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
God desires I prosper as my soul prospereth but why am I not prospering. I wonder why I labor n harvest is thin. Debts abound. I have been holding on to my conference like lifelines and it seems God has gone silent on me. I see Mercy drops but I want showers of blessings. I thank God for my kids give me confidence that God hasn’t left me, but my husband is a man so passionate n committed to God but in enjoying financial harvest it’s sometimes like living from hand to mouth n bills keep piling up. I would like o set up a business but we are led not to borrow yet d promise of divine provision is tarrying for so long. I am just tired and fed up, what more can we do. Yet I know God is faithful but why is he so silent, it’s fills me with great sadness and u feel like just …
God desire I prosper as my soul prospereth but why am I not prospering. I wonder why I labor n harvest is thin. Debts abound. I have been holding on to my conference like lifelines and it seems God has gone silent on me. I see Mercy drops but I want showers of blessings. I thank God for my kids give me confidence that God hasn’t left me, but my husband is a man so passionate n committed to God but in enjoying financial harvest it’s sometimes like living from hand to mouth n bills keep piling up. I would like o set up a business but we are led not to borrow yet d promise of divine provision is tarrying for so long. I am just tired and fed up, what more can we do. Yet I know God is faithful but why is he so silent, it’s fills me with great sadness and u feel like just …
I Googled verses that helps with depression only for the Lord to lead me to this website I’m at a time in my life where I feel like directions or backwards I toss and turn at night wondering how did I end up alone. I’m 32 with no children a very loving and caring family that has no idea how depressed I really am ! I continuously pray for the people in and out of my life I have no boyfriend no one is the works. I haven’t spoken to my only sister Andover 5 years she chose to be in a relationship that allowed her to cut all ties with the family we were recently granted two of her children by the court of law I have tried to be a standing mom for her since day one it hurts that they can’t see their aunt and Mom together my mom is broken up with the situation as well as my father I really really really just feel like giving up
But you can’t give up, especially now when you share responsibility for the children. People will not always do what you want them to do and you must deal with your reality. Ask God for guidance and strength and he will give it, you already have his grace and that is an awesome gift. Your sister’s problems do not have to be yours. Don’t focus on what you wish could be. Be the best you are capable of being right now and I bet you are more than you give yourself credit for. Focus on going forward with His assurance and things really will fall into place, loving relationships await you. If you want to contact me directly, it’s okay for Rex to give you my info. Blessings.
Kay – I love you so much. Thanks for your love and compassion to all that need God’s help. He sees it all! Rex
Amelia – We love you. God loves you. And someone out there desperately loves you. I pray for the power and direction of God to be all over your life in Jesus Name. Do not give up hope. Expect God to do something. Talk to Him and expect from Him. We love you. Rex
I have been battling severe depression and anxiety for the last year or so. So bad that I have often thought of hurting myself…even though I know in my heart that is not the answer to my troubles. I read these verses and I am encouraged. I know that God is looking out for me and will never leave me..even in my darkest hours that I have been experiencing. Doctors and therapist all have thought that therapy and medication is the answer. Meds don’t seem to do much for me other than make me feel like crap. Therapy seems to work for a minute….but that good feeling soon fades. I have hope that one day I will feel like myself again. All I can do is keep my head up and put one foot in front of the other.
Erik, I hope you can find something to hold onto – church, short-term reachable goal – something to work toward. I do think however there is danger in wanting to feel like you remember feeling before because we all change and frankly you may never feel that way again, BUT you will feel better than you do now! We have to accept and adapt to change by moving forward and focusing on the future. Depression is a condition we sometimes just have to deal with like any other “disease” and sometimes for a while live with so we have to work with it. We have to come up with strategies and plans and honestly the best place to start is with God. You’ll find wonderful support here and know you’re not alone. Blessings to you.
Well I am a little bit of all of this or has seen all of it. Trust in God and lean not unto your own understanding. God is a on time God, he said he will never leave or abandon us, who’s report shall we believe we shall believe the report of the Lord. Everything happens for a reason and there is a testimony in all of it, but you must keep the faith. Some days I do not know if I am coming or going, but the wonderful counselor and prince of peace who knows each one of us will lead and guide us in all truth because he knows the plans he has for us, plans to prosper us and give us a hope and a future. Keep praying and trusting!
Amen!
Erik – I hear you and I know how you feel. I will pray for you. Go to our page of confessions and select one that may jump out at you. It is the word of God. Say them through sheer will and without feeling. They will work deep in your heart, deeper than feelings. Rex
As someone who has struggled with depression for the past year, thank you so much for this site. It has helped me greatly.
Depression is a difficult beast. It preys on me at times. Comes in like a fog overtaking a city. Slowly, stealth like, as in my thought process which makes it harder to see hope and promise in my future. When I’m extremely tired or hit with bad news, depression will cloud my mind and positive decision making and/or motivations do not come easy if at all. I will succumb to negative thinking and spiral downward into despair. I will feel alone and cry and turn to other means for a desperate attempt for quick “fix” like overeating or seeking out people, family or friends to rely on to make me “happy” again. I know that is futile and yet the urge is strong to continue in that direction. But TODAY, I look to scriptures, and pray to God, my wonderful Father even when I literally do not feel like doing it. It feels like I’m fighting against what is so natural for me. It is difficult. Isn’t that what Satan is trying to keep me from doing?? Turning to the One who is my Refuge? Thank you for putting this page here for those of us that struggle.
Kempa, I am glad you have found comfort here. I used to question the value of “mindless” prayer, the constant and repetitive words my pastor would preach us to practice, until I realized it was like training, the way emergency responders or service people automatically perform in crises. They’ve learned the necessary skills and are able to act without hesitation and the more they train the more skilled they become and the more they understand why they do what they do. That’s how it is with prayer. When you automatically turn to God on a regular basis, wow, the path is open for a truer and deeper relationship, it becomes your source of joy and your backbone against evil!
Kay – This is really good. It is kinda like spiritual muscle memory. In another sense, they are ‘mindless’ because they bypass the mind and go straight to the heart. God’s word is spiritual and not mental. Rex
I lik this book
Ty u Kay I hope so
I’m battling depression so bad everyday I read prayers online Constantly asking the Lord for his help am I such a sinner that he doesn’t hear me u live with a man is that keeping me from being freed from my depression
Rita, I think He loves sinners more than saints! Keep faith, He will not forsake you. Blessings
I hope God understands how difficult it is battling traumatizing events from childhood. Its the sexual abuse and neglect that are effecting me in my adult life. I hoped i could burry it through exercise and music but ive grown out of it. I dont know what to do for all the flashbacks now. I know Jesus understands but being spiritually dry is no good to him. I need to be stronger but its hard when i feel all alone inside. I hope he can forgive me while im struggling.
Kristen – God does understand. He has mercy on them for what they did (on behalf of the Devil) and on you for where you are now. That said, do everything you can through God’s power to restore your life in every way. He can do it. The Devil uses things like that to take good things out of our life and also to put bad things into our life. God can undo both. It will take work but He will help you every step of the way. Step one is to forgive them and to get rid of any guilt or shame that you may still carry. God can do it. R.T. Kendall’s book on forgiveness is the best.
Read these articles – Your Past Is Not God’s Future for You – You Cannot ‘Out Think’ the Devil But You Can ‘Out Speak’ Him – Speak Your Future To Your Future – She Spoke Her Miracle Into Being
There are others that can help. Read all you can. Just know that all the feelings and thoughts you still may have are not from God and they are not from you. We love you. God will do it for you. Rex
I love these scriptures. They are very helpful.
Marianne, I am so sorry you are suffering. Lately I’ve been dealing with the issue of how to handle deep hurt, I know I should offer my concerns and misdeeds to God but after consulting with my Pastor, I now understand that I can offer my heart-hurt up to Him, too. Of course it doesn’t totally disappear but what a feeling of ease and relief. It’s no longer totally my burden to bear. Please try to offer your hurts to Him. Keep faith. It may be hard but it will get better, God will not forsake you. Blessings
I came upon this site as I am dealing with the worst depression I’ve ever had. Been battling it for years and am tired. So many wrong things in my life right now. Finances, divorce, loss of my only sibling and friends. I hurt so much! I get crippled by this depression it is so bad. I have no one to turn to. I’ve prayed so much to be healed but it comes back. Help me.
Christine, don’t give up. God will not forsake you.
Hello, I’ve been struggling with depression my whole life. Whey I was a child I could see all the hurt and pain around me and felt hopeless because there was nothing I could do about it. Or so i thought. I believe in Jesus as the Lord of my salvation and I know in my heart that he can save me from this but for some reason I can’t control when there dark clouds come and even when I sometimes pray those dark clouds still stay to prey on my heart and mind. I feel physically tired and worn out by life and I just want to be free from pain. I’ve seen and felt so much pain in my life and I don’t know if I’m strong enough for this world. I’ve tried to be strong my whole life but I’m lacking. Please pray for me because I want to be there for others. I don’t want this to effect the calling God has placed on my life. I am not happy and I feel unfulfilled. I don’t think I’m supposed to feel this way as a Christian.
