You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us. 2 Corinthians 2:17
I met Dr. Michelle Bengtson on July 22, 2015. We were online prayer partners having met in an online writers group and I volunteered to pray for her and we became special friends. She drove from Texas to Oklahoma to meet me and we had a weekend together. When I flew back to California, I had a layover in Dallas and she arranged to meet me and we had dinner in Dallas. Then we were able to go to a mental health conference in Orange California. She is one of the most sincere persons you will ever meet. Additionally, we went to a retreat and She Speaks together. Our friendship formed with God’s blessing and is one of my most treasured blessings.
Beloved, number twenty-four characteristic of a born-again believer is one is sincere. Sincere is described as free from pretense or deceit; proceeding from genuine feelings. Synonyms are heartfelt, wholehearted, profound, and deep. What Michelle’s most sincere about is her love of God. God had asked her to write her story about dealing with severe debilitating postpartum depression. That is what we were praying for her first book Hope Prevails: Insights of a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression. We prayed for every aspect of this book every word, even the book cover. This book was released in August of 2016. This book is an in-depth look at depression, how to cope with depression, and ways to overcome depression. A great resource for anyone suffering with depression or for anyone looking to help someone with depression.
Dr. Michelle Bengtson was then asked to write a Bible study. This is what we are celebrating it is available as of today. The Hope Prevails Bible Study to me, however, is an action plan of using God’s word to heal wounds. For example, I was faced with a decision of whether to retire and I was quite fearfully and as I prayerfully did this Bible study, I receive my answers to my questions and my fears were alleviated and I am now retired. The bible study gives you many verses to apply to different situations whether it is fear or anxiety. Chapter 8 continues to be my favorite it is on knowing who you are in Christ. Some of the quotes that really helped me are, “You are not your depression” “We are accepted by the only one whose opinions who counts.” “Depression does not have to be a permanent part of your life!”
Beloved, number twenty-four characteristic of a born-again believer is one is sincere.
Father God, I know of no one more sincere than Dr. Michelle. I ask that you bless her book and her life. You know the challenges that she has to face. Lord, we ask that your will be done in regards to this book and the sale of it. More importantly, I ask for the woman that is depressed that you protect her, that she be able to get a copy of this Bible study and apply the wisdom that is within this book. In Jesus name. Amen
What do you need to be more sincere? Leave a comment and 2 copies will be given away.
Please support Michelle by purchasing the bible study.
This post is part of a 31 day series on the Characteristics of a Believer. I am so glad that you are here. To read all of the posts in this series, click here.
22 Comments
Rachelle Craig
October 26, 2017 at 4:32 amYou are so right Diana! This book has touched and changed my life as well. I have a daughter who has suffered with depression, and who has never shown any interest in the Lord. I have been praying for her heart for several years, and in prayer I invited her to the launch day Party for Hope Prevails Bible Study. Guess what? She accepted my invitation and she attended the party! God is so good! The seed has been planted, and I’m praying it takes root! Please keep my daughter in prayer. Love you, my beautiful friend! ❤️?
Diana
October 28, 2017 at 11:38 amDear Rachelle, Thank you for being such a faithful friend. Blessings you have won another book for your daughter. Diana
Rachelle
October 26, 2017 at 8:57 amDear Diana,
Sincerity is something I struggle with. There are times that I am so empathetic with someone’s situation that I am afraid it will come off as NOT sincere, so I don’t share my feelings.
We have moved a lot, so I make new friends every couple of years (I’m always making new friends, but you know what I mean). I gel with people quicker than they do with me. But I am learning to accept my feelings and just let them flow, because holding them back is insincere.
Thanks so much for your wonderful post. I love our Lord and Savior and appreciate any insight into his character or how to live righteously as He did.
Diana
October 28, 2017 at 11:36 amDear Rachelle, Thank you for sharing. Sometimes, I struggle with sincerity but I am sincere when I tell you that you won the book. I emailed you blessings. Diana
Karen Tackett
October 26, 2017 at 9:04 amHi Diana, thank you for being a dear friend and encourager for Dr. Michelle! I was a part of the new book launch yesterday and have been so blessed by Dr. Michelle’s posts and encouragement concerning depression. I look forward to reading both of her books. I have many women who look to me for encouragement personally and through God’s Word for the stresses of life today. I so agree about sincerity. Many are looking for those who sincerely care and love them enough to invest in their lives through scripture and words of blessing. Thank you for joining with many of us to encourage people to read both of Dr. Michelle’s books.
