Depression is real, and if you are fighting it you are not alone. Depression seems to have been the bane of many of life’s great leaders. In the Bible, Moses, Elijah, David, and Job all had to deal with it. In the secular world, Sir Winston Churchill used to call depression his ‘black dog’, and Ernest Hemingway referred to it as ‘the artist’s reward’.
President Abraham Lincoln battled depression and suicide all his adult life. There were times when for his own safety Lincoln would not allow himself to carry a knife, for fear that he would hurt himself, or worse. Read about Lincoln turning to the Bible to relieve his depression. Let the Scriptures help you just like they have helped so many of us. Sometimes depression can be a purely spiritual thing, read this – Depression Is a Spirit – It Must Be Fought with the Word of God.
Depression is the physical and emotional result of hopelessness – the ‘feeling‘ of hopelessness. We live in a world devoid of hope, and depression is the emotional product of that reality. The only thing that will actually change one’s life sufficiently as to destroy the cause, mechanics, and effects of depression is God’s hope and His word of hope. The answer is to get God’s hope back inside of you.
Hope will let you again see the ‘future positive possibility’ of your life. Without seeing it you will have no motivation or strength. The good Word of God, and the good word of others to you, can change the outlook and condition of your heart. Fight for God’s outlook with all you have. Fight it with the Word of God. (Also, confess the scriptures on Hopelessness.) Anyone who is among the living has hope.
God’s hope encourages, motivates, and keeps you on the road to faith, peace, and victory. And if you suffer from deep ongoing depression, get help. And please read this – Helping Others Is God’s Prescription for Depression. Send me a comment, we love you and we want to help you. You are important and you have value. You are not alone. With God’s help, you will climb out of this hole.
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down (depression), but a good word cheers it up. Proverbs 12:25 Holman Christian Standard Bible
These scriptures on depression will give you hope and will build your faith. Confess and meditate on them to win the fight against depression. The key is not losing Hope. Allow the hope of God to seep back into you. Remember, there is a real Person (God) behind each and every one of these promises. He promised them to you for a reason – to help you.
Deuteronomy 31:8 – The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 33:27 – The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
2 Samuel 22:17-22 – He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters; (18) He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. (19) They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. (20) He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me. (21) The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. (22) For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
2 Samuel 22:29 – You are my lamp O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light.
Ecclesiastes 9:4 – Anyone who is among the living has hope.
Psalms 9:9 – The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Psalm 27:14 – Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalm 31:22,24 – You heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help… Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 34:18, 19 – The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (19) A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.
Psalm 37:23-24 – If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumbles, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Psalm 43:5 – Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God.
Psalm 55:22 – Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 62:5 – Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
Psalm 126:5 – Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.
Psalm 143:7-8 – Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I’ll lift up my soul.
Psalm 147:3 – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 145:14 – The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
Proverbs 12:25 – Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down (depression), but a good word cheers it up.
Isaiah 26:3-4, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusts in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. (Perfect means complete. If I keep my part of the promise by staying steadfastly focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, He will keep His promise to give me His perfect peace. See also Philippians 4:6-7 below)
Isaiah 35:10 – And the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away
Isaiah 40:31, But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 53:4 – Surely he took up our sicknesses and carried our sorrows.
Mark 9:23 – Everything is possible for him who believes.
Romans 4:18-22 – Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall they seed be. (19) And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: (20) He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. (21) And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able to perform. (22) And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
II Corinthians 7:6-7 – Nevertheless, God, that comforts, those that are depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; (7) And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
James 4:8 – Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:10 – Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
2 Peter 2:9 – The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials.
1 Peter 4:12 – Dear Friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
1 Peter 4:13 – But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed
1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Read how Lincoln Turned to the Bible to Manage His Depression and other articles: Scriptures Against Hopelessness – Scriptures Against Worry – New Testament Scriptures on Faith & Believing – Do God’s Promises Cover What You Want?
Comments
This came at just the right time, thank you! I’ve been trying to recover post-hospital but am not getting any strength back. I don’t even have the energy to talk on phone or have Pastor visit and I miss church so much. Every night I think I must be a wimp b/c it shouldn’t be like this and the next day I will get out but then I have trouble walking from room to room. Sleep is at best 2-4 hrs every day, I lie there recalling Rex’s words, scriptures, Pastor’s prayers and hymns. I know God will not forsake me. And for that I give thanks.
