From Depression and Anxiety to Hope and Healing

In this episode:

In this episode, I sit down with Dena Dyer, author of Wounded Women of the Bible: Finding Hope When Life Hurts. She shares her journey through postpartum depression and is so vulnerable in telling her story. Listen in to learn how to find hope and healing in the midst of depression and anxiety.


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Inspired Life

In her late 20's, Dena Dyer experienced severe post-partum depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. In this episode, we chatted about how she found hope and healing in that difficult experience. She shared that through the wisdom of a godly counselor, supportive family and friends, and medicine, God healed her of childhood wounds. He now allows her to minister to others who are struggling with mental health issues. Dena was vulnerable and transparent, and we talked through the difference between using Scripture to shut someone down without offering true empathy and when we read Scripture and the Holy Spirit uses that to teach us something. We talked about the danger of "prescribing" to someone else and using Scripture like a bandaid. That can almost come across as shaming. Instead, we can offer true caring and empathy.

One of Dena's statements that really resonated with me was:

"God sees you, he loves you, and you are cared for in ways you cannot imagine." — Dena Dyer

Listen to the episode to learn more about Dena's experience and how others can find hope too. It was a delightful conversation and she has the sweetest heart.


Editor's note: Since the recording date of this episode and not long before it aired, Dena's father passed away. I want to send out heartfelt sympathy to Dena and her family. —Michelle

Life, Repurposed

About Dena Dyer:

She is an award-winning author of ten books and hundreds of articles, as well as a professional speaker and writing coach. But most important—she's the wife of a (hilarious) musician hubby and mom to two young adult sons. She also has a very spoiled puppy, Sully, who keeps her company while she writes. Dena loves all things British, vintage/resale shopping, and spending time with her friends and family. Be sure to connect with Dena on her website and on Instagram @denadyer

Recommended Resources

Today's resource is one of Dena's books. Wounded Women of the Bible: Finding Hope When Life Hurts

From the book description:

Imploding relationships, incapacitating losses, injurious personal mistakes, or spiritual failures—whatever the issue, the wounds are the same.

Whether it’s a lapse in judgment by Bathsheba or the moral failure of the women’s ministry leader in your local church; the spiritual insensitivity of Martha or the compulsive obsessions of your church’s care circle chairwoman; the terror of an abandoned single mother like Hagar or the struggling single mother in your prayer group—the time and circumstances are different, but the wounds are equally deep and spiritually devastating.

Dena Dyer and Tina Samples get it. They have their own stories of pain before healing—along with similar experiences of their families and friends. Offering more than pat affirmations or vicarious shoulders to cry on, Dena and Tina delve deep into the shared emotions and injuries that women of all ages have in common—and move readers toward the recovery and healing that only God can provide.

No matter what hurts you’ve experienced, Wounded Women of the Bible proves that God understands and that healing is not only His intention but His delight!


Don't forget to listen to episode number 68 to hear about a secret sale that I'm doing on Classic Marriage: Staying in Love as Your Odometer Climbs

I only shared it in the podcast recording, so you'll have to listen to the audio to learn what the special offer is!

 

(Please note: books posted here on my blog are purely because I want to share them. Sometimes I receive free copies for review, and other times I purchase the books. Some I get from the library. Either way, any endorsement I offer here on the blog is simply because I want to talk about the book. )

Michelle Rayburn is the author of The Repurposed and Upcycled Life: When God Turns Trash to Treasure, as well as a small group Bible study to accompany the book. Learn more about these and her other books here. A sample chapter of the book and Bible study are available for free download.

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Posted in Articles, Books & Resources, Podcast Episodes.