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
First of all depression is a medical condition and the statement that it’s just my choice is offensive. I have had depression all of my life and I’m exhausted and at my end. I have prayed these scriptures and God doesn’t listen and he doesn’t help. God created me this way because he wanted me this way. Faith has proven worthless as far as my depression is concerned. It’s not a choice because I would choose not to have it. I see patients come into the hospital with things like sickle cell anemia. They didn’t cause this or choose this. No, God created them this way because he wanted too. I guess though it’s their fault right? I don’t have the energy or motivation for small groups, socializing or analyzing all of the contradictions in the Bible. God doesn’t give rest to those who are weary or comfort. I’ve been waiting for that support for 30 years. The facts are that Jesus has left me for dead.
Kim, I don’t really know what to say, I just know that it will get better. For now if you have to play the mothers game to see your grandchild, do it! In the process you may even build a closer kinship with her that will ease things in the future. Read and pray and know that God absolutely will not forsake you. Blessings.
I found my 36 year-old son dead in bed – clogged arteries. He’s been gone a year now. He left behind an ex-girlfriend and their toddler son whom I was seeing twice a week under her supervision. When she gets mad at me, I’m not allowed to see my only grandchild. It’s now been 3 1/2 months. I’ve been taking anti-depressant medicine for several months now and at first it helped but not anymore.
Return this behavior with complete Christian-like behavior. Turn the other cheek, and perhaps your grandson’s mom will be turned to compassion.
Rachel.
I too made huge mistakes in relationships, wanted to die but couldn’t follow through, and believed maybe I was cursed to live a life like that. I believed I angered God too, and that he could never fully forgive me for what I’d done or allowed myself to scumb to. The truth is, Jesus died to give you full forgiveness. He suffered from the pain of death, humiliation and mocking, rejection of his precious father, and lowering himself to the place of man so that you can call God your Abba Father! (Rom. 8). at the cross, all of our sins that we have done or will do came upon Jesus. He suffered with that pain of sin and the feelings that come with them. He feels your pain, he knows your sin, he despises sin…but he loves you so passionately and incredibly that he submitted himself to that torture to save you. No matter what you have done or do, your Heavenly Father forgives you and wants you to forgive yourself too. See the beauty of Jesus! Jesus is your lover, your Savior…your joy. Just whisper his name; talk to your Heavenly Father about everything and thank him for hearing you. Remember…he will never leave you, even in the shadow of death. All Jesus and your Heavenly Father want you to do is to believe this.
I believed in God all of my life and still made horrid mistakes and wanted to die because of them. I felt alone and abandoned. I started listening to sermons by this man: Josephprince . com. The message of pure grace saved my life. Listen to him or check out his resources. I was cynical at first, but my life changed completely since.
Jesus died to take that sin from you. You believe in Jesus? Then do not dwell on your mistakes any more. It is finished. Your curse of the law that you deserved has been paid for by Jesus’s blood – you are now spotless and clean before God. He cannot remember those sins any more. He wants you to realize this and believe that you are righteous not by what you’ve done or what you can do good, but by what Jesus did FOR you. You can’t earn righteousness. You cannot save yourself from the curse. Jesus already did that. Just believe in Jesus. Yes it’s truly that simple. Your job is to believe. Even if your belief is as tiny as a mustard seed at first, that’s still belief. Rest in the Lord’s unending, uncomprehendingly, overwhelming love and joy for you and your life will transform. You believe in Jesus and what he’s done, rest in the fact that your sins are forgiven, fill yourself with God’s word, and your life will follow in the light. The presence of grace drives all darkness away. That is grace – that is the gospel.
“There is now no condemnation – no adjudging guilty or wrong – for those who are in Christ Jesus…for the spirit you have now received is not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption in which we cry Abba! Father!…who shall separate us from Christ’s love? …for I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: clips from 1, 15, 35, 38. AMP
Peace be with you sister. <3
You WILL get through this transitional period of your life for sure . All things new all things possible . When it hurts remember the joy you deserve and liberation you will feel in time from this experience
It made me sad to read what you wrote, Rachel. I’m praying that you get some peace. I feel depressed a lot too, which is why I passed through this site…I would encourage you to take the medication until things even out. Better that than the alternative. People care about you! Hang in there!
