Bible verses about
Depression
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,” Jesus said, “for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 5:3). This blessing, the first in a series of blessings from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” illustrates our Lord’s compassion for those who suffer from the darkness of depression.
Many in the Bible have wrestled with depression. David wrote several Psalms while in the depths of despair. Moses, Job, Elijah, Hannah, Hagar, and others cried out to God for solace. Jesus Himself, we are told, was tested in every way, just as we are (Hebrews 4:15).
As long as this world exists, so will trouble. Take cheer, however, for Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33)!
God loves and saves me, even when I am in the depths of despair
Psalm 42:9-11
I will ask God, my rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries reproach me, while they continually ask me, “Where is your God?” Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God.
Some sorrows have Godly origins
2 Corinthians 7:10
For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death.
Godly friends are sent to comfort us
2 Corinthians 7:6-7
Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you while he told us of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.
No matter the depths of my despair, I know my Redeemer lives
Job 19:7-8, 25
Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard. I cry for help, but there is no justice. He has walled up my way so that I can’t pass, and has set darkness in my paths. But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives. In the end, he will stand upon the earth.
My faith in Jesus can overcome any worldly challenge
1 John 5:4-5
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
God hears my cries, even when it seems that He doesn’t
Psalm 22:1-2, 24
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? My God, I cry in the daytime, but you don’t answer; in the night season, and am not silent. For he has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, Neither has he hidden his face from him; but when he cried to him, he heard.
Remembering Jesus’ sacrifice keeps me from utter despair and destruction
2 Corinthians 4:8-10
We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed; always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
Being a good person does not guarantee a reward of happiness
Job 30:25-27
Didn’t I weep for him who was in trouble? Wasn’t my soul grieved for the needy? When I looked for good, then evil came. When I waited for light, darkness came. My heart is troubled, and doesn’t rest. Days of affliction have come on me.
Jesus’ light is stronger than my darkness
John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it.
I can always tell God exactly how I feel
Psalm 88:3-4, 6, 14, 18
For my soul is full of troubles. My life draws near to Sheol. I am counted among those who go down into the pit. I am like a man who has no help. You have laid me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths. LORD, why do you reject my soul? Why do you hide your face from me? You have put lover and friend far from me, and my friends into darkness.
When I am at my lowest, Jesus knows exactly how I feel
Matthew 27:46
About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
God promises to strengthen me and lift me up
Isaiah 41:10
Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
