desperation ever made you willing to do something? To learn something? To listen to God? To obey God? Tell us how desperation has had a positive impact on your life.

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Question 9: I spoke about consciously praising God and determining to thank him in advance for his answers as part of my joy-producing perspective rather than a joy-defeating perspective. What other joy-producing and joy-defeating qualities and behaviors can you identify from your own experience?

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Question 10: Many have the notion that we can just manufacture joy, but Scripture suggests that it is a gift from God. I found that to take much of the pressure off of me. YET, it also indicated that some of the responsibility does lie with us because it says we must trust God, recover ourselves, recognize we have cooperated with the enemy, agreed with his lies, epet to God ad if eessa to othes, eoue ad ejet the ees lies, ad eeie Gods loe, fogieess, peae, ad jo. Thats a lot of ok. What pat of that equation do you find the hardest?

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 5: Recover Your Joy 29

Question 11: Whe e desie to eoe ou jo, ou fist lie of defese ust e to itetioall sped tie i Gods pesee, just as Daid delaed i the Psals. Yet so ofte, thats the last thig people ae ilied to do he the ae depessed. The dot at to e with anyone—including God. Yet if it is tue that healig ad estoatio oe he e get so lose ad pesoal ith Jesus that o oe a oe etee us, ho can you or do you combat the tendency to withdraw?

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Question 12: Scripture suggests that we have to first choose to be glad and rejoice, and then we will be happy and joyful. At first glance, that seems counter-intuitive. How do you reconcile that?

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Question 13: What ae ou thoughts aout the stateet that patiee i ties of adesit is ke to epeieig jo?

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Question 14: Scripture is also very clear about the role of prayer in maintaining our joy. Have you ever efoe osideed the adoitio to ask ad ou ill eeie, that your joy may be full as it elates to eeiig o aitaiig ou jo?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 30 Chapter 5: Recover Your Joy

Question 15: Its ee said that Copaiso is the thief of jo. In our current culture, comparison is rampant. How can we reconcile comparison with gratitude? And how do they impact our emotional functioning?

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Question 16: Proverbs 23:7 tells us that we are what we think in our hearts. How does that impact your motivation to guard both your heart and your thought life?

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Your Rx Scriptures: Hitheto ou hae asked othig i ae; ask, and you will receive, that your joy a e full. John 16:24 (RSV) Rejoie i ou hope, e patiet i tiulatio, e ostat i pae. Romans 12:12 (RSV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Hol Spiit ou a aoud i hope. Romans 15:13 (RSV) Da ea to God ad he ill da ea to ou. James 4:8 a (RSV)

Songs to Add to Your Playlist O Praise Him (All This For A King), Daid Code Bad, © 2003 Sparrow Records/sixstepsrecords Ever Be, Bethel Music & Kalley Heiligenthal, © 2015 by Bethel Music Where Joy and Sorrow Meet, Avalon, © 2006 by Sparrow Records

@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 6: Reclaim Your Peace 31

Chapter 6 – Reclaim Your Peace

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (RSV)

Key Thoughts: We lose our peace by focusing on ourselves and our problems rather than on God, the solver of our problems. Wo is elieig the ees lies. Anxiety is the absence of peace.

Question 1: What was your favorite part/quote from the chapter?

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Question 2: How would you characterize peace?

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Question 3: Just like we discussed that joy is a gift from God in Chapter 5, Chapter 6 discusses that Jesus gave us peace as a gift. Yet the key is that in him we can have peace, not on our own. In what ways do you find yourself sacrificing your peace?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 32 Chapter 6: Reclaim Your Peace

Question 4: An anxious mind is a mind not at peace. Anxiety always stems from a feeling of being out of control. But if we surrender to God, letting him be in control, we can remain in perfect peace. How do you surrender control to God?

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Question 5: Whe I o, I elieig the ees lies, takig my eyes off God, and focusing on myself and my circumstances. Wh do ou thik its so eas to worry, and sometimes so hard to trust God?

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Question 6: Fear is a misappropriation of our attentional resources that robs us of peace. We focus on our own abilities rather than on God. In order to retain or reclaim your peace, what can you do to keep your focus on the Solver of your problems rather than on your circumstances?

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Question 7: Why, oh h ould e at to opae ou defiieies to othes stegths, ou lak to othes plet, ad ou pai to othes jo? Espeiall he the fous o the egatie only serves to obstruct our view and kill our peace? It seems like if we thought about it ee iefl that e ould ealize it doest see us e ell.

