260 Hope Amidst Hardship: Breaking the Cycle of Generational Poverty

Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast

Episode Summary:

Some pro-life advocates mistakenly assume that once a pregnant woman has chosen life for her baby, the battle has been won. However, the truth is that for mothers living in poverty, especially generational poverty, the battle has only begun. These women lack resources, support, finances, and hope. While pregnancy centers succeed in leading women to choose life and providing aid through the baby's first year, impoverished mothers are then left to fight a solitary battle for the life of their child every day. Join me with Marisol Maldonado Rodriguez as we talk about hope for breaking the cycle of generational poverty.

Quotables from the episode:

• Our lifesaving efforts should not end with the saved life of the baby. We need to look at the bigger picture of the woman's life and her baby's future and seek to understand her context, the circumstances that make her abortion-vulnerable, and what she needs after she says yes to her baby's life.'
• Living in poverty does not merely mean struggling to provide basic needs due to a lack of financial stability. It is an all-encompassing condition that affects how a person feels, how they think, how they form relationships, how they function as parents, how they practice self-esteem, how they view their own future and the future of their families, and how others view them.
• We as the church have the opportunity to tell this woman that there's an option where she can choose life and her dreams as well... When we show her that we are guardians of her dreams and the shepherds of her soul, we show her that we love her, her baby, and their future. They all matter to God and us.
• Through social service referrals, meaningful relationships, and committed discipleship, we can work with families to help them build a sustainable future... Without the hands on support of committed and caring believers- something my mother and I received- women in poverty aren't able to carve a new path for their families.
• We need humility and grace to seek to understand what life looks like in this context and in the culture and communities we are serving so that we can approach them with awareness and understanding.

Recommended Resources:

• Beyond Her Yes: Reimagining Pro-Life Ministry to Empower Women and Support Families in Overcoming Poverty by Marisol Maldonado Rodriguez
• Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
• The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
• YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms
• Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals
• YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day
• YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day
• Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
• Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide
• Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip
• 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
• Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award
• Trusting God Through Cancer 1
• Trusting God Through Cancer 2
• Revive & Thrive Women's Conference
• Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.)
• Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win

Social Media Links for Guest and Host:

Connect with Marisol Maldonado Rodriguez:

Website / Instagram Marisol / Instagram Renew Life / Facebook / Twitter

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

Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube

Guest:

Marisol Maldonado Rodriguez the cofounder of RENEW life center, which seeks to pick up where pregnancy resource centers leave off in order to support women and help them overcome generational poverty. Born to a single mother and raised in generational poverty, Marisol has a deep experiential understanding of the women she serves. She has worked in pregnancy resource ministries for over 20 years, first as a volunteer and then as an urban center director. She is the parent of four adult children and lives with her husband in New Jersey.

Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson