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August 18, 2026 · 57 min · Hope in the Night
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Hope for the Heart is a worldwide biblical counseling, coaching, and caregiving ministry founded by June Hunt in 1986. We’re passionate about helping people
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0:09 The following program is prerecorded. From the Hope Center Center in Plano, Texas,0:15 this is Hope in the Night, late night talk radio offering biblical hope and practical help. This program has been on the air for over 30 years, and it's a ministry of hope for0:27 the heart. Now if you'd like to share your story of how hope in the night has helped you, you can just go to hope for the heart dot org slash story. We're collecting0:39 all of these testimonies and stories and just tales of victory about how we may have helped you through various things. Now the other things you can do0:51 on our website while you're there, you can listen to previous open the night programs, can make 1 time or recurring donations to help support our ministry, and you can also get into our resource catalog1:03 by clicking store. If you'd like to get a free sample of 1 of June's most popular books, we would just ask you to sign up for email updates. You can1:15 do that by texting the word free, f r e e, to 7 0 9 1 9. We'll send you a link and get you signed up. That way, if we have a new product or conference coming up1:27 or a special promotion in the store, you won't miss that. Well, June, tonight we're gonna be talking about depression, something that many people struggle with.1:39 So would you share with us, some of your thoughts about depression?1:44 When we think about depression, just think of the heart being pressed down, and there can be different reasons.1:55 But there is such a thing as masked depression, and that's when a person has symptoms of depression but2:07 denies that there's anything really wrong or that they are really down, they avoid2:19 being realistic about what they that their heart being pressed down. And then there's also just feeling helpless. Sometimes2:30 people believe that they have no control over a situation or believe nothing will ever change. I hear that a lot. Nothing will ever change. No matter2:42 what is done, no matter how hard they try, they can sink into a deeper depression feeling more helpless2:54 and therefore they do not know what to do. By the way, this can be called3:06 learned helplessness where in the past, they've not they've felt helpless and yet they3:17 never came up with a solution. And there are solutions. I think it's important to realize too that there are realistically3:28 certain, I'll say, factors or financial factors if there is need for3:39 resources, financial resource, and yet there are no funds available, then a person can feel3:51 desperate desperately depressed. Sometimes people don't know that there are organizations there to help them or4:02 individuals. It it makes a huge difference when there is someone that could come alongside and genuinely be4:13 of help. And that's and some people think there's a social stigma of being4:25 depressed. The the truth is you can look at scripture and find all kinds of god specific examples4:37 of godly people whose hearts were pressed down. And and everything isn't shiny and bright and, you know, it doesn't help to say,4:49 oh, you shouldn't feel that way. That is what some people do. And it may be instead they need5:01 a come alongside or somebody godly who can help them have specifics of what they need to to5:12 do. And, obviously, our God is the God of hope, and that means that there are there's intervention5:24 from God himself when we become dependent on him because there's a wrong belief. I'm so depressed over5:36 the deep hurts and disappointments in my life. They've robbed me of all joy. There's no hope for my future and there's nothing I can do about it. Now that is a5:48 wrong belief. Now they can genuinely believe that, but the right word belief is I admit I'm depressed over the circumstances in6:00 my life, but and this is for the person who has allowed Christ to come into his or her life. I'm saying this is6:12 part of what what God does in intervening in the the dark times of our lives. And it's saying God lives in me and gives6:23 me lasting hope in spite of my circumstances. I will choose to rely on him to renew my mind with his truth and6:35 to renew my heart with his hope. And it's interesting we see in 2nd Corinthians, the very 1st chapter, we felt we had6:47 received the sentence of death, but this happened that we might not only rely on ourselves, but to rely on God.7:00 Psalm 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 this7:11 ministry in 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 difficult7:22 seasons because 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 someone7:34 else who needs hope 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 story7:46 or text story to 7 0 9 1 9. That's hope for the heart dot org slash story or text story to 77:58 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 education8:23 experience get you there. Discover how at h c dot e d u 