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 6: Reclaim Your Peace 33

Question 8: I mentioned that we must deliberately choose a right attitude. Do you ever struggle with this? How do you do this when your feelings are such powerful dictators?

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Question 9: Philippians 4:8 is a well-known verse about thinking on the positive, but it also means we are to think on the positive about ourselves. How much more difficult is it for you to apply this verse to yourself? Why?

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Question 10: In what ways does the enemy use shame to interfere in your life and kill your peace?

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Question 11: We lose ou peae he e hide ou okeess. Has there ever been a time when shame over something in your life made you keep something hidden in the dark, but when it finally came out into the light you experienced relief?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 34 Chapter 6: Reclaim Your Peace

Question 12: The stigma that surrounds mental health issues like depression saddens me. Does it comfort you in any way to know that some of the Biblical greats also struggled?

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Question 13: Can you look back and see a time when you allowed your independence, rather than your dependence on God, to kill your peace?

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Question 14: Bitterness and unforgiveness in our hearts prevents us from being at peace. Hebrews 12:15 goes so far as to say it causes trouble and defiles many. If e desie Gods peae, we must live peaceably with others by forgiving others. Have you ever experienced a return or an infilling of peace after extending forgiveness to someone?

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Question 15: When we talk about forgiveness, sometimes we forget that the person we sometimes most need to forgive is ourselves. Prayerfully search your heart. Is there anything you need to forgive yourself for? You ko God has alead fogie ou, so dot let the ee hold ou hostage in unforgiveness toward yourself any longer!

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 6: Reclaim Your Peace 35

Question 16: In the valley of depression, the spirit of self-pity often tempts us to feel like we are void of choices and victim of the circumstances and reactions of those around us. But the truth is that Scripture clearly says as a man thinks in his heart so is he Proverbs 23:7a (KJV), ad we destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ 2 Corinthians 10:5 (RSV). Clearly if God tells us to take every thought captive, He will give us the ability to do so. Have you ever falle pe to the teptatio to eliee ou didt hae a hoie i ho to espod i a situation? How does the truth of these two Scriptures change that perception?

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Question 17: I finally came to the place where I believed my Savior died so I could have better than a life of depression, and the fullest possible joy. Do you believe that for yourself?

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Your Rx Scriptures: Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee. Isaiah 26:3 (RSV) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:6 (RSV) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 (RSV) I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tiulatio; ut e of good hee, I hae oeoe the old. John 16:33 (RSV) Finally, brethren, farewell. Mend your ways, heed my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11 (RSV)

#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 36 Chapter 6: Reclaim Your Peace

Songs to Add to Your Playlist While I Waitig, Joh Walle, © 2009 by Reunion Records You Are I Am, MercyMe, (C) 2012 by Fair Trade/Columbia Breathe, Rebecca St. James, © 2002 by ForeFront Records Forever, Kai Joe, © 2014 by Sparrow Records We Will Not Be Shaken, Bethel Music, © 2015 by Bethel Music

@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 7: Re-establish Your Identity 37

Chapter 7 – Re-establish Your Identity

Little children, you are of God, and have overcome them; for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (RSV)

Key Thoughts: Its the ee ho poits out and magnifies all our faults. When God made us, he declared it was good. God began a good work in us and He will be faithful to finish it.

Question 1: What was your favorite part/quote from the chapter?

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Question 2: What are your first thoughts when you read the Scripture, Little children, you are of God, and have overcome them; for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world Joh : RSV)?

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Question 3: How would your day-in and day-out life be different, how would your relationships be different, how would your personality be different if you did as Brennan Manning suggested ad ou defied ouself adiall as oe eloed God ad ee othe identity was just an illusion?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 38 Chapter 7: Re-establish Your Identity

Question 4: I state that if e do ot eai igilat aout idetifig hih oies e liste to ad hence believe, we will unconsciously exchange our beliefs about our identity for oiig outefeits. What oiig outefeits hae ou elieed i the past?

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Question 5: Have you ever fallen prey to comparison? Where or how does it affect you the most? On the contrary, have you ever thought about the fact that God gave us the ultimate compliment when he created us in His image? Or when he looked at us, his masterpiece, ad delaed us good?

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Question 6: Hae ou ee ee aïe to ou ipefetios util the ee poited the out to you in full-screen high definition?