To Rachel and Everyone – here is a recent prayer from my Pastor that really struck me, it is so true that the worst prison we can be in is the one we make for ourselves. “Come into our emptiness, gracious God. We feel empty because we have shut you out of our lives. Break through our pretensions, Holy One. We pretend to be powerful because we have not claimed the peace that is available deep within when You dwell with us. Quiet our grumbling and complaining. We are impatient because we have focused on things not on You. Enter our lives with the foregiveness You have promised to all who are truly sorry for their unfaithfulness. Release us from our self-created prisons. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”
Gil, your depression is understandable but remember it is only temporary. Focus your thoughts on God, read the scriptures and comments here, and make staying strong for your daughter your chief objective. Thinking of others really does help us get out of our depths and makes us stronger to resist life’s arrows in the future. Blessings
I’m am 50 yrs old and suffering from anxiety which turns into hopelessness at times . Going through divorce, 1st holiday season separated. My 10 yr old daughter is my only joy in my life right now. Started meds for depression but starting to think it was a bad idea…. being praying very day that the Lord Jesus Christ gives be the strength and clarity to get past this..
Never forget that Satan is alive and well and depression is one of his weapons to allow entrance into our being. Seek strength in Christ.
The love you desire to feel from others must first be felt within toward yourself and prayer can help you .you are special and a gift from above . Never forget that
Depression tries to steal your joy . We won’t let it in Jesus name amen
I’ve been depressed since I was a teen. I’m now 34 and still feel lost,empty and anxious. I’ve been out on medication which I’m reluctant to take in case I become dependant. I want to die,but just can’t bring myself to take my own life. I’ve had a series of abusive relationships in which I ended up making big mistakes I regret every second of each day. I sleep all day,can’t eat or bath unless I have to go to work. I am lonely too,and it’s not helping. I just need peace with my poor choices and relationships I hopped in and out of trying to fill the void. I’ve never been loved the way I hope to and wonder if I’ve soul ties or under curses?
Prayers please.
Thanks
Katlego
I’m 29 and have a six month old . I experienced tough post partum depression in which I am healing from . I ended my relationship with the father during my pregnancy and experienced my battles alone. I was in a very dark place not knowing how I would ever get well to raise my precious baby. I called on this site and Rex prayed for and with me many times . I haven’t been active on the site for a while but your message just came to my email and I feel I was meant to see it as I can relate . Love ,suicide is not an option . You will come out of this and there will make a way out of no way if you hold on. I know it does not feel so now and it never does when you are drowning in it but your faith is being tested here and u have to keep every crevice of it that you can . I am slowly learning that a baby is a gift and god will not bring forth the life of a child without the knowingness that they will ultimately be taken care of . You will be the example of what you did not receive and shower your baby with love . If dad is depressed and wants to seek growth on his own , let him. It may be what he needs to come back stronger . You must know that everything happening now is part of a larger purpose and it will all make sense later . Use us for support .it hurt to my soul to hear that my baby needed me when I was so weak and depleted because I felt I had nothing left but it really is the only reason I’m here today
Use your baby as your vessel please
I am a christian and I am depressed and I ask for your prayers.
Derik, I don’t know your circumstances but am sure you will find inspiration and comfort from these scriptures and comments. Keep in touch.