Kay – You will make it. Keep putting one foot in front of another and one word in front of another. How do you want on water? One word at a time. We love you. Rex
This was a good read. I cried as I read it as I’m still feeling like there’s no relief for me in sight. I’m trying to hold tight to my faith. Getting out of bed is becoming harder and my sleep is suffering. All I can think is how did this happen after coming home with my precious baby. I’m supposed to be at my best. It pains me so bad.
Lily – First thing that comes to mind. Give up the guilt of not being perfect. You say, “I’m supposed to be at my best.” We are all screwed up. Jesus is the only one that isn’t. Only He makes sense. “How did this happen?” – It is a demon. Speak to it and don’t speak anything else. Remember, turn it over to God, rebuke the devil, and live one day at a time. We love love love love you. Rex
Oh, and you don’t have to talk or beg God into helping you so stop. Oh#2, your feelings are lying to you. Oh#3, relax and read some of the other story like articles that may jump out at you. Relax and let God seep back in like into a sponge.
Lily, if God forgives us, who are we not to? Blessings
God does not give up on his children , and we can’ give up on God.
Yes, God does not give up on His children. The devil does everything he can to make us ‘see’ or ‘feel’ like God has abandoned us. It is something he and his demons scream at us every day, along with fear and intimidation. Hopelessness is the loss, or blindness, of hope, and without it, we have no motivation, no joy, and no expectation of God working.
Hope and faith take effort. They do not just come. The Bible says that ‘Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the (spoken) word of Christ.’ They come. Most people are taught that God is sovereign and everything is done by Him, and if it turns out wonderful, well it is because He willed it to turn out wonderful. We had no part in it. But when things turn out poorly, well, there must be some mystical God’s will doctrinal theological meaning to it all. It has to be God’s will, choice, or fault. It cannot be us.
We live in a world dripping in evil, pain, fear, and hopelessness. Now, we can talk later about why that is the case but that is the reality. The Bible tells us how to get out of this ‘steal, kill, and destroy’ reality and to enjoy a new reality, one of ‘life and life abundantly.’ But it doesn’t just happen because we want it or need it. It comes by faith in God. That requires effort and time. It is a journey. Most want the results but they do not want the effort. The evil that many of us have lived in all our lives does not go in an instant or change by someone from a website (like me) praying some one-time prayer. The Bible is full of teachings about perseverance, diligence, continuing (in the word), etc. That is what this website is about – teachings and tools to help people go down the road to happiness and get answers themselves.
And yes, many beat themselves blue with effort but are going in the wrong direction. We have to learn His heart and His ways. God is a good God that has decided to require faith and obedience prior to His hand moving. He tells us how through a God-breathed Book and the voice of the Holy Spirit.
We cannot give up on this journey. He is will never give up.
Enitan,
Prayers are sent your way! Do not give up! You can find the strength and courage to keep going through God. Go to Him Enitan.
I am praying! God bless! ♡
The bible passage that ministered to me is 1 Peter 5:7
I have been struggling to enter medical school for the past 5 years,, my whole family has written me off. It’s not like I am not trying or studying hard for it but the problem is I have completely lost confidence in myself and I feel like giving up.. Nobody knows anything about me not even my family, I have been living a lonely and secretive life since I was a child. Please pray for me for God’s mercy and compassion over my life so that i can have a good cause to smile again cos I feel so down now I don’t think I can lift myself up again. Thank you ??
Your family may have written you off but when you Jesus as your Lord and personal savior yoou became a New Creature in Christ. God has Never left you and if you stay focused on him and what he says about you he will continue to cover you and take care of ALL of you burdens.
Stay Encouraged and you must Know that he is the light in the mist of darkness.
Lilly,
I am praying for you sweetie.
Depression isn’t easy and your situation must be so incredibly hard…
Kay is right though; listen to Rex, he is very wise.
Kay,
I am so glad you are out of the hospital!!!! Bless you
This may bring hope to us all.
Prayer can help and we must have faith.
Thank you for this article!
Lily, listen to Rex! He is so faithful and wise and understands depression, truly the “lies of the darkness”.