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Question 7: So often we allow our identity to be shaped by the opinions of others, or the blessings or curses spoken over us, rather than the truth of what God says. How has your identity been adversely impacted by listening to the influence of anyone other than God?

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 7: Re-establish Your Identity 39

Question 8: The enemy first likes to point out our faults and all we are not, but he then likes to persuade us to hide, to shrink back, and to avoid stepping up and stepping out to be all God created us to be by getting us to focus our attention on our faults, on our lack, rather than on who God is and who He says we are. How have you found this to be true in your own life?

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Question 9: This chapter refers to several Scriptures which equate our identity with being His (Song of Solomon 6:3, Ephesians 1:6), yet as it points out, the problem comes when we are more apt to believe what others say and then we say those same things about ourselves. When have you fallen prey to believing what others have said about you instead of what God has said?

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Question 10: Hae ou ee gie up ou deas o the logigs of ou heat eause of othes opinions or lies from the enemy?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 40 Chapter 7: Re-establish Your Identity

Question 11: In Chapter 7, I share the revelation that I learned through a life-threatening illness that God ist lookig fo pefetio o ee podutiit. Have you ever fallen prey to the lie that you had to do more or do more perfectly in order for God to love you? How did you break free from that lie (or have you)?

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Question 12: Hae ou ee stuggled to eeie Gods fogieess eause the ee oied ou that your flaws were too big?

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Question 13: In the chapter, I talk about self-hatred as one of the most problematic issues in terms of embracing our identity in Christ. That might seem a little harsh, but if you think about it, we cannot agree with two kingdoms at once. If we do not agree with what God says about us (and He LOVES us completely), then we can quickly fall into self-hatred when the enemy offers up our faults for inspection and we agree with him, especially when he tempts us to compare ourselves to others. What have you decided you are less of when you compare yourself to others?

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Question 14: At the end of the chapter is a list of just some of the things God says about you. Were any of them new to you? Which one touched you the most and why?

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 7: Re-establish Your Identity 41

Your Rx Scriptures: I a eloeds ad eloed is ie; he pastues his flok aog the lilies. Song of Solomon 6:3 (RSV) He as i the egiig ith God. John 1:2 (RSV) You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15:16 (RSV) For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When e , Abba! Father! Romans 8:14-15 (RSV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (RSV) And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba! Father! So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir. Galatians 4:6-7 (RSV) He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. Ephesians 1:5 (RSV) There are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree. I John 5:8 (RSV) …and the kig ill desie ou eaut… Psalm 45:11 (RSV) I praise thee, for thou art fearful and wonderful. Wonderful are thy works! Thou koest e ight ell. Psalm 139:14 (RSV) The Lord appeared to him from afar. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Jeremiah 31:3 (RSV) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37(RSV) Fo e ae Gods astepiee. He has eated us ae i Chist Jesus, so e a do the good thigs he plaed fo us log ago. Ephesians 2:10 (RSV)

#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 42 Chapter 7: Re-establish Your Identity

Songs to Add to Your Playlist Unusual, Faesa Battistelli, © 2014 by Word Entertainment LLC Dear Younger Me, MeMe, © 2014 by Fair Trade/Columbia Good Good Father, Chis Toli, © 2015 by sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records Flawless, MeMe, © 2014 by Fair Trade/Columbia You Never Let Go, Matt Reda, © 2006 by sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records

@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 8: Know Your Worth 43

Chapter 8 – Know Your Worth

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who fored you, O Israel: Fear ot, for I hae redeeed you; I hae alled you y ae, you are ie. Isaiah 43:1 (RSV)

Key Thoughts: We are highly valued. God calls us His—we are sons and daughters of the most high God. When we focus on how much God loves us and the cost he endured to redeem us, then we can appreciate how God sees us.

Question 1: What was your favorite part/quote from the chapter?

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Question 2: The hapte stats ith a uote Bee Bo: What e know matters but who we ae attes oe. It also stats ith a ese estalishig ho e ae: But ow, this is what the Lod sas… Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you ae ie Isaiah 43:1b (RSV). What does that do for your sense of self-worth?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 44 Chapter 8: Know Your Worth

Question 3: The teptatio i todas soiet is to euate ou oth ith eteal fatos, o to e influenced by the words, attitudes, or actions of others. Were you ever the recipient of aothes words that either positively or negatively shaped what you believed to be true aout ouself? Ho did ou, if at all, eoile it ith hat Gods od said aout ou?

