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August 5, 2026 · 57 min · Hope in the Night
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On each episode, June Hunt works through some of life's most painful problems with callers, sharing God's heart and guidance on topics like alcohol and drug
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Sadness vs. Depression 0:00 From0:14 the Hope Center in Plano, Texas, this is Hope in the Night, late night talk radio offering Biblical hope and practical help. This program has been helping people in the air for over 30 years, and it's a ministry of Hope0:26 for the Heart. Now, if you'd like to find out more about that ministry, you can go to hope for the heart dot org. You can find previous Hope in the Night programs if you missed 1. You can make 1 time or recurring0:37 donations to support our ministry, and you can get into our resources by clicking on the store button. I'm auth I'm Tom Petrovski, and tonight I'm here with author and speaker June Hunt. Good evening,0:48 June. Hope you're doing well tonight.0:51 Thank you. Doing doing very well. Thank you.0:54 Well, that's great. We, tonight, we're gonna talk about 1 of the topics that we unfortunately talk about a lot, and it's depression. I know you've written some great literature on that in the Keys for Living1:06 Library. But what would be the difference when someone there's days where we have a sad day or things don't go our way, but what makes it cross the threshold to become1:18 depression?1:21 Great question. You know, in spite of the fact that so many people today are suffering from depression, this1:33 mental health condition can be really, unfortunately, misunderstood in a major way and can be confusing1:45 to the person who experiences it. There is a difference between sadness and depression. Depression is more than just feeling1:57 down or having a bad day. On the surface, there are some notable similarities between those who are sad and those who are depressed. For2:08 example, the similarities would be they could more easily have tears and cry, more prone to withdrawal from2:20 family, friends, or even in just, withdrawing from the world in general. They often can talk about or complain of feeling,2:34 list well, I'll I'll say alienated, just off, by themselves. Now the distinguishing factor that2:46 sets the sad person apart from the depressed person is this. The sad person knows what he or she is sad about, While the2:58 depressed person often doesn't, someone who is sad may say, I'm so sad that my best friend moved away, and I really miss her. Or,3:11 someone who's sad may say, my children are all grown and gone. The house just doesn't feel the same anymore.3:23 Now a depressed person may feel down or low, and be cheerful, but to conclusively put3:35 a finger on what's drained, the life out of them could be very elusive. The depressed person doesn't have to have3:47 a reason. The depressed person is more likely to say, well, I just feel life is empty. It's meaningless, or what's the use of going on?4:01 It's been said about the difference, in terms of the distinction. Depression is sadness that has forgotten its true4:12 causes. It's forgotten because remembering may generate overwhelming, untenable feelings of pain and loss.4:25 Another difference between sadness and depression is sad people are grief stricken about something, in the world, but aren't4:37 necessarily sad about themselves. And this is important. Depressed people will characteristically, feel horrible about themselves and are4:49 filled with guilt, shame, and even self loathing. So the goal in treating depression is to remove the5:01 sufferer from feeling despairing about life, despairing about everything in general, to mourning the loss of something5:13 in particular. And for this to happen, they need a tremendously supportive, patient listener. I'm I'm5:24 saying that their silent scream to family, to family members and friends or a trained counselor could be, you know, are you5:36 listening to me? Are you really listening? I think the point here is it is normal5:49 to be sad, to have grief over the loss of your dearest friend, the loss of the dearest person in your life,6:01 the death of of a parent, a person with whom you have a heart, investment,6:13 that is normal. That in fact, the Bible even says there's a time to grieve, a time to mourn. Depression instead, though, is6:25 just feeling bad about life, feeling horrible about, you know, I'm just not I'm just not6:36 what I should be, and sometimes they will feel vault at fault. You know, I if if only I had been different. Different,6:48 but again, it's much more generalized. But the main thing is we must communicate that we care to the 1 who is grieving. Psalm7:00 107 verse 2 says, let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story. 1 of the greatest encouragements to our team is hearing how God is using this ministry in7:12 the lives of others. Over the years, we've heard from listeners who found comfort in their grief, healing in their relationships, and strength through difficult seasons because7:24 of God's truth shared on Hope in the Night. If Hope in the Night has blessed you, we'd love to hear about it, and your words may encourage someone else who needs hope7:36 today. Would you take a moment to send us a note and share how this ministry has impacted you? Just visit hope for the heart dot org slash story or text story7:48 to 7 0 9 1 9. That's hope for the heart dot org slash story or text story to 7 0 9 1 9.8:00 At Houston Christian University, our graduate program offers you the working professional, the curriculum to advance your career with the flexibility to keep your life focused, the personalized and affordable approach8:12 you deserve in the most desirable fields, all designed to take you where you want to go, but remain grounded in where you are. Let our 60 years of education experience8:24 get you there. Discover how at hc dot edu slash grad.8:30 Before we continue tonight's conversation, we wanna let you know about a special free resource. The Bible reminds us that God is the father of compassion and the God of all comfort. That promise is especially meaningful8:41 during seasons of grief and loss. That's why this month, Hope