Derick – Don’t give up and don’t let the Devil lie to you and get you to do something hurtful. The goal of his lies is to kill your hope and motivation. Read the word of God and get the scriptures into your heart. They are life and they will produce hope in your heart. Hope is what motivates us. We are praying for you and we love you. Rex
Katlego, I am so sorry for all you’ve had to go through and your feelings of hopelessness . Do you have a local church where you can speak with the pastor? He should be able to counsel you and can also give you local Social Services info, if you’re not already using them. You have a lot to deal with but remember that God treasures you and you should, too. You are worthy of a better life but you must take the steps and put yourself first because you won’t be able to help anyone, especially your baby, until you do. Please get help, it’s there waiting for you, and remember that God loves you unconditionally and there is a better life in store for you. Speak to Him and never lose hope. Please keep in touch, we care.
hi my name is katlego i’m 26 years my life is been hell since i was born, i ws teased by friends cause my mom was deaf, she raised me with social grants and my father came into my life when i was 13 he showed he loved me but it didnt last cause i didnt finish school. i dnt know it was real love or what. he started insulting me telling me how i’m going to die like my mother with hiv, he didnt buy me clothes everytime i asked for clothes he would tell me i have food on my table thats all matters but i continued staying him thiking maybe things will change. now i have child the father is not working and verry depressed cause he cant support the child and im also not working so he is thinking of living the town but he doesnt know were hes going. i want to go to school and do something with my life. i have a child now to look after i dont wish her to grow up like me i dnt want her to grow up without a father like i did. i want her to have a better future. i dont know what to do i want commit suicide for both of us me and my child i think of smoking marijuana but i dont want to get there. where is God i sometimes wonder if he can hear my cries i sometimes loose hope of life because God i seem not to find Him. please help me. i think for me to be here is for a reason
TOO ALL WHO ARE BATTLING DEPRESSION LISTEN TO THIS SONG ON YOU TUBE BY GRAHAM COOKE CALLED INHERITANCE AND LISTEN TO IT OVER AND OVER AND OVER!!!!! GOD LOVES US AND IT’S TIME TO RISE. I TOO KNOW HOW YOU ALL FEEL!!!!
thanks for sharing the graham cooke suggestive video!
I’m a 19 year old female, and fell into a deep depression a year ago, after a series of awful events: my brother fell victim to an ice addiction that is still destroying him, my best friend dropped me out of the blue, and I was an an emotionally abusive relationship.
I’ve had my downs, as well as my ups – and have been getting better and feeling happier, but tonight I really fell back into the hole. It’s 1:48am as I write this, and I’ve been lying in bed for the past 4 hours crying.
But reading through these verses and this post – has completely stopped the aching In my heart, and my eyes are completely dry.
There is hope, and God is with me. Thank you for reminding me of that tonight x
Hello my name is Brandi. I’m 28, no kids,unmarried and have been depressed for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been an introvert and very quiet only few close friends. My parents are very loving, supportive, and I thought over protective, but still I was sexually abused and they have no knowledge of it til this day. I just could nvr face telling my dad or hurting my mom so I kept quiet. I’ve coped in many ways looking back now I see how it affected my choices in men. I recently got out of a 6 year abusive relationship, and although I’m free I hate myself so often. I feel I failed myself, my parents, my now boyfriend who deals with my cries at night or rants towards him. I feel so ugly and so angry inside. I flip out n cry over the smallest things.I graduated with my Bachelor’s and started a new career last year. I was on a cloud. Then I lost my job, was out of work 9 months, and now I have a degree and work at a call center. I feel like a failure. My heart hurts,and the only thing worth living for is my family. I actually attempted suicide Friday. By the grace of God I’m alive, but I feel so dead inside. The Christian in me doesn’t want to go to he’ll, but the pain says what are you fighting for. I came from a good family, did the work, was a good girl, why has my life been full of abuse and disappointments? I hate it. I came here looking for scriptures to sleep. Marijuana has been my remedy since I was 16. I haven’t smoked since the attempt. I JUST WANT PEACE! I reading the scriptures, but how do I take the pain and self hate away. The disappointment in my choices. Just asking for pray and a little guidance because I believe the Lord sent me here for a reason.