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.9:11 Welcome back to Hope in the Night. If you have questions about our topic tonight or would like to order resources, our support team can help you, and you can reach them either by calling 1 8049:23 8 8 HOPE or by texting the word support to 7 0 9 1 9. That team works during normal business hours, and they can assist you in9:35 finding and purchasing materials. Now if you know exactly what you're looking for, you just go to hope for the heart dot org and click on store, and there you will find our whole resource catalog.9:47 So if you need assistance, call us or text us. And if you're ready to order, just go to the website and start clicking. We wanna get the materials in your hands. When we talk about our Keys For Living9:59 library that June's written, that has over 100 topics, and it has everything from causes to solutions, maybe even a quick story depicting somebody that's dealing with the10:11 condition, that's in the topic. So tonight, we're talking about depression. The keys for living on depression would have a story about it, the causes, the solutions.10:23 In addition to that, June has gone and taken all of the prominent, bible verses that go with that topic, and she's pulled them all out for you. So it's like a really good10:35 bible study on top of everything. So if you hear that we're talking about something and wanna get that particular Keys For Living book, please reach out to our team. Let's get to our10:46 caller. Tonight, we'd like to welcome Orlando to Hope of the Night.10:51 Well, Orlando, how wonderful to be able to talk with you. How can we help you?10:58 Just been dealing with depression for a long time. And, you know, just life just it just I I didn't expect life to be like this. You know?11:10 I expected to be doing better with my, you know, with my life. It's like I've I've I've just been stuck for so many years, and it's11:22 I don't know. It's just it's over it's overwhelming.11:26 When when was the 1st time you can remember when you said it's for a long time? When is the 1st time you can remember feeling truly11:38 depressed, your heart pressed down?11:41 I had periods back in high school, and it's been over 40 years.11:48 40 years?11:50 Yeah.11:51 So how old are you now?11:53 56.11:55 Okay. And was there something going on that was difficult when you were in high school that you can remember?12:08 Well, I used to get bullied in school a lot, you know, because I'm I'm not a very big guy, and I was kind of12:20 a nerd. And that was yeah. That made me a target.12:24 Mhmm. But but you have a deep voice. Oh. Don't you don't sound like a nerd. But, you know, bullying12:36 is really incredibly demoralizing. And Yes. There are a there are a lot of12:48 kids in school that get bullied. Now there are people who are adults who are bullied. Many times that word is not used13:00 when it's an adult. It could just be a person who would say, I was13:13 yelled at or hit. They often don't understand that bullying can continue on. But let me ask.13:25 Is there have you been recently being bullied? Has this been kind of a pattern for you13:38 Or not really?13:39 I can't really say it's bullying, but sometimes, you know, my brother, he'll he'll give me a talking too. You know, you gotta you gotta snap out of this fuck13:51 at you in, and you have to just do better. You know? And I try to, you know, but it's like, I just don't have no energy14:03 to do much of anything. You know, when I try to14:07 avoid Yeah. Tell me about your life in terms of obviously,14:13 in14:13 school, you were targeted, and that's what goes on when there's bullying. What was it like for you14:25 growing up, like your parents? What what what were what was going on in your family dynamic?14:34 Well, my father, he was he was a very religious man. Mhmm. And he he brought us up, you know, it was14:46 it was like a 2 pronged message. He would teach us to trust in the lord, but then he'll he'll he'll tell you whole bunch of things to be scared of and,14:58 like, you know, he it was like he's he's trying to teach us right, but then he goes right back to, no. But you can't do this because this is gonna get you. That's gonna get you.15:10 The devil's gonna get you. It it was just constant constant. It was, like, we weren't even allowed to grow up a lot and15:22 mature. It was like we were being programmed. And it was bad programming because, I mean, you're just you're teaching me 215:34 different things.15:35 That's very interesting and insightful of you because what we know is 1 of the characteristics15:47 the key characteristics of our god. Our god is the god of hope. Our god who the 1 who created you, he's the 1 who15:59 says, know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a and a future. So that's biblical. That's but16:11 I I understand you said he was a religious man, yet what he did was content I'm hearing you say now you tell me if I'm wrong, that he continued to basically16:22 say, you're gonna be it's not gonna work right for you. People are gonna be against you. Evil is16:34 going to get you. Am am I getting the the basic tenor of what was going on?16:41 Pretty much everything outside of church and work was evil. You know? We weren't in hard we couldn't even hardly play with some of the neighborhood children because16:53 he he was afraid that we're gonna get hurt. We're gonna get into a fight, you know, just whatever he can we're gonna get hit by a car. It was just constant.17:05 You know, it's like teaching us to always be on alert for danger. Could never really have no peace of mind.17:16 So he looked at kind of the underside of life?17:22 Pretty much. Did17:23 you do you believe that you were influenced in a negative way that that made use I'm gonna use the word suspicious or17:35 always fearing, being being hyper alert. It's like17:42 Right.17:43 Okay.17:44 You're you're always feeling that something's gonna happen right around the corner.17:49 Well, there is truth that, you know, some people want to present that if you are like a godly person, you'll never18:01 have anything wrong. You will have only that which is you're you're you're not going to have trouble. And if you have trouble, then it's all your fault.18:13 But the Bible doesn't even present life that way. That that would not be the teaching of the Lord nor if you look at the18:25 life of Jesus, would you say that Jesus was problem free? No. Not at all. So what I'm saying is18:37 God created you, Orlando. God, when you were born, God is the creator of you, and he18:49 is the 1 who has a plan and purpose for your life. Now what we read, and I'm just gonna be personal here. When I I I did19:01 not I was not raised with a godly father. He was an atheist, so I didn't hear the kind of message that you heard. And I19:13 remember literally when I was in high school, I saw authentic Christians for the 1st time, and I was amazed. I19:25 just and these were these were people who knew the Bible, and I had never been exposed to the Bible. And I remember the 1st scripture that19:36 I personalized, it was Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5 and 6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.19:48 Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will direct your path. And I thought, oh,20:01 and and it took me a while to be able to trust in God because I didn't know the character of God. And that's a big deal.20:14 I mean, the fact that when God created you, it's it's amazing that he has his will for you.20:25 He has the way for you to go so that your life will be purposeful. And I remember I needed to be20:37 attuned to what God was like. Let me ask. Are you in a church at this time?20:44 I'm looking for a church. I've been to my sister's church a couple of times, but I'm not a member.20:51 Do you believe that that church is would be a positive influence in your life?21:03 Or do you think it oh, go ahead.21:06 Well, I would or do you think instead because see, what you've you've shared with me is you had a father, I21:18 think, who meant well, but his message runs counter to when you look at the whole council of God,21:31 what you see is God loves you. The Bible says God so loved the world that he gave his 1 and only son that21:43 whoever would believe in him, that would be Jesus, that person would have eternal life. Well, what a message of hope to I21:54 mean, how long is eternal?21:58 Forever. Never21:59 ending. Yep. Never ending. And and Orlando, the key for us is to stay connected to God,22:12 and that means there are there are some wonderful churches with godly people who are committed in a in in a positive22:23 way. If if I if I were just to hear a lot of negativity, I would know that that wouldn't be that would be like22:34 tainting the message that God would have us understand. Now what we find is when we face the trials of22:46 life, the losses in our lives, that's when we apply his truth. We'll be back.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.23:24 That's 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, ministry23:36 leader, 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 like23:47 you. 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 hope together 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 fear,24:22 perfectionism, 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 Procrastination24:34 Preventing the 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 Heart24:46 this month. Your support helps more people find hope in Christ through our practical biblical resources. So request your copy today at hope for the heart dot org slash give or text the word give to 7 024:58 9 1 9.25:10 Welcome back to Hope of the Night. If you're facing a problem and would like to be a guest on the program, please call 1 800 night 17 or text the word caller to 7 0 925:22 1 9. You just leave a quick voice mail or send us that text, and that will get the scheduling process started. 