for the Heart is offering a free download on grief filled with encouragement and promises from God's word. You can get this free resource at hope for the8:53 heart dot org slash free, or you can text the word free to 7 0 9 1 9 to learn more.9:15 Welcome back to Hope of the Night. If you have questions about other topics tonight or would like to order resources, our support team can help you. You can reach them on the phone by calling one-eight hundred-four 889:25 HOPE, or you can reach them by sending a text to support. You send the word support to 7 0 9 1 9. That team works during normal business hours, and they can help you find9:37 purchasing and purchase the materials that you need. If you know exactly what you're looking for, maybe you've written down some notes of the program and heard June mention a particular Keys for Living title, well, then9:49 you can just go to our website, click on store, and order whatever you need just like a normal online merchant. Let's welcome back a returning caller tonight. Let's welcome Karen to open the night.Signs of Elder Financial Abuse 10:01 Well, hello, Karen.10:03 How are you doing?10:04 Well, it's wonderful to talk with you again.10:07 Thank you. Same here.10:09 Well, what is going on in your life right now?10:14 Well, still with my friend. He he asked me, you know, to be his girlfriend. But, like I said, he has his family that's stealing from him.10:26 Well, they've still, like, thousands of times account. So Labor Day, they're supposed to be having a get together in memory of their grandmother, the past 15 years ago.10:38 And the niece is supposed to pick him up, but she's the 1 that was really stealing out his account.10:44 Oh.10:45 And I told him, I say, you're different from me. There's no way in the world. I could ride up there and eat from your sister because she stole that much money. It'll count you don't10:57 know what might happen. You're going up there. I was a little upset, and he tried explaining to me he needs to go so that he can approach both of them to find out why they have been stealing from11:09 him. So I told him I have to stay out of it. It was really Mhmm. Bothering me.11:16 Well, I know that you have been concerned about him and that there are family members who are not trustworthy, and they've11:28 been stealing. Does he know that now?11:33 He knows it. But when we go to the bank, he's just sitting and looks out the window, and they end up talking to me like it's my account. He doesn't want them prosecuted11:45 because he don't want them go to jail. I said, well, then make them pay you back. He said that I keep digging. I said, you better let me dig. This is how I found the theft. In 1 account, I stopped at11:57 10007 50. It was more than that. I just couldn't believe it. So she went from 1 check into the savings. And, I mean, it was a lot of money, and he never12:09 once tried to stop it. It was always me going and telling him, please, can you just deny access? And so it got to point we went to another branch, and we got the12:20 right person, and he shut the complete he closed the complete account down.12:26 Ah. I didn't get it. Words, they cannot they cannot access the account. Those who are not, obviously, it's his account. But,12:38 that means that they've denied act the bank has denied access to those who were stealing from him. Is that correct?12:46 Well, he what he did, her the the niece's name was on the account. He put it on 46 years ago when he opened it. And once he had the stroke last year and they ransacked his house, they saw12:58 how much money he had. So by the niece's name being on there, she started an online account for herself. She transferred 2000 dollars into it, and her mother, which is his sister,13:11 set up a Zelle account. So when she needs money, she would call her daughter and she would do Zelle payments to her account. So I don't know if they were splitting the money, but all this money13:23 came out of his account. Even though he closed that account because her name was on it, he got a new number and a new PIN. He fell in the house in June, and the13:35 young lady came down. She took him to the bank to get 2000 dollars out because the family house in New York has he and his 2 similar names on it. He13:46 was getting 2000 dollars out, but he keeps telling me he didn't cash his check. But when I checked the bank statement, it said Zelle payment to13:58 Ruby. And the the niece is the 1 who does the Zelle payments. I asked him, did you give her your PIN? He said he doesn't remember going to the bank. He doesn't remember falling. Then he say, she14:09 doesn't have my PIN. I said, you don't know that because you have a Zelle payment to your sister. He say, well, you mean 4000 dollars came out of my account? I say, you14:21 said you did a cashier's check, but the statement says it was a Zelle account to your sister. So we need he said, well, we need to go to the bank to see what happened. But, see, you could go straighten it14:33 out, but he'll turn around behind my back and he'll end up going back doing something and mess it up. And so I think the bank should put some put their foot down on him and tell him this has to14:45 stop. How14:46 old is he? How old what is his age?14:49 He's 75.14:51 Okay. Now there is something that gives protection to the elderly, and he could be15:03 considered elderly.15:05 Mhmm.15:07 I know there are a lot of people a lot older, but the point is, this is in place because this law is in place15:19 to protect those who obviously, could be challenged. They may not know the law. They may not know how to access the15:31 help they need. And, I remember, I put in 1 of our keys called aging well. That's the15:43 topic, something about how to protect those who, are elderly. And15:55 this is not just a private thing. This is governmental, and I know people who've had huge success16:09 by communicating that there could be elder abuse, and that's often what it is called. There may be other other names, but16:21 it is very important that people be protected, especially those who are most vulnerable. Does that make sense to you, what16:32 I'm saying?16:33 Mhmm.16:34 Yeah. Okay. So, I think for you to, or or do you know how to16:46 access that information of who to talk to? Because