Caity, even Christians suffer from depression! You’ll find helpful words and advice here from others who honestly know how you feel. Don’t give up. Blessings
I too feel this way. I go for counselling but my mind is elsewhere. I’ve been challenged with depression for years and unfortunately was in hospital for months almost two years ago. I know this is foolish but I can’t seem to shake the memories of that time. I’ve got an appointment for another psychiatric consult but have so much fear I lay in bed all day. Yes, it’s awful saying I’m a Christian yet I’ve done nothing really to help myself. I sporadically read scripture or listen to preaching but can’t bear to leave the house. when my thoughts change, that’s when things should change. It’s hard when my family doesn’t understand.
I feel hopeless even after having prayers said for me.
Thank you for this. I receive this in Jesus name.
I prophecy to you this week..New things will be seen in your life, Something new will come to you. God is surprising you with miracles..clam it and send me message on Email (briancarngodisgood@yahoo.com) Or visit my site http://www.briancarn.org for daily prayers and thoughts of the word.
Hi Ron I hope you are better now.
Rex, thanks for letting me know. Blessings.
Brandon, Rex will answer you much better than I can, but my belief is that God is not around to give us everything we want! He does know best for us; and, if we don’t get something we ask for, somewhere down the road we’ll get what he wants us to have and it will be better. Blessings.
So why is it said to ask believe and have faith in anything u want and you will get it if he doesn’t always gives us what we want?
Brandon – I am going to email you my contact info. Rex
HOW TO DEFEAT DEPRESSION: Depression is a sickness of the mind caused by a spirit of heaviness. See a psychiatric doctor to manage the sickness., but for a permanent cure, we defeat it by word of God. (1) Tell Jesus Christ to come and save you. For in the name of Jesus Christ evil spirit/demons are defeated. (2) Spend quality time studying and praying with the word of God (bible). Pray with these verses: I Samuel 17:41-54, II Chronicles 32:7, 8, I John 4:4, Numbers 23:18 to 24, Genesis 11:7, Isaiah 49:10, 11, 12,13, Isaiah 43:4, Isaiah 49:24, 25, 26, Romans 8:31, 8:37, Psalm 140. Psalm 35:1 to 10, Psalm 121. (3) The spirit of depression is responsible for bringing painful and fearful thoughts to the mind. So you reject those thoughts by studying the word of God/bible, worshiping God, fill your mind with good thoughts and do not always be idle. An idle mind is the Devil’s workshop, so find something good and right to be doing. (4) when you do these things with Faith, the spirit of depression will flee sooner. No matter what time it takes, do not loose hope for those that wait on God PATIENTLY shall be rescued for God has good plans for everybody. Jeremiah 29:11. Do not go back to your old sinful life so that the spirit will not torment you again. Be determined to be friends with Jesus forever because he is the one fighting the battle for you. Always be involved in church activities. (5) Do not stop taking medication until God totally sets you free. Now let me pray for you: Lord Jesus have mercy on your children, forgive their sins oh Lord, be their lord and personal Savior and by your mercy and grace set them free from this sickness of depression in Jesus Name Amen. You spirit of depression manipulating their life I command you in the name of Jesus get out from their life and be cast out in Jesus name Amen. The sickness came to me for years but by turning to Jesus I am healed.
God always answers your prayers. Always. Not always with what we may want at the time. But our hope is in him. We can trust him because he cares for us.
I’m sorry, it’s beyond me. Rex??
Kay – We had a great talk on the phone. It went really well. Thanks for all you do. Rex
God doesn’t put destructive thoughts in your. head, they come from yourself or the devil, who is always lookng for our weakness, it’s his way in. Depression itself leaves us especially vulnerable. And, yes, God does answer all prayers – but – sometimes the answer is no. We never want to accept that so we think He hasn’t answered because we don’t always get what we ask for. Sometimes He has other plans for us. Keep faith.
I understand Kay but what I’m saying is what if you have faith in something happening and feel good about and you believe god will make it happen is there ever a possibility that it wouldn’t ? Because I get a hear voices in my head that say it’s going to happen but then my flesh makes me scared that it wouldn’t
Also does god always answer your prayers?