I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. Job 15:11
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:5
My heart broke yesterday of a friend who had to quit her job because of anxiety. Anxiety is growing at a record clip. Do not judge, help and pray! The Health store I go to is sold out of anxiety remedies at times. Doctors tell me that anxiety has become a huge problem. We all know someone with anxiety, please share this post with them.
From Our Very Good Friend Chuck Akeley
Pastor, you are speaking to something I see also. Everything is so fast-paced and often unforgiving in nature that it seems there is very little enjoyment and satisfaction in our work and even in our day-to-day relationships (or lack thereof). Praise God for those who love the work they are doing (you come to mind)! But praise God also because you see this issue for what it is. As always, we know the answer is Jesus (and many times, so does the one suffering anxiety), but there must be discernment, genuine love and HG wisdom in how it is addressed. Love you Pastor Dewey (and your honesty and your openness).
God Bless you Chuck!
Super Blessed to hear from Sister Connie Keyohara!!!! This is such a timely post as so many are telling me they are suffering from fear and anxiety! The world we live in! Thank you Connie!
For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
As I was pondering the scripture on fear I remembered that as a child fear gripped me many times. Fear is something that comes in subtly, early in life, can last a lifetime if allowed and will overstay it’s welcome.
Fear is oppressive and causes torment inside us. It brings with it hopelessness and an unending feeling of dread and impending doom. God never intended us to live life in that manner. In fact, He is specific about NOT fearing life. Fear is the opposite of faith, and it’s demonic in nature.
Webster’s describes fear as: an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by expectation or awareness of danger and concern about what may happen.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 24:27
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
The bible tells us 365 times to not be afraid. “So DO NOT FEAR, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. And since the Bible tells us “do not fear” 365 times, there’s one for every day of the year! 
In our daily living we have an ample supply of things to worry about, obsessively worrying is a spiritual battle that we must address if we’re going to uproot that spirit of fear. We have to remember that whatever is causing that fear, that God is not afraid of the happenings of this world and we are to turn to him.
Philippians 4:6-7 says:
“Don’t be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
So the way we should address our fears is: Start off by praying, then we go to scripture, We hold every thought captive and we turn to God for guidance and help! If we are in sin, we repent and move forward.
And always remember…..
“Fear not for I am with you” -Jesus
Thank you,
Connie Keyohara
Another Blessing by Connie
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
Often times we find ourselves going through a hard situation. Sometimes it can feel like we’re alone in this world, and sometimes it can feel like nobody around us cares.
Psalm 34:18 tells us they God is close to the brokenhearted and those crushed in spirit. I’ve always quoted that scripture when there was hardship in my life or anyone around me, because it just showed me that God was close to us at that moment.
Even when somebody seem so happy or maybe like they have their life all together they may secretly be going through something that none of us knows or understands. It’s always very important that we treat everybody with kindness even when it’s not reciprocated, because That person needs it the most. It’s like what God does for us when we are undeserving. He overlooks our offenses and he forgives us and that’s something that we need to try to do for others.
We recently had a death in our family a young gentleman who took his own life, that was something I’ve never experienced firsthand and so close to my heart. There’s grief in any death expected or not, but suicide was something that was very difficult to deal with. In the days in the weeks ahead of that trial there was so much sadness so many tears were shed for such a senseless loss, but I could feel the presence of God like I never had before!
As I quoted that scripture to family and friends before and after the funeral I assured them that God was close to them for their spirits were crushed in anguish, but I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God never left us for one moment.
It’s important to know that whatever trials we are facing and wherever we are at this very moment to never give up hope, there’s always an end to a trial. Seeking God during these tough times is pivotal.
Jesus Christ is our source of peace.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 24:27
Many Blessings,
Connie Keyohara
This is a past post from another very Dear Friend Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Have you ever heard the saying, “knowledge is power?” What about the lack of knowledge? What if you just don’t know what you don’t know?
That’s how I would describe my experience with depression. I just didn’t understand until I went through it myself.
For years in my neuropsychology practice, I treated patients who suffered with depression. Once I experienced depression myself, I understood the pain, the despair, and the agony firsthand. My compassion for my patients increased exponentially.
In the course of my own treatment, I tried everything I had suggested for my patients over the years. They weren’t enough to make a dent in the heartache of my soul.
What was missing?
In my darkest days of depression, I found out I didn’t have all the answers. I felt shame because I was the doctor who was supposed to have all the answers. I even treated patients for depression and discovered I didn’t have all the answers. When I tried the treatments, I discovered they helped, but they were not enough for me to overcome.
When I walked through the dark valley of depression, I despaired. I didn’t want to get out of the bed. I wouldn’t wish those deep, dark days on anybody.
In those days of despair, God met me and spoke into my heart.
He gave me the truths I could use to fight depression by combatting the lies the enemy had been whispering into my heart. Believing those lies had put me into the valley of despair to begin with.
These same truths helped me overcome depression. Now, I stand on those truths from God’s word to keep me from going back into that pit.
In my award-winning book, “Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression” and my “Hope Prevails Bible Study,” I help readers understand what depression is, show how it affects them spiritually, and what, by God’s grace, it cannot do. I offer the hope that is available for living the abundant life. The result is a treatment plan that addresses the whole person—not just chemical imbalances in the brain.
For those who struggle with depression and those that want to help them, “Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression” offers real hope for the future.
I’m celebrating because this week marks the one-year anniversary of the release of the ““Hope Prevails Bible Study.”
Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Additional Depression Resources:
For a Free eBook on How to Help a Depressed Loved One, click here: How to Help a Depressed Loved One eBook.
For more helpful information about what you need to know when you have a depressed loved one, read here: https://drmichellebengtson.com/10-things-to-know-if-you-have-a-depressed-loved-one/
For more about what not to say to a depressed loved one, read here: https://drmichellebengtson.com/what-not-to-say-when-a-loved-one-is-depressed/ while here are suggestions about supportive things you can say to a depressed loved one: https://drmichellebengtson.com/what-to-say-when-a-loved-one-is-depressed/
To learn more about “Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression,” Dr. Bengtson’s book, see: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book.
And, for the Bible Study, see: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-bible-study/.
