002 Hope for Depression Part 2: How to Fight Depression

Episode Summary:   This episode is part 2 of Hope for Depression with Dr. Michelle Bengtson. Dr. Bengtson reviews highlights from part 1, and then answers the question how to fight depression. She reviews the fact that when it comes to depression, the enemy seeks to steal our joy, kill our peace, and destroy our identity. She then shares about the limits God puts on the enemy’s and depression’s influence in our lives, just like God limited the enemy’s impact on Job.  Dr. Bengtson helps us understand that our depressive thoughts aren’t even our own thoughts, and how to combat them.   Dr. Bengtson combines her faith with her clinical practice to help you find out how to fight depression. She shares some of the most common lies the enemy gets us to believe, and then the truth to refute those lies. In this episode, she also shares practical tips for those who want to better support a depressed loved one.   Quotables/Tweetables:   If you wonder how to fight depression, then this is the program for you. When it comes to depression, the enemy of our soul seeks to steal our joy, kill our peace, and destroy our identity. God put limits on the influence that the enemy could have on Job, and God does that for us as well. God doesn’t allow the enemy or depression to define our worth. God is the only one who can define our worth. We have infinite worth because Christ gave His life for us. Christ exchanged our sin for His perfection, our death for His life, and our bondage for His freedom. So if the son sets you free, you are truly free (John 8:36). Depression doesn’t determine our destiny. Your past doesn’t predict your future. If you are a Christ follower, your destiny is secure. God does require perfection, but we can never meet that standard for perfection, only Jesus did. Salvation is because of what Jesus did for us. Both fear and faith demand our focus, but we can trust God and no longer fear. Nothing, not the enemy nor depression, can separate us from the love of God. God’s only requirement of us is not that we would be perfect, but that we would believe in Him. We have a role to play in our own healing. Scripture says we must recover ourselves: recognize we’ve believed the enemy’s lies, repent to God for believing the enemy instead of God’s truth, then renounce and reject the enemy’s lies and replace them with God’s truth. Then receive God’s peace, love, and joy. God doesn’t leave us alone or to our own devices. Jesus never asked questions because He needed the answers. He asked questions so that those he asked them of would learn more. We have between 50-70,000 thoughts a day. How are you doing taking EVERY thought captive? First you have to pay attention to the thoughts you are having, then ask if it is consistent with God says in the Bible, or am I believing a lie? God never wastes our pain. In fact, He uses our pain for good.Depression is not from God. That is not His best for you. He desires for you to be in health and good mental health.   Scripture References:   John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not parish but have everlasting life.” Romans 5:6 “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” Jeremiah 31:3 “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” John 8:32 “you will know the truth, ad the truth will set you free.”   Recommended Resources:   If you wonder how to fight depression, the very best resource is the Word of God, The Bible. “Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award “Hope Prevails Bible Study” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-despite-depression/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/a-letter-to-one-struggling-with-depression/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/this-thing-called-depression-signs-and-symptoms/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/how-do-i-know-if-im-depressed-common-symptoms-of-depression/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/10-verses-of-hope-for-when-you-are-down-or-depressed/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/20-ways-to-fight-depression/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/can-i-be-cured-of-depression/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/10-things-to-know-if-you-have-a-depressed-loved-one/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/how-to-help-a-depressed-loved-one/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/what-to-say-when-a-loved-one-is-depressed/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/what-not-to-say-when-a-loved-one-is-depressed/ https://drmichellebengtson.com/15-ways-to-help-depressed-husband-wife/   Social Media Links for Host and Guest:   For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:   To order Hope Prevails: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/ Website: https://drmichellebengtson.com/ Blog: https://drmichellebengtson.com/blog/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrMBengtson (@DrMBengtson) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichellebengtson/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmichellebengtson/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drbhopeprevails/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleBengtson Radio Show Host: http://graceandtruthradio.world/shows/your-hope-filled-perspective/   Air Date: April 22, 2019   Guest: Dr. Michelle Bengtson, Board Certified Clinical Neuropsychologist, Author, International Speaker Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.