Bible verses about
Despair
It is tempting to despair when faced with the human frailty, hopelessness, godlessness, misery, and woe that stem from a planet steeped in sin. But God whispers to us, drawing us out of our despondency. “I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” He says, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 WEB).
When despair threatens to overwhelm you, cling to Jesus. “In the world you have trouble,” He said, recognizing the difficulties we experience here on earth. “But cheer up! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 WEB).
When I am overcome with despair, I will cry out to God and He will hear me
Psalm 42:5-6
Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence. My God, my soul is in despair within me. Therefore I remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon, from the hill Mizar.
The Good News of Jesus overcomes all earthly trials
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.
Worrying about my legacy when I am gone is no reason for despair
Ecclesiastes 2:20-21
Therefore I began to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor in which I had labored under the sun. For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, with knowledge, and with skillfulness; yet he shall leave it for his portion to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.
The joy of Jesus overcomes anything the world throws at me
John 16:33
I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.
God will bring me out of my despair; He has my benefit at heart
Jeremiah 23:3-4
“I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they will be fruitful and multiply. I will set up shepherds over them, who will feed them. They will no longer be afraid or dismayed, neither will any be lacking,” says the LORD.
Though I may despair at the dangers of this world, God delivers
2 Corinthians 1:8-10
For we don’t desire to have you uninformed, brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of life. Yes, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us out of so great a death, and does deliver; on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us.
Following God saves me from despair when things go badly
Jeremiah 10:2
The LORD says, “Don’t learn the way of the nations, and don’t be dismayed at the signs of the sky; for the nations are dismayed at them.”
Prayer combats despair
Luke 18:1
He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up.
Even in my despair, my faith in God sustains me
Job 13:15-16
Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him. This also will be my salvation, that a godless man will not come before him.
Separation from Christ contributes to despair; drawing close to Jesus changes everything
Ephesians 2:12-13
That you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ.