Rex, I am home from hospital but recovery will take longer than expected. Meanwhile, the night demons crawling in my stomach as I pray for blessed sleep have caused me to talk more deeply with the Lord, I remember your words, and I know that once this is over I will be even closer to God. Love and blessings
Kay – We love you so much and we are praying for you. I have heard that New York pizza will get rid of the demons crawling in your stomach. Maybe not… I pray that your sleep will be sweet and full. rex
Thank you. I don’t want to believe the lies. I don’t want to fall deeper
Thank u
Just know that we are with you in the spirit every step of the way. We love you and we are with you in every way. There is darkness and gross evil in the world. We are believing that it will have no power over you in Jesus Name. Relax and let God love you and put hope and peace back into your soul. Don’t beg Him but expect Him to do it. Let yourself (make yourself if need be) see goodness and expect it.
Remember, you have no past, you are expecting a great future, and you are living one day at a time. With God by your side, and as much of the Word of God that you can put in your mouth, start moving forward.
Point your finger toward the darkness and tell it to go to Hell and call it the worse word you can ever use. Then smile at God and tell Him that He and you are going to make it. We are going to make it in Jesus Name. Rex
Kay, my prayers are with you. Please hold on. Please.
You are a gift meant to live.
I’m really in a bad place . It’s haRd to care for myself and the baby. I don’t know how I ended up Back here. I’m in a desperate place .
I am praying for you kid. We love you. It is darkness speaking lies to you. Rex
Thank you, I missed yall too.
I had to take some time away (which turned out to be more than expected) to just figure out where I was going with life, figure out what exactly I believe and just sort through all the things that are going on. If I didn’t I would’ve probably gone crazy.
I’ve been volunteering a lot with animals lately.
Someone poisened this poor dog so he is super protective and trusts no one, and earlier this week he came up to me and stuck his head between my arm and now we are inseparable 😛
It breaks my heart what happens to some of them though. And how much it takes to earn their trust after that
I thank God for the scriptures. I feel like I was in denial of depression,but I have been feeling very heavy and useless. But thank God for His word that brings hope,
Kay,
Oh sweetie 🙁 I’m so sorry 🙁 🙁
It breaks my heart to hear that!
Just please try to remember that God works in ways not known to us.
While our plan leads to happiness and comfort in this world; His leads to eternal happiness and comfort with Him.
I’ve had many come to me to talk, and I have told people many many many times that we live in a broken dark world filled with sickness and evil, but all the trials we face in this world lead to a eternal life with no tears or troubles if you keep your eyes on Him.
So don’t advert your eyes or attention to the pain or the negative Kay. Please don’t, keep your eyes on Him. He gives us rest in troubled times and he gives us serinity in choas. Look to Him for that Kay. I know its hard…. but my prayers (and my Pastors prayers) are with you ♡
Cold&Warm, good to hear from you and Rex. I need prayers. I’m in the hospital, am so sick, I’m almost praying to die. Please remember me.
Kay – Oh my God. I did not see your comment till now. I am praying for you. Do not give up. God is faithful and we love you. Rex
Hello once again Rex and Kay!
Thank you for continuing to spread love and hope on this site.
God bless you guys.
C&W! – Hello. We missed you and love you. rex
LeeAnn,
I am so sorry for your situation. Things like that are never easy, buy they are made a thousand time’s easier with God. I am praying for you ♡
JenC, I am glad you found this site!
People here are wonderful!
God bless you ♡ 🙂
LeeAnn, you said it so well – being human, sometimes things get the best of the best. That is evident from many of the postings here. I pray that life goes well for you and your family and urge you to read some postings and the scriptures cited here in and keep faith above hopelessness.
( Masonkeller ) I’ve been finding myself off and on for the past two months going in and out time where I’m feeling really down, I haven’t worked since February of 2016 I stopped to finish school and doing that time till May 2016 when I finish I was okay. You see I’ve just entered a field where I don’t have any experience and it been really hard to find a good job. Income is very tight no room for anything else it’s been a at home everyday summer for the kids just seeing them that way puts pain in my heart. Having to go back on government food and medical assisting after years of beening able to maintain well there is shame and not telling my family cause they are just maintaining themselves. Now school is right around the corner, uniform and soo much more the last thing I want is a hand out . But I really could use prays for the place of employment that God has for me and that in the mean time straight to maintain. I know my father has me and my family , but being human situation sometimes gets the best of the best. Masonkeller
Autumn, you are right to trust God to get you through this – always remember that we all have experienced your type of pain and we are still here!
