God is known as “the Comforter,” but in times of pain, it can be hard to feel like He is near to us. Those who experience ongoing pain know all too well that it reaches far beyond the physical body. Pain is felt emotionally; it’s felt spiritually, relationally, and even financially for many people. Even when healing seems very far away, the tenderness of God’s love is near to us.

Having personally experienced the trials and hardships of pain, my guest, Dr. Michelle Bengtson, gives hope and help through her podcast, social media channels, and new book, The Hem of His Garment: Reaching out to God When Pain Overwhelms.

As a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, Michelle offers a unique expertise that combines years of clinical study with deep biblical application to give readers a more holistic understanding of their pain and their place in God’s family.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• Michelle’s journey through pain
• The things we can learn from experiencing pain
• What to do when we are in the depths of pain
• And so much more!

I hope you benefit from this fresh take on pain and God’s faithfulness in times of trouble!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• [BOOK] The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms
• Today’s Going To Be a Good Day with Dr. Michelle Bengtson | Episode 91
• Story of the Woman with the Issue of Blood
  • Gospel of Luke
  • Gospel of Mark
• Connect with Michelle on her website, Facebook, or Instagram
• As a thank you for listening, get your 3 free eBooks.

My Key Takeaways:

1) Pain alerts us when something is wrong. Pain, although it can be physically uncomfortable, is a way in which our bodies alert us when something is wrong. This could be a physical danger in our environment, a threat to our health, or even emotional unrest in our relationships. Pain is a warning sign that something needs attention or else it will get worse. Rather than viewing all pain as “bad,” it’s important to recognize that there is a function to our pain.

2) We need to rely on God. Have you noticed that when we experience pain or go through hardships, we are quicker to turn to God for help? Pain can often be a reminder that we are not in control. But when life is going well, we put God on the back burner and rely only on ourselves. God wants to have a relationship with us and for us to depend on Him in all circumstances.

3) God is always at work. It can often feel like God is not aware of our pain or is holding back solving our problems. However, there are times when we don’t experience healing in a particular area because He is working somewhere else in our lives. In times of pain, it’s okay to bring your honest questions and emotions to Him. He may not always answer the questions we ask, but He does reveal what we most need to know.

About Michelle:

Dr. Michelle Bengtson is a board-certified neuropsychologist, author, coach, podcast host, and speaker. She personally knows pain and despair and combines her professional expertise with her faith to help others be all that God created them to be. In her latest book, The Hem of His Garment: Reaching out to God When Pain Overwhelms, Michelle provides a countercultural perspective on pain. Michelle and her husband of 34 years live in Greenville, SC.

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