Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast

Episode Summary:  Spiritual pain can be an emotionally distressing experience, however, it is often overlooked. Sometimes our belief systems and connection to God can be disrupted, causing anguish, and leaving us feeling abandoned or punished. Join me on the podcast with Aliene Thompson as we discuss what to do when God is silent and how to heal spiritual pain. Most people can identify with physic...

Episode Summary:  Have you ever experienced relational pain? Those interpersonal relationships that cause you pain and heartache? Maybe even rejection or betrayal? Most of us have experienced relationships that cause us pain, but it’s not something that is talked about very much. How do we deal with it? What happens in the fallout? How do we move on? Jessica Van Roekel and I talk about relationshi...

Episode Summary: Most people can identify with physical pain. We've all been there… a broken arm, a skinned knee, a sunburn. But there are other less discussed types of pain that cause just as much and sometimes even more damage in people's lives. Most people don't talk about emotional pain. It's too embarrassing. It's too hurtful. But this is something we need to have an open conversation about i...

Episode Summary: In part 2 of our discussion on what to do when chronic pain becomes too much, Laurie Davies and I cover a practical list of actionable do’s and don’ts when dealing with chronic pain. This helpful guide includes examples of the coping mechanisms we use on a daily basis. If you’re struggling with chronic pain, don’t give up! Join us for this hope-filled episode.   Quotables: “Out of...

Episode Summary:  Have you ever found yourself in a place where pain was all you could focus on? Do you ever question God’s plan while dealing with physical suffering? Do you ever get to the point where you just want the pain to end and you don’t know what to do? In part 1 of our conversation, Laurie Davies and I talk about when chronic pain becomes too much to bear.    Quotables from the episode:...

Episode Summary:  Have you ever felt burned out from your ministry or calling? Are you a faith-filled believer of Jesus, and yet your spiritual walk has felt void of excitement? Do you approach your daily quiet time as a task to check off rather than a fresh encounter with a friend?  We’re going to be talking about all of this in today’s episode. Join me with Jodie Niznik for how to meditate on th...

Episode Summary: Do you ever wonder about God’s calling on your life? What does the Bible say about God’s calling on your life? What does it mean when God is calling you? In this episode, I talk with Rachelle Starr. At the age of 23, she God called her to share the hope of Jesus to women in the adult entertainment industry.  This led her to love people through their pain and her pain as she walked...

Episode Summary:  We’ve all heard that laughter is the best medicine, but why? When is the best time to laugh? What if I told you that laughter is the best medicine at any time, but even in a health crisis! My guest, Cherie Nettles, is going to help us unpack that a bit.   Quotables from the episode: Doctors give diagnoses but only God can give prognoses! Scripture tells us that laughter is healin...

Episode Summary: Your past doesn’t define you. Your present doesn’t define you. But who you choose to trust does define your future. We all experience a “meanwhile” in life. Those interminable and challenging moments when God is strategically laboring behind the scenes, yet we find ourselves questioning. Waiting on God to rescue, to answer our prayers, to work in the lives of our loved ones. But G...

Episode Summary:  There are others like you…you are not alone! In this episode, my guest and I talk about Christians and mental health, as well as the stigma around mental illness for Christians. In my own practice, I’ve worked with thousands of patients who endured mental health issues, yet, I’ve seen some of the greatest shaming come from other Christians. Join me with Paul Gaumer as we talk abo...

Episode Summary:  Human trafficking is a much bigger issue than most people realize. Today we’re going to be talking with an expert who can shed some light on this global epidemic and provide us some hope for better understanding human trafficking, how we can help, and what needs to be done for ending human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Today’s guest is currently a North American Cloud Stra...

Episode Summary:  Statistics from Lifeway Research reveal that 49% of pastors admit they rarely or never speak to their congregation about mental illness. And 35% of Americans say mental illness could be overcome with Bible study and prayer alone, revealing perhaps a stigma attached to therapy, meditation, and/or medical treatment needed for the one in five Americans who suffer from mental illness...