Brandi- I’m so sorry to hear about your struggle. I am not a therapist or anything but I do want to tell you that there is hope. And while you may have to fight a few battles the war has been won because of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I believe that the battle you are fighting is in your mind against the spiritual forces of evil.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
Please don’t give up. I recommend you read the book “Battlefield of the Mind” by Joyce Meyer where she talks about how to fight the battle we all face in our mind. Everything you feel come from attacks of the enemy and you have to fight back. Please know that everything you feel is not always true and in your case it sounds like everything you are feeling is definitely not true!! You have NOT failed yourself or your parents. You are NOT a failure, you are NOT ugly.
Bad things happen to us sometimes and many times we want to know WHY!? But we won’t always know why and I am sorry I can’t tell you why bad things happened to you besides the fact that there is an enemy out there who is here to kill, steal and destroy but also KNOW that Jesus came that you may have life and have it to the full!
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
I also recommend you sharing all this with your family or church group. You need people to walk along side you on this journey. People who can encourage you and love you through this. The pain may not go away from one day to the next but I believe you can find healing through the word of God. Share your struggle with people. There is healing in that!
Praying for you.
Brandi, God has already forgiven you for anything and everything that you are feeling guilty about, so you must forgive yourself, too. Everyone of us has felt like you to some degree or another and the struggle to cope is constant but we have to acknowledge that Satan is just waiting for our weakness so he can walk in and deprive us of the joys of life. So we must turn to God. I hope you have a good pastor or supportive church group and a good therapist, if not please get going to heal yourself. Life has much to offer you, you are in control, don’t let anyone (including yourself) defeat you!
Patrick, I decided to follow the link to the article you mentioned – wow! Thank you.
Ron, as you read through the posted comments here you will see that we all have felt alien and alone (that’s why we’re here!) but have gained strength through reading and really listening to the words of God and through the support of each other. Try to give thanks to Him for at least one thing each day and let that guide you. You are stronger than you think and with God beside you, what can you not do? Blessings
I’d known of course that life occurrences affect my feelings but if I’m truly honest, it’s I who affects me the most. Struggle to avoid my inner pits may be day to day but each day there is a bit more light. This site has been a source of tremendous comfort, hope and faith. Stay with it.
Hi just found this site.very helpful to kmow you are not alone.
keep praying for relief.
Ever day a struggle at moment.
Hope we all feel touch of God’s healing love.
Amy, I spent 18 years doing work I loved but realized it was a job I’d come to hate, maybe that’s what you’re feeling. It seemed like I was so isolated and everyone else was in a tight club, always excluding me. Although I’ve come to realize that I was probably more responsible for the situation than the others were, it became unbearable so I left. Whatever the cause, if your job is causing so much stress consider finding another one or at least another way to support yourself until you find the right place for you. Until then, remember that you and God are the only really important ones about whom you should be concerned, and you know He wants only the best for you so you should, too. Find strength in these scriptures and the support of everyone here. Blessings.
Hi I’m Amy and I’m been very depressed over the competition and stress at work from work issues, boss and colleagues. This only made me more and more sensitive and over emotional until I have problem coping with my emotional feelings over every single work issues. This is unhealthy as I feel I’m so lousy and made me withdraw even more from speaking up. I find to the point it’s pointless to even speak when I cannot win over others in debate and I rather just quietly absorb it in internally. Over time this ended up hurting my emotional self and losing my self confidence and self worth. I am utterly upset when colleagues perform or am more vocal and yet it made me feel worse of myself as I just can’t be so vocal just seem so lousy. everyday I just fear my colleague get promoted before me which I tot will made me feel even worse like it’s end of the world. I hate myself for this over emotional feeling as I know I’m the only one getting upset and no one can tell. Worse is I tell myself even if I get upset it won’t make me improve but I just hate myself for unable to control myself to stop getting depressed. I want to try to be better and vocal at work but I just find so challenging cos by nature I’m soft spoken. Praying for God miracle deliverance. Will appreciate if u can keep me in prayers too. Thank you so much.
Amy’s story is DEFINITELY one which I can relate to. I had thought that I was someone stranded on some remote island while facing and fighting this life- controlling and deadly disease. Pray for me as I pray for others. I NEED God’s strength to see me through.