Episode Summary:

If you have ever felt hopeless, helpless, or worthless, if you have ever felt like giving up the fight and ending it all, then today is the perfect show for you. If you’ve ever considered attempting suicide or lived following a failed suicide attempt, you’ll want to hear our guest’s story in this episode.

In this episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, I talk with my guest, Rob Decker, who shares very candidly about his failed suicide attempt, and how he has found hope for a better life.  Rob shares his story about growing up in a dysfunctional home, watching his parents model poor choices with drugs and alcohol, his own history of substance abuse, and finally culminating in a failed suicide attempt.

Then Rob shares how, despite his upbringing and his own poor choices, he has found hope and is living a joy-filled, hopeful life, and how you can too.

Quotables from the episode:

• If you have ever felt hopeless, helpless, or worthless, if you have ever felt like giving up the fight and ending it all, then today is the perfect show for you.
• If you’ve ever considered attempting suicide or lived following a failed suicide attempt, you’ll want to hear our guest’s story in this episode.
• Even when our earthly parents reject or abandon us, God is our Heavenly Father and He will take care of us.
• God is our Father, and because of that, we can know everything will be okay.
• Christ still heals today, and He could simply touch us and heal us, but sometimes we learn more through the process and become closer to Him as a result.
• Despite the difficult circumstances we go through, the only way we can find freedom is to forgive.
• So often God uses our trials, our tribulation, our childhood, our experiences to help someone else.
• Find your peace in God and know that He has a purpose for your life. He has great things planned for your life. He will carry you through the trials. Find your hope in Him. He won’t let you down.
• The best decision you can make is to make Jesus Christ your Lord.
• It’s also important to make the decision to take care of yourself. Exercise, eat right, get enough rest, surround yourself by like-minded individuals who really care about your well-being, and do things that bring you joy.

Scripture References:

• Psalm 27:13 “I would be in despair if I did not believe I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”
• Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for a future and a hope.”
• Psalm 40:1-3 “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.”

Recommended Resources:

• https://drmichellebengtson.com/i-have-a-confession-im-a-christian-and-i-was-suicidal/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/the-sadness-behind-suicide/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/suicide-theres-another-way/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/yes-christians-get-depressed-there-is-hope/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/this-thing-called-depression-signs-and-symptoms/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/10-verses-of-hope-for-when-you-are-down-or-depressed/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/15-ways-to-help-depressed-husband-wife/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/dear-patient-now-i-understand/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/5-promises-from-god-to-the-patient-i-didnt-meet/
• “Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award https://amzn.to/2zB0e7J
• “Hope Prevails Bible Study” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award https://amzn.to/2yMdN46

Social Media Links for Host and Guest:

Connect with Rob Decker:

• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/Decker_Ro
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rob.decker.589

For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:

• To order Hope Prevails: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/
• Website: https://drmichellebengtson.com/
• Blog: https://drmichellebengtson.com/blog/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrMBengtson (@DrMBengtson)
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichellebengtson/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmichellebengtson/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drbhopeprevails/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleBengtson
• Radio Show Host: http://graceandtruthradio.world/shows/your-hope-filled-perspective/

This show is made possible thanks to generous donations from listeners like you. If you would like to support this ministry, you can make a tax-deductible donation to Words of Grace and Truth (501c3) by going here:  https://give.cornerstone.cc/GraceAndTruthRadio and putting “Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson” in the box marked “Designations.”

Guest: Rob Decker

Rob experienced a failed suicide attempt that led to a relationship with God. He suffered through many years of sadness, anger and confusion and fed that with drugs, alcohol and bad relationships. To God’s glory, his eventually turned into a story of forgiveness, understanding and love. Rob desires to inspire, encourage and give hope to those who are experiencing similar battles.

Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson

Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson

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