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Question 4: The ol oe ho has a authoit to speak aout ou oth is Jesus. Hae ou ee considered just how valuable you are because of the high price paid for you with the cost of Christs death on the cross for you?

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Question 5: We have a very real enemy, and our fear of him only enhances his power. But every fear is based on a lie. Christ exchanged our sin and shame for his perfection, our death for his life, and our bondage for his freedom. What keeps you from living in that freedom and kicking the enemy to the curb?

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 8: Know Your Worth 45

Question 6: In a depressed state, one of the last things we might feel is treasured, valued, or aepted. Thats he e ust ake the osious hoie to eliee the tuth of Gods word over our feelings. God says that we are accepted in the beloved, tattooed in the palm of his hands, a crown of splendor in His hand, and that you have stolen His heart. What makes you forget or doubt your worth the most? Consider placing a dot in the center of your palm with a pe ee da fo a eek…ee time you see it, let it be a visual reminder that you are so worthy that Christ took nails in His palm for you.

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Question 7: A eo a does othig to ea its paets love—all s/he has to do is receive it. So h the do e so easil get aught up i tig to ea Gods loe o at the e least, struggle to receive it as He freely gives it?

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Question 8: Like the tattered and blemished $100 bill in the illustration in the chapter, do you ever fid ouself feelig less aeptale eause of the leishes life has ought ou way? Thats he e ust hold o to Geesis :a As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good... (RSV).

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 46 Chapter 8: Know Your Worth

Your Rx Scriptures: But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fea ot, fo I hae edeeed ou; I have called you by name, you are mine. Isaiah 43:1 (RSV) Behold, I have graven you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. Isaiah 49:16 (RSV) So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 (RSV) So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir. Galatians 4:7 (RSV)

Songs to Add to Your Playlist All I Need, Gateway Worship, © 2010 by Integrity/Columbia I Belong to You, Jesus Culture, © 2014 by Jesus Culture No Longer Slaves, Bethel Musi, © 2015 by Bethel Music I Dot Ko Ho, Jason Gray, © 2014 by Centricity Music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKyY8zfjBMQ) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OymuXd-r4A)

@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 9: Remember Your Secure Destiny 47

Chapter 9 – Remember Your Secure Destiny

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is ale to sath the out of the Father’s had. John 10:29 (RSV)

Key Thoughts: Your past does not predict your future—God does. We can trust God despite our circumstances. Beause of Chists fiished ok o the oss, ou desti is seued. God accepts us despite our imperfection.

Question 1: What was your favorite part/quote from the chapter?

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Question 2: Soiet ofte eadil us ito the ees lie that ou past pedits ou futue. But the tuth is that God deteies ou futue ad His od delaes no one is able to snatch the out of the Fathes had John 10:29 (RSV). Whats ou eatio to that? Ho does that belief become apparent in your life?"

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Question 3: Have you ever had a temper tantrum with God and been so vulnerable to tell him of your anger and hurt? How did He respond? What did you learn in that exchange?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 48 Chapter 9: Remember Your Secure Destiny

Question 4: I shared several spiritual influences that worked together to keep me firmly entrenched i depessios alle: an unloving spirit, self-pity, self-doubt, self-accusation, self- rejection, fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of abandonment, drivenness, and perfectionism. Can you see any of these at work in your own life? How have they served you?

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Question 5: Much of my life was spet uosiousl stiig to e good eough. But the tuth is, eause of Chists saifie, I a delaed ENOUGH. Do ou ee fid ouself stiig to e a good eough paet? Spouse? Fied? Chuh ee? Volutee? Employee? Can you look in the mirror today and remind yourself that because of Christ you ARE enough?!

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Question 6: I the alle of ou tials its had to see past ou pai to the joful future God has for us, o to eliee that God ot leae us in the painful valley. But in Isaiah 61, God promises that our destiny includes beauty, joy, blessing, and praise. What keeps you from believing those promises for your destiny?

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 9: Remember Your Secure Destiny 49

Question 7: When I was at my weakest, physically and emotionally, I was tempted to admit defeat. Determining to win the war against the enemy of my soul took WORK and there were times that I wondered if the fight was worth the effort (and he counted on that!). Have you ever been there? What kept you going? For me, I can describe it as nothing short of Gods faithfuless.

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Question 8: One way the enemy attacks us is by getting us to worry about our future, ours or our hildes—something none of us can control. Do ou ee fall pe to the ees temptation to worry about your future? How do you respond? How well does that serve you?