1 of our team members from the ministry will reach out to you. We'll find a25:34 time where you can join us. You have to be available between 11 PM and midnight, Monday through Friday. That's when the program happens. And except for very special circumstances, that's the25:46 only time that we have people connect with June for her to give counsel and biblical advice. So we'd love to have you on the program. The 2 things I would say is it doesn't matter where you're25:58 hearing this announcement. If you're hearing it on a podcast, you're hearing it on the live radio, on pray dot com, anywhere else on from our website, wherever it is, the offer stands. Please call26:10 us. The 2nd thing is we do not want you to try and go it alone and figure things out yourself or get down into the rabbit holes of Google or any other26:22 thing, or maybe even try to use an AI prompt and and get advice on something that you're dealing with. Tonight, we're talking about depression, but it could be anything. It could be a simple26:34 argument with a coworker, all the way up to something happened in your childhood and you're still carrying that trauma with you. Whatever it is, we wanna help you. So please reach out, get in touch with us so we can26:45 get you started. Let's get back to the call with Orlando.26:50 Well, Orlando, as I think about you, all of a sudden, I have an image. And I have an idea that you drive a car. Is that correct? Or a truck or27:02 something like that.27:04 Sometimes me and my brother share a car.27:06 Okay. Well, do you know what it's like to be driving and you look you look at the dashboard27:19 and you see an e and your car is on empty. That doesn't feel good, does it?27:30 No. Start panicking.27:34 And you can think, do I have enough to get me do I have enough fuel to get27:45 me to a service station? I remember 1 time thinking, oh, I have more time to I don't need to do that. And then27:57 sure enough, I was on the side of the road. What I'm saying is it is important what fuel you28:09 are taking in to your mind and into your heart. I'm gonna be accurate here by28:21 saying the Bible actually addresses depression. You see a number of biblical characters who had28:33 depression. Listen to this from the Psalms. Usually, it's David. Why, my soul, are28:45 you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? And then what you see so often is then all of a sudden, here's a solution.28:57 There's a problem and a solution. Put your hope in God for I will get praise him, my savior and my god. So it's29:09 recognizing that at times our soul gets downcast cast down. That's really kind of referring to sheep. I don't know if you know much29:21 about sheep. No. Okay. Well, let me tell you 1 thing that's very characteristic. Sheep can29:33 get waterlogged. They they have all this wool. And if they go to a stream and start drinking from the stream, because29:45 they are now partly in the stream, they can get waterlogged and they get top heavy and they have these little legs and29:57 they fall over. Sheep can die, literally die being cast down. So here30:09 we have this word downcast. This is you're you are not a sheep, but God calls us human beings the sheep of30:20 his pasture. So when God thinks of us, at times, it's with characteristics of sheep, and he30:32 knows we can be cast down or downcast. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within30:43 me? And here's the solution. This is part of the solution. Put your hope in God for I will yet praise him, my savior and my God.30:56 And what we see is there are multiple things that we can claim, and I'm gonna help you with this because31:10 the Bible says we are transformed by the renewing of the mind. Did you ever hear that scripture?31:19 Yes. My father used to read it a lot.31:21 Okay. That's Romans 12 verse 2. We are transformed. We're not to be conformed to the pattern of this world,31:34 but we are to be transformed by the renewing of their mind. So Orlando, what's going to be important for you is for you to put31:46 in the right kind of fuel like a car, but this is gonna be spiritual fuel for your mind and for your heart.31:57 And the Bible is clear when you pass through the waters. This is what I think is really neat in Isaiah 43 verse 2. When you pass through the waters,32:10 I will be with you. This is the Lord saying, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The32:21 flames will not set you ablaze. That's based on really having a close relationship with the32:33 Lord himself. Now does that make sense what I'm saying?32:38 Yes. It makes perfect sense.32:40 Okay. So what I think can be helpful, and I'm going to send you something like we we call them keys for living.32:53 We they're biblical counseling keys. They they help you know definitions, characteristics, causes, and solutions. We have33:05 over well over 100 then of these on different aspects of life. But since you the 1st thing you told me, you were dealing with33:17 depression for a long time. So 1 of the things that's gonna help is for you to have the spiritual fuel that you need33:29 to put your hope that will encourage you to put your focus where you're going to actually be spiritually filled, and33:40 that counters the depression that you feel. And 1 of the things that we I I33:52 had mentioned 1 scripture that I think is huge, and this is Jeremiah 29 11 where he says the lord says, I know the34:04 plans I have for you. Plans to prosecute, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Do you think that's what you need?34:16 Yes. It is. I need peace.34:19 Well, the the important thing then is gonna be for you to prioritize getting the truth.Show more
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