Your words …soothing in this time of difficulty . Thank you rex. I am trying and will continue. God bless your soul and your walk with cancer I will pray upon. Thank you for understanding me . Thank you so much
You are truly one of God’s angels
Wow, first I pray for everyone that their sorrow be replaced with hope, praise and gladness. I too have been struggling recently at a few disappointments. I was duped by someone who claimed he cared about me. I have forgiven everyone and want God to take over my entire life, mind body and thoughts. My focus will be on Jesus and he is my refuge. I have never experienced this type of pain but an trusting God to get through it. Everyone else will as well. The scriptures are very helpful. God bless all.
I’ve been so down today everyone ..so afraid of falling deeper into the pit. I can only keep thinking that this time last year I was freed of the first episode I’ve ever experienced. I really can’t tell what’s going to happen in the future or what’s pregnancy hormones. I don’t want to dwell as Rex said but I just can’t take feeling so down. It isn’t fair to feel like that . Tomorrow I go in to be induced for my pregnancy and how can I get through that with such a vulnerable ND weak feeling mind and body right now. Sometimes I feel alone in this because not everyone understands
God bless everyone
I just wish I were happy like before
Lily – Pregnancy and childbirth notwithstanding, I think I know exactly what you are going through. You don’t have to be perfect in all this. Lean hard on God’s grace, favor, and mercy. You don’t have to do it yourself. Turning it over to Him is what you are to do. The next thing to do is to go to bed and get as much rest as you can. God will do the rest. Remember, one day at a time. You have no past and He has your future. Capiche?
By the way, I am on hormone therapy for some remaining cancer. I agree, hormones are a real, um, bummer. I could not use the word I wanted to. I am praying for you and we love you. You ARE going to have a great day tomorrow. Praise God, and hell with the devil. Rex
Lily, I thought of you today during church service. We sang a wonderful hymn, “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”, which actually speaks to depression sufferers in general because we are all seeking to walk closer to the Lord and we all have to keep our daily struggles in perspective, we should never give them enough power to distract us from our goal, they are so mortal but He is not, He is our reward. The words I particularly like are: “I am weak, but Thou art strong; Jesus, keep me from all wrong; I’ll be satisfied as long As I walk, let me walk close to Thee. Through this world of toil and snares, If I falter, Lord, who cares? Who with me my burden shares? None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.”
God is with us and forgives our trespasses so why should we worry? If we feel guilty or inept, God erases our faults, so why shouldn’t we? When we have that support we can get through anything. Say, “God, I’m tired of worrying, I’m tired of feeling depressed, I am so tired of being so tired! Please lift me into your sunshine.” Believe He can do it, and He will!
I pray that you and your baby are well.
Rex, this is one of your best. You continually find the heart of the matter and help us to handle it. Thank you.
Kay – Thank you so much. Your gracious words are so encouraging. We all need that, especially in the day we are heading into. We are going to have tremendous victory in the days ahead but it will take focus and the direct leading of the Holy Spirit. Exciting and dangerous go together, and Christianity, true Christianity, is no exception to this.
We love you and thank you for all your wonderfully supporting comments to the people that visit this site with needs. They need you and God needs you. Rex
I am sorry you are experiencing that. In situations like this you will have to continuously remind yourself that while you will be impacted emotionally , the decision this woman has made has become a situation that is out of your complete control. You can ask God every morning every night to give you the strength to emotionally withstand this hard time of not being able to see your flesh and blood , but also ask God to soften the heart of this woman to have compassion toward the situation. It is tough yes and you will need to pray and talk to God constantly to remain uprooted and faithful that one day you will be able to connect with your daughter as you wish. You see , there is the serenity prayer that says god grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change but this is by far more complex than that line but it can help in bribeing slight ease to you to realize that you are working with a difficult person. I will pray for a turn around for you but until then pray for emotional resilience during this time ND believe that God will turn this situation around and that your daughters purity Will never be detured in believing that you aren’t a good father. Pray for your daughter. Talk to her aloud until you are able to see her and ask God to deliver each and every word to her soul.
Hang on
We are here for you
I just stumbled on rhis website two days ago and since then my life has changed. I have a daughter out of wedlock. The mother was suppose to be my wife but she is a very hot person. She hates my mum and my family. She gave birth and till now she wont allow me see my daughter. I have lost hope in seeing her but i believe one day i will see my daughter. She wants her to believe that i dont care about her. I need wordsto be strong. What shoukd i read daily for her and be hopeful.