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Question 9: Have you ever thought about the fact that both faith and fear carry equal weight and both demand our focus, yet you get to choose which will win out?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 50 Chapter 9: Remember Your Secure Destiny

Question 10: Sometimes fear traps ae so sutle e dot ee eogize the fo hat the ae ad just accept them and ride the wave. Unfortunately, fear and worry and anxiety often stat sall, ut if e dot deal ith the appopiatel, the uild ad eoe alost isuoutale. Ie leaed that fo e he I thik What if…? I steppig ito a fear/anxiety trap set for me by the enemy of my soul. What are some of the traps the enemy sets for you that take you into fear or anxiety?

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Question 11: Every day, every hour, every minute the enemy whispers thoughts into our mind hoping we will come into agreement with his lies. But God gives us His truth and the prompting of His Hol Spiit to help us ouse-oet like eaple at the g i the hapte. How well do you do with course-correcting the negative internal dialogue in your mind about yourself or others? How might you do this differently?

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 9: Remember Your Secure Destiny 51

Your Rx Scriptures: The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (RSV) For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:40 (RSV) My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch the out of the Fathes had. John 10:29 (RSV) Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2 (RSV) We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (RSV) So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 16-18 (RSV)

#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 52 Chapte : Be Cofidet That Nothig Sepaates You fo Gods Loe

Chapter 10 – Be Confident That Nothing Separates You from God’s Love

And that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19 (RSV)

Key Thoughts: We may not feel it, but God is always with us. Gods loe doest deped o us. Gods ol euieet is that e elieve.

Question 1: What was your favorite part/quote from the chapter?

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Question 2: Do ou ee ea a ask ot shoig the eal ou out of fea that people ouldt loe or accept you if they knew the real you and all your faults and mistakes? Can I be real vulnerable just for a moment and say that this resurfaced for me the closer we got to the launching of this book, with many of my faults, quirks, and mistakes printed on the pages between the covers! So you are not alone if your answer to this uestio as Yes!

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapte : Be Cofidet That Nothig Sepaates You fo Gods Loe 53

Question 3: The enemy wants to convince us that because we FEEL alone, we ARE alone. In depessios alle, e ted to fous iad o ouseles ad ho e feel, athe tha fous o othes ad God, hih allos the ees oie to get loude. Whe hae ou allowed your feelings to overrule the tuth aout Gods pesee ith ou ad loe fo you?

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Question 4: In the chapter I shared about how sometimes in the difficult times I could become very independent in my tendency to try to take care of myself rather than fully depend on God. Have you ever done this and if so, what result did it have?

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Question 5: As you look back, have you ever sacrificed moments of joy because you were too busy to recognize them for what they were? What price do we pay when we do so?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 54 Chapte : Be Cofidet That Nothig Sepaates You fo Gods Loe

Question 6: God ministered to me through Isaiah 30: 20- And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself any more, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saig, This is the a, alk i it, when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left RSV. When have you experienced God teaching you through adversity? Or guiding you back to the right path?

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Question 7: Have you ever stayed busy to avoid dealing with your pain or shield yourself from hurt? O to shield ouself fo futue hut? Its eall just a a of tig to sta i otol rather than surrendering our control to Him. Will you let Him in to heal the pain now?

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Question 8: Have you been in a place so desperate that like me, you felt like the pain was too much ad ou didt ko if ou ould hold o? I ould ot tust o stegth ut had to depend on His. If you are reading this, you DID survive. How did God meet you and your need?

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapte : Be Cofidet That Nothig Sepaates You fo Gods Loe 55

Question 9: So a stuggle ith at least fleetig thoughts of eeoe ould just e ette off if I ast hee o oe seious suiidal ideatio. Mae oue ee had suh etee thoughts, but has the enemy ever tried to convince you that you were in some way a istake, o ot essetial to ou fails life o to Gods kigdo? Whats uial to eee that ALL of these thoughts ae ot ou thoughts—they are lies from the enemy!

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Question 10: I ou ost diffiult ties, e all log to ko that e ae ot aloe. I thik thats pat of the reason that God gave Eve to Adam. How has God met that need for you during your difficult seasons?

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Question 11: Has the ee ee tepted ou to ope ith lifes stessos i a uhealth a? Ho did God show you that your coping style did not align with His truth?