Diana
October 28, 2017 at 11:33 amDear Karen, Thank you so much for visiting and leaving a comment. I would love to get you a book. I emailed you. Blessings Diana
Noelle
October 26, 2017 at 12:31 pmAwesome and well written blog
Diana
October 28, 2017 at 11:31 amDear Noelle, Thank you and you are a winner of Hope Prevails. Blessings Diana
Ruby Sterling
October 26, 2017 at 4:19 pmSincerity is something that I know I need to work on within myself. I put up such a great front most days, that I forget there are people and places that are safe zones to just be me, be real and sincere. My heart’s cry is to be authentic and to be sincere in all I do and with everyone, especially myself.
Can’t wait to do the study!
Diana
October 28, 2017 at 11:30 amDear Ruby, You are the fortunate winner of Hope Prevails, I contacted you be email. Blessings Diana
Marlene Salcher
October 27, 2017 at 8:50 amI love your post and yes, sincerity of heart, not pretense. What I’ve seen recently from some has been a way of getting what they want from others in order to get something for themselves, or for what they are doing. One day as I studied the life of Jesus, I realized the soldiers wanted Jesus for what He had (his garments and his tunic), not for who He was. Our motives for what we say, and do have to be weighed in line with God’s Word. Lord, help me/us to allow You to check our hearts. I’ve told you before, sometimes I don’t know my own motives, let alone someone else’s. I/we so need discernment even with other believers.
Diana
October 28, 2017 at 11:28 amDear Marlene, Blessings to you and you have won a copy of this book because Hope does prevail. Blessings Diana
Pam
October 27, 2017 at 10:48 amAs one who struggles with severe depression, I need to be willing to be vulnerable, to tell people when I am struggling and be more honest about the depth of that struggle. The more vulnerable I am, the more help I can get more quickly. Struggling in silence is the worst thing we can do!
Diana
October 28, 2017 at 11:26 amDear Pam, blessings to you and you have won this book. Hope does prevail. Blessings Diana
Tracey
October 27, 2017 at 11:42 amI pray to be sincere in expressing how I really feel and believe. I haven’t stopped in awhile to consider sincerity. Thankful I did today! Would love this book! Dealing with a chronic illness myself and having a son that is 16 who is chronically ill depression had been a part! God bless both of you! ?
Diana
October 28, 2017 at 11:25 amDear Tracey, I hope you enjoy the book because you are a winner of Hope Prevails. Hope does prevail. Blessings Diana
Tammy
October 31, 2017 at 2:40 pmDiana,
What an unexpected surprise to open mail today to the Hope Prevails Bible Study book!! Thank you SO very much.
Diana
November 1, 2017 at 2:31 pmDear Tammy, You are welcome and will be surprised again. You are a lucky girl. Thanks for reading my blog. I know Dr. Michelle would love a review if you care to write one. Blessings Diana
Debra S
November 4, 2017 at 9:57 amHi Diana, you are such a blessing to me. Your way of sharing your faith and encouragement for women is something I’m still learning. I gave my copy of Michelle’s book to my marriage counselor, as we have had conversations about my depression in the past. I know there are many other Christian’s she works with in overcoming their depression. And there are days when I still have to fight against those feelings of darkness. I would love to have another book.
Diana
November 4, 2017 at 2:39 pmDear Debra S. I will need your address and phone number in order to send you the books. Please private message me or send me an email at blessingsrockwell@gmail.com Blessings Diana
Beth
November 4, 2017 at 7:51 pmDiana, I read your posts, but don’t normally reply, but I had to reply here. In your prayer above, you asked that the depressed woman be protected, be able to get a copy of this book and to apply the wisdom she finds in the pages. Well, you sent me this study and I think you sent me the actual book as well. So I have it in my hands, I love God and I know He loves me, even when I feel most unlovable, so I’m protected and I am applying the wisdom from this book slowly and in little pieces to different areas of my heart, mind and life. Just a little at a time because I haven’t been reading it and working through the study enough yet to get it all absorbed.
I can definitely say that Dr. Bengston’s book has had and will continue to have a direct and wonderful influence on my life.
Reading about it being possible to work through depression and not let it keep me company for the rest of my life has inspired me to work harder in the areas where depression is hurting me the most.
Diana
November 5, 2017 at 5:02 pmDear Beth, Thank you for your kind words. We will continue to work through this depression stuff together. Love you Diana.