Episode Summary:  Unlock the secrets to thriving as you age. Join me with my guest, Brigitte Cutshall, a beacon of hope and resilience, who defied the odds and found the secret to thriving in the face of cancer and a rare brain tumor. We’ll explore the keys to maintaining a positive outlook, finding purpose, and embracing every day as a precious gift. A focus on hope is powerful!   Quotables from...

Episode Summary:  Are you experiencing the empty nest stage of life or finding yourself constantly in close quarters with your spouse? If the 24/7 togetherness feels overwhelming, then this episode is for you! Join us as we delve into the secrets of thriving in marriage with a spouse in the house. Our special guest is Cynthia Ruchti, coauthor of the insightful book "Spouse in the House: Rearrangin...

Episode Summary:  We are perpetually insecure people. We struggle with self-esteem, recognize our fallenness, and find that in spite of our sinfulness, God chooses to use us…if we let Him. God often steps into our lives and gives us an opportunity to be part of His story. No matter who you are or what your story is, God’s effective grace can resurrect your life and point to Jesus. Join me with my...

Episode Summary:  Do you have grown up or adult children? Have you felt that parenting adult children offers different opportunities and challenges than parenting young children? What about the challenges of parenting wayward adult children or parenting adult children even when they choose a different path than you would have chosen for them? Join me with my guest, Mary DeMuth, for an encouraging...

Episode Summary:  Lust is a man’s problem, right? Wrong. When we see lust as an exclusively male issue, it leaves Christian women with nowhere to turn when they struggle with the same things. A 2016 Barna study found 20 percent of Christian women use porn regularly. These women suffer silently and often feel alone with nowhere to turn. There are numerous resources for men struggling, but not women...

Episode Summary:  Our thought life determines our whole life. The enemy wants us to feel defeated, rejected, and defenseless. But Jesus offers a truth that sets us free and when seized in a mind, has the power to transform us to a whole new way of living. The mind of Christ can change everything if you let it. The size of your God far outweighs any issues in your mind. Join me with Kelly Balarie f...

Episode Summary:  Every TV show, YouTube channel, podcast, social media platform, News broadcast, social media influencer—all strategically want one thing: your attention. In today’s world of endless hurry and distraction, we have difficulty focusing on what's important, and spend most of our days seeing and hearing without truly paying attention. Our lives are full of meaning—yet we miss the gian...

Episode Summary: Bad things happen. People wound us. Friends let us down. Trust issues with people can become trust issues with God. Scripture tells us to trust the Lord with all our heart. But how do we do that? My guest, Joanna Weaver, invites you to trust in the Lord with all your heart. Relinquishing control and putting your hope in a forever-faithful Father--that's the beautiful secret of uns...

Episode Summary: Do you ever find yourself falling into a trap of thinking negative thoughts? Have you ever wondered how to control your negative thoughts? It is possible, and that’s what my guest, Tracy Taris, and I talk about in this episode: how to stop negative thoughts.    Quotables from the episode: Our negative thinking usually comes as a result of our life experiences, beliefs, and message...

Episode Summary: Have you or someone you love been diagnosed with cancer? Are you wondering how to pray for yourself or a loved one battling cancer? Then stick around, and consider sharing this episode with someone in the battle because today we’re going to be talking about How to pray when battling cancer. My husband and I, as well as today’s guest, Niki Hardy, have all been through this, and we’...

Episode Summary: Father wounds result when a person’s father is physically absent, emotionally abusive or distant, negative or overly critical character, which can have long-term consequences for an individual. The world is full of women who have been hurt, neglected, rejected, or abandoned by their father. They may feel like every aspect of their life is affected by that broken trust. Even their...

Episode Summary:  We’ve all heard the term “prodigal child,” and there’s even a popular show called “Prodigal son.” But what exactly constitutes a prodigal child? And perhaps even more important than semantics, how do we win back a prodigal child, teen, or young adult? In this episode, I talk with Laine Lawson Craft about a battle plan to win back a prodigal child, teen, or young adult. Quotables...

Episode Summary:  Life has a way of altering our course through unexpected detours. But how do you find hope when life takes an unexpected detour that leads to a hard place? How do you continue putting one foot in front of another? Join me with Grace Fox on the podcast. Quotables from the episode: My circumstances made for a perfect storm, and fear could have overwhelmed me were it not for God hel...