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Question 12: Have you ever come face to face ith the tuth that Thee oes a poit he doig, achieving, and performing is no longer productive and is completely contrary to our heats desie fo peae?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 56 Chapte : Be Cofidet That Nothig Sepaates You fo Gods Loe

Question 13: Has the enemy ever tempted you to equate your worth with your accomplishments? Or to equate Gods loe fo ou ith your accomplishments? How has this negatively ipated ou he ou eet ale to eet ou goals o aoplish as ou desied?

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Your Rx Scriptures: Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this lad; fo I ill ot leae ou util I hae doe that of hih I hae spoke to ou. Genesis 28:15 (RSV) No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Joshua 1:5 (RSV) O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:1 (RSV) For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all eatio, ill e ale to sepaate us fo the loe of God i Chist Jesus ou Lod. Romans 8:38-39 (RSV)

@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapte : Be Cofidet That Nothig Sepaates You fo Gods Loe 57

Songs to Add to Your Playlist Be Lifted Higher, Gatea Woship, © 2012 by Gateway Create Holy Spirit, Jesus Cultue, © 2012 by Jesus Culture Forgiven Forever, Mak Hais, © 2011 by Stylos Records Beautiful One, Jee Cap, © 2004 Brandon Ebel Company 139, Gatea Woship, © 2012 by Gateway Create Gods Not Dead, Like a Lio, Nesos, © 2011 by Inpop Records Gods Geat Dae Floo, Chis Toli, © 2013 by sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Reccords Amazed, Jaed Adeso, © 2006 by Integrity/Columbia Be Lifted Higher, Thoas Mille, © 2012 by Gateway Create Publishing One True God, Mak Hais, © 2007 by Ino/Columbia Multiplied, Need To Beathe, © 2014 by Atlantic Recording Corporation Resource: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a7Z4Wg2bNo

#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 58 Chapter 11: God Uses Your Pain

Chapter 11 – God Uses Your Pain

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:18-19a (RSV)

Key Thoughts: God doest aste ou pai. After He brings us through the valley of depression, God will do a new thing in our lives and it will bless both us and others. Depessio ot leae ou uhaged.

Question 1: What was your favorite part/quote from the chapter?

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Question 2: The hapte stats off ith a uote Stee Duli: Geat faith oes fo geat itoies ad geat itoies oe fo geat attles. Whe I as i the depth of despair, I just wated to ko soethig good ould oe out of it; that it ouldt e for nothing. Have you ever been in such a difficult place that you found yourself thinking that if you just knew something good would come out of it, it would be worth it, or you could make it?

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 11: God Uses Your Pain 59

Question 3: Romans 12:1- eouages us Dot eoe so ell adjusted to ou ultue that ou fit ito it ithout ee thikig… Ho ofte do ou thik e t to fit i eause e wear a mask rather than letting others see our faults and our pain? What would it take fo this to hage so that e ould heed Pauls adoitio?

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Question 4: God promises to give us beauty for ashes, joy for our despair. But we can forfeit those blessings if we run from Him and His work in us rather than trusting Him to bring us through. Have you ever forfeited such blessings because of running from God and His work in you in the painful times in your life?

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Question 5: God ee potets us fo that hih he ill use to pefet us. Hae ou goe through difficult experiences that you would have preferred to have been rescued from, but God used them instead to better you? In what ways are you thankful for them now?

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Question 6: Has God ee gie ou a oppotuit to elate to aothe pesos suffeig that ou ouldt hae ee ale to if it had ot ee fo ou o epeiees?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 60 Chapter 11: God Uses Your Pain

Question 7: Wee ee disussig all alog aout ho ee i a a agaist the ee of ou soul. The very one who seeks to steal our joy, kill our peace, and destroy our identity. But the Bible promises that what the enemy intends for our harm, God will use for our good. God has alloed e to iiste to othes usig sto so that the ko the aet aloe ad that soeoe udestads. Dot ou ko that this akes the ee ad?! How have you seen God use something for good in your own life that the enemy intended to harm you?

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Question 8: In this chapter I discuss how if we want God to do something new in our life, we have to fist stop ageeig ith the lies of the ee ad osiousl hoose to eliee Gods truth. Is there an area in your life that you want God to do something new? What do ou eed to stop ageeig ith the ee o, ad istead agee ith Gods tuth about?

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Question 9: The Bible tells us to take EVERY thought captive. We have between 50-75,000 thoughts daily. How many of those thoughts do you think you are consciously taking captive? Do you think there is room for improvement?