it could be that there are all kinds of things in writing, which I think there16:57 are, and it would give explanation of of, the type of service that this,17:10 this program is set up for the elderly. Now do you know how to access that?17:20 Yeah. See, I I talk I already talked to adult protective services about this. So I did but he's the problem because he doesn't17:32 want them prosecuted. Mhmm. You see, with this bank account, he will sit there, and we go in our office. He will just look straight out the window. He won't say anything, and they end up talking to17:44 me. So the last time we went to the bank, the young man said, who is who is Ruby? He says, my sister. He said, who is Danielle? That's my niece. He says, so that's17:56 who's still not your account. Okay. So the manager came in and he said, well, this thing is fraud. And he was getting ready to call the police. And all of a sudden, he jumped and he said, no fraud. No fraud. No fraud. He18:07 said, I don't want my people to go to jail. I said, well, they make them pay you make them pay you back, but he's part of the problem. Okay.18:16 Yeah. Well, elder abuse is 1 of the terms used, and elder abuse is any intentional18:28 or negligent act that causes harm or loss to an older person. Most cases of elder abuse go undetected18:40 and, therefore, unreported, leaving the elderly feeling devalued or dejected or even demoralized. And what we're talking about,18:53 and you've just mentioned 1 of the key points. It's they can be financial abuse. There are different issues. Like, I mean, if if there were physical abuse, that would be also19:05 elder abuse or emotional or psychological mistreatment. So that would be,19:17 probably a part of this too, but abuse only has to be suspected. Listen to this. Abuse has to only be suspected, not proven, by the person reporting19:29 it. Professionals investigating the report are the ones responsible for proving or verifying the19:40 legitimacy of the report. Mhmm. So to report suspected elder abuse, you typically19:52 contact it's called adult protective services.19:57 Mhmm.19:58 Oh, or it could be called elder care locator. Depends on what state you're in, what what the program they they have20:10 different names. But to report suspected abuse, like, in a nursing home or a long term care facility, then you go to the local20:22 long term care ombudsman, but that's not what you're dealing with. Oh, and by the way, even to learn more about this, I'm gonna give you something.20:35 Do you have a pen where you could write something down?20:39 Wait a minute. I can get 1.20:41 Okay. What I'm gonna tell her is it's called the National Center on Elder Abuse. Okay. Okay. If you can write this down. The20:53 National Center on Elder Abuse. You see, that organization helps communities and agencies,21:06 other organizations to ensure that elders and adults with disabilities can live with dignity and without21:18 abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Uh-huh. It provides, education and research and promising,21:31 like, practices and stopping abuse. I understand what the problem is. You're saying, well, it's evident that there are family members of21:43 this man, and yet he doesn't want I mean, who are involved in the financial abuse. And you said he's 75.21:54 And so, but but I'm gonna tell you a scripture that's really important. It's Proverbs 31 verse 8. Speak22:06 up. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. I love that scripture because this is what you're trying to do.22:18 You're trying to speak up for a man who you know is a good man, but, he's having a struggle speaking22:31 for himself. Again, that's Proverbs 31 verse 8. And, again, the the, entity that I mentioned for you to just get the name for where you22:42 could get some materials is the National Center on Elder Abuse. Okay. Okay. And and I have a thought when we come back of what you an22:54 approach you could take.23:00 Are you that person everyone comes to when they're struggling? The friend everyone leans on in a crisis? The strong 1 trying to hold things together for everyone else? If that's you, then you probably know how23:12 emotionally exhausting that can be sometimes. You care deeply about people. You want to help others. But sometimes, in the middle of caring for everyone else, you realize you're running on empty. That's23:24 exactly why we created Hope Together. It's a 3 day experience designed to encourage, equip, and refresh people just like you who serve others. Whether you're a pastor, a counselor, ministry leader,23:36 or just someone with a heart to help, we'd love to pour into you this fall at Hope Together with special times of worship, biblical teaching, workshops, and fellowship with believers just like you.23:48 Don't miss the opportunity to give yourself a break to be refreshed and encouraged. You can learn more and sign up today at Hope Together dot com. That's hopetogether dot com.24:00 Thanks for listening to Hope in the Night with June Hunt. Let me ask you an honest question. What's that thing you've been putting off? Maybe it's a project at home, or at work, or it's a difficult conversation with a24:11 friend, or maybe it's a dream or a goal that you've wanted to pursue. We often joke about procrastination, but sometimes putting things off actually points to a deeper issue. Maybe for you, it's it's fear, perfectionism,24:24 or just feeling overwhelmed by where to begin. Sometimes procrastination gets in the way of the very things God is calling us to do. That's why we created our Keys for Living book called Preventing the24:35 Decay of Delay. It's an insightful and practical tool to help you discover why we often stay stuck and how to move forward. We'd love to send you a copy as thanks for your gift to Hope for the Heart this month.24:47 Your support helps more people find hope in Christ through our practical biblical resources. So So request your copy today at hope for the heart dot org slash give or text the word give to 7 0 9 124:59 9.Show more In this video 0:00 Sadness vs. Depression10:00 Signs of Elder Financial Abuse25:00 Securing Accounts and Power of Attorney45:00 Protecting the Vulnerable Elderly55:00 Resources and Closing Prayer
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