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 11: God Uses Your Pain 61

Your Rx Scriptures: Reee ot the foe thigs, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:18-19a (RSV) A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 (RSV) Rejoie ith those ho ejoie, eep ith those ho eep. Romans 12:15 (RSV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (RSV) We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (RSV)

Songs to Add to Your Playlist Set The World On Fire, Britt Nicole, © 2007 by Sparrow Records Even When It Hurts, Hillsog, © 2015 by Hillsong Church T/A Hillsong Music Australia Clean, Natalie Gat, © 2015 by Curb Records, Inc. Oceans (Where Feet May Fail), Hillsog Uited, © 2013 by Hillsong Church T/A Hillsong Music Australia

#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 62 Chapter 12: The Way to Hope

Chapter 12 – The Way to Hope

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in health; I know that it is well with your soul. 3 John 1:2 (RSV)

Key Thoughts: We must watch our thoughts and words. Taking care of our temple is essential. It is also crucial to care for the spirit.

Question 1: What was your favorite part/quote from the chapter?

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Question 2: Wh do ou thik Jesus asked the lae a, Do ou at to get ell?

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Question 3: If He asked you the same question, what do you think it would entail, and how would you answer?

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 12: The Way to Hope 63

Question 4: One of the most important ways to treat depression is to watch your thoughts and words. Scripture says it is the thigs that oe out of a pesos outh that defile the. And our emotions are the outward manifestation of the thoughts and beliefs we have. In what area of your life do you struggle most with your thoughts and words?

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Question 5: Therapy is offered as one treatment modality for depression. What is the advantage of therapy over sharing your struggles with a trusted friend?

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Question 6: Why do you think there is so much stigma attached to taking medication for depression or anxiety when there is a lack of stigma associated with taking medication for allergies or high blood pressure?

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Question 7: With respect to the areas mentioned for taking care of your temple (rest, nutrition, exercise, and socialization), which area do you struggle with the most and why? In which area will you commit to making an immediate improvement?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 64 Chapter 12: The Way to Hope

Question 8: The woman with the issue of blood was a perfect example of the importance of pioitizig eig i Gods pesee. I hat as do ou fid ouself osiousl o uosiousl saifiig tie i Gods pesee ad hat suseuet ipat does it have on your life?

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Question 9: Siptue sas that Gods od has the poe to heal, so it is uial that e ae anchored in His word. The Bible says that faith comes by hearing, so when we recite His word out loud, we increase our own faith. We also give God freedom to work in our lives by agreeing with what He has already declared to be true. How does the enemy distract you from time in the Word? In what way can you improve the degree to which you intentionally anchor yourself in His word?

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Question 10: Jesus eouaged us to pa so that ou jo a e full ad epeatedl Siptue encourages us to pray about everything. Yet often, when we most need to pray, we least feel like it, least of all surrendering our needs, wants and ways of doing things to His perfect plan. Compare a time in your life when you were struggling and you stayed steadfast i ou paes to a tie ou didt. What diffeee did it ake? What impacted your willingness to stay consistent in your prayer life or not?

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@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails Chapter 12: The Way to Hope 65

Question 11: In multiple places Scripture indicates that joy comes from obedience to God. In what areas has God been speaking to your heart recently and calling you into greater obedience to His ways?

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Question 12: The Bible gives us numerous examples of men who, despite their dire circumstances, continued to offer praise and gratitude to God. David taught that God replenished the joy of those who intentionally praised and thanked God. How can you be more intentional in your praise offerings to God despite your circumstances?

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Question 13: If we want to rid ourselves of depression, we must choose to trust God. Given that Scripture indicates that when we choose to trust God we will not be disappointed, why would we not trust Him? In what areas do you need to choose to fully trust God today?

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Your Rx Scriptures: O taste and see that the Lord is good! Happy is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 34:8 (RSV) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 (RSV) And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. John 8:32 (RSV)

#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 66 Chapter 12: The Way to Hope

Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 (RSV) No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (RSV) But he said to e, M gae is suffiiet fo ou, fo poe is ade pefet i eakess. I ill all the oe gladl oast of eakesses, that the poe of Chist may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (RSV) Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything oth of paise, thik aout these thigs. Philippians 4:6-8 (RSV) Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (RSV) Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in health; I know that it is well with your soul. 3 John 1:2 (RSV)

Songs to Add to Your Playlist In the Sanctuary, Viki Yohe, © 2005 by EMI Gospel/Pure Springs Closer, Bethel Music & Steffany Frizzell Gretzinger, © 2014 by Bethel Music Breathe, Rebecca St. James, © 2002 by ForeFront Records Nothing Is Impossible, Planetshakers, © 2011 by Integrity/Columbia Come to the Mountain, Mak Hais, © 2007 by Ino/Columbia When the Crazy Kicks In, Francesca Battistelli, © 2014 by Word Entertainment LLC

@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails You Have a Gift to Give 67

You Have a Gift to Give

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (RSV)

Key Thoughts: Its Gods desie fo ou to e i health phsiall, etall, eotioall, ad spiritually. You now have tools to fight depression from a spiritual perspective. You can now comfort others with the comfort you have been given.

Question 1: What was your favorite part/quote from this section?

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Question 2: You now know that it is Gods desire for you to be in health, but it is the enemys tactic to lie to you in order to steal, kill and destroy. What is the greatest truth you have learned through these pages that you will continue to stand on?

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 68 You Have a Gift to Give

Question 3: Because we have suffered and been comforted, we have a gift to give others: the very same comfort that we have been given. How can you use your experiences to comfort others?

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Question 4: In helping others, how do you think it might help in your own healing journey?

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Songs to Add to Your Playlist Living in Your Freedom, Gatea Deotios, © 2014 by Gateway Create Publishing Thank You God for Saving Me, Chris Tomlin, © 2013 by sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records Bless Us and Keep Us, Joh Walle, © 2011 by City of Peace Media, Inc. With Every Act of Love, Jaso Ga, © 2014 by Centricity Music Laugh Out Loud, Jason Gray, © 2014 by Centricity Music Use Words, Mark Harris, © 2007 by Ino/Columbia Let the Heavens Open, Kai Joe, © 2014 by KAJE, LLC under exclusive license to Sparrow Records Beauty Will Rise, Steen Curtis Chapman, © 2009 by Sparrow Records

@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails 69

How to Help a Depressed Loved One

No he Jo’s three frieds heard of all this eil that had oe upo hi, they ae each from his own place, Eli′phaz the Te′aite, Bildad the Shuhite, ad Zophar the Na′aathite. They ade a appoitet together to come to condole with him and comfort him. Job 2:11 (RSV)

Key Thoughts: Its had to ko ho to help soeoe he ou haet goe though the situation yourself. There are things you can do to help a depressed loved one. Doing nothing is not helpful.

Question 1:

Given what you know about depression now, how can you best help someone who struggles with depression? ______

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#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson 70

Closing Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you that we can trust you to be true to your word. I thank you that you promise to never leave us or give up on us. I thank you that when we hurt, you hurt. I thank you that you have sent the Holy Spirit to comfort us in our times of heartache and trouble. I thank you that you have promised to give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing

for mourning, and praise instead of despair. I thank you for the healing work that you hae egun in this preious one’s heart and soul,

and I thank you that you will be true to your word that says that you who have begun a good work

in this one will be faithful to complete it. Finish your good work so that this one can in turn comfort others with the comfort

they have received.

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

@DrMBengtson #HopePrevails 71

Biography

Dr. Michelle Bengtson is an author, speaker and board certified clinical neuropsychologist with 20 years of professional expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of medical and emotional disorders. She is also a wife, mother and friend. As she trusted God to carry her through her own personal trials, she discovered that Hope Prevails. To help relieve the sufferings of others in the middle of their storms, she offers sound practical tools, affirms worth, and encourages faith by offering hope as a key to unlock joy and relief.

Dr. Bengtson earned her PhD at Nova Southeastern University, interned at the University of Oklahoma with The Father of Neuropsychology," Dr. Oscar Parsons, and completed postdoctoral training at both the Henry Ford Hospital and the University of Alabama Health Sciences Center. She lives in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with her husband, their two sons, and two dogs.

Contact Information For more hope, stay connected with me at: Website: http://www.DrMichelleBengtson.com Blog: http://drmichellebengtson.com/category/blog/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/DrMBengtson (@DrMBengtson) LinkedIn: http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/DrMichelleBengtson Google+: http://www.google.com/+MichelleBengtson Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/drmichellebengtson Pinterest: http://www.Pinterest.com/Drbhopeprevails YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn92DHzGSZk8psDb2FKazOQ Ode Hope Prevails: http://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/

#HopePrevails @DrMBengtson