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
I pray for every one who is going thru difficult times, may the Lord begin to strenghthen you areas were you did not you were strong,continue to trust God in the times when you don`t understand and he will show up for you each and every time. He is faithful and loves you very much and would not see you in a dark place with out his knowledge and wisdom to see you through it.Isaiah 43rd chapter brings me great comfort in knowing I belong to him and he is protcting me. May the Joy of the Lord be your strength, God Bless you all.
Thank you for this website, please pray for me and my 5 kids (single dad) I moved to Peru from Las Vegas because it is cheaper and I am a “Gringo” (s…friends are great) aid with respect) I need help because I am very depressed but I do not have family help anywhere in North America. Please pray the Lord opens up doors for me to make money and as well companionship (friends, romance anything, friends are great) Please take me out of this dark pit I’m in and get rid of the depression, I have so many reasons to be alive. Thank you everyone and God Bless you all.
Goodnight
Jim and Kids
I needed this today, thank you all, and the responder from New zealand, I have children living there in Auckland.
Thank you all
Hi…Have just found your site, and plan to spend some time here each day. I live in Christchurch New Zealand, on Sept 4 2010 we had a 7.1 quake, on Feb 22 2011 we had a 6.3 which killed 185 and destroyed our city centre, and many homes. On June 13 2011 we had a 6.4, less damage though, on 23 Dec 2011 a 6, which did quite a bit of damamge to places still standing, but now considered unsafe. There have been numerous aftershocks, some quite violent. Every time we feel like we can relax we get hit by another large quake and aftershock sequence. Sleep is shallow, anxiety high, people tense, crowding dimiinishing resources. Rents are scarce and high priced, home prices skyrocketing.
I am finding it difficult to stay positive, every week it seems things get worse. We thought back in Sept about 18 months ago that things would be almost back to normal, now I can’t remember normal, and it seems that it will never come.
Please pray for me and my family, each day is a struggle, and yet we must be grateful we live here and not somewher like Haiti, I tell myself to be grateful, Thank you….ironically my name is Hope, and I am often called Faith by mistake, I want to live up to those names, and will start working my way through these wonderful scriptures and articles, and remember that the Father is in control.
This is all new 2 me!! I am severing with depression, anxiety, not belonging. I just want 2 get 1 with God!! I am out of a job need help with my son and don’t know what why 2 turn cause every way has failed! I have my own insecurities, struggling being a single parent. Not knowing what should I do. Please pray 4 me!! I am standing n da need of prayer right now! I want God 2 come a deliver me like only he can!
Thank you for this website. I found it very encouraging as I am walking through some depression right now. The article on what to do with depression, reaching out to others, will be great. I have heard that before but now am going to put my faith into action. I printed out the verses and will be reading/saying them to God. I am praying for all those others whose comments i just read who are in this valley too. I DO KNOW THAT GOD WANTS US FREE FROM DEPRESSION.. Jesus died for that freedom and i don’t take it lightly and will not let my enemy steal any more from me. I want to encourage those who are in this valley to NOT GIVE UP. I am standing shoulder to shoulder with you as we walk toward home. Stand firm with Jesus.. HE IS FAITHFUL.
LOVE IN HIM.
the book of psalms are full of human emotions and hope…be encourage to find healing, comfort, and refuge!
Memorizing scripture and speaking it loud to my self has been my weapon in every trial, sadness, crisis I’ve encountered. In addition to praying without ceasing and calling in the name of the Lord Jesus, the Father in heaven, and our helper the Holy spirit. We have a battle but take courage we will win every each one of them, keep pressing in and fix our eyes upon the Lord Jesus. We will have storm and pain in this life, but in every storm Lord Jesus is there and the storm only last for a season. It will pass even though sometimes it doesn’t feel like it
.Matthew 11:28-30 New King James Version (NKJV)
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Hello Bothers and Sisters in the LORD – First I want to pray for ALL who suffer Depression – I myself am currently suffering depression so badly – I have tried Hospitalization and just about every med there is and still suffer – The Depression and Anxiety keeps me bound with Fear and these insane thoughts of giving up… I am a Born Again Christian man who has served in Sunday School and AWANA – Why would GOD let me suffer this horrible dark black depression – I cannot serve HIM nor my Family like this…. I am trying withdraw off all the Anxiety and depression med with the help of a Doctor as they are not working – one of them I am addicted to know and suffer horrible withdrawals – Valium – Please lift me up in prayer that I can be free from addiction and depression….. My wife and daughter do not understand – I try to worship and sing and read my bible and morning devotions – it does help temporarily but then it comes back… I wonder if i am being oppressed and afflicted by the enemy… I need your encouragement and prayers…. Blessings in Christ
Sir, happy to find these scripture verses on this site, m sending some of the scriptures via SMS from our office. God bless very one who reads it.
God Bless!
Thank You
Thank you so much for these scriptures. My friend has been suffering from depression. I want to lift her up with encouragement and these scriptures are very helpful. I didn’t just copy them down, but read each and everyone. I have been encouraged by all 43 scriptures. God bless all who read these scriptures and comments. Please, pass at least a few of them to others. We all know at least 1 person who needs encouragement. If you think of someone while reading a scripture, pray for them, call them if you can. Bless someone today even if it is just with a smile. Blessings will return to you 100 fold!!
I am struggling right now. I am trying to quit smoking marajuana and abstain from viewing pornography. I have had issues with these things for what seems like half of my life. I have gone back to these things multiple times in my life after trying to quit. I need help. I am in a job right now that I need to escape from. I need a door of oppurtunity. I am trying to recover today as I right this and not focus on those things I mentioned above. That can be very hard at times. Lust seems to dominate me at times. I try to think of good things but that in itself can seem impossible. What good things? I realized that I am blessed. I really am, and that I have a livins saviour. I am just overcome, downcasted, and darkly depressed some days with my current situation. That situation as mentioned above is feeling saddled with these addictions I can’t kick, depression from lack of vision or inspiration to take up another line of work and the fact that I am LONELY. I really, really want a companion. One of the things I have most wanted in my whole life. I have no idea what to do about that but pray. I have a faith filled family that helps me, but Christian friends for myself are few. I just really want this things gone from my life and I want a companion. This page does really help but I look forward to see what you have to say.
some people really need to read the bible because it will help them become a better person.
Hi, I’m pregnant and alone. Ive been backslidden and although I’ve repented I’m very depressed. Everything is such a struggle. I want to get back into a church but I’m afraid of being judged. I’m also 45 years old. Even praying is becoming difficult as its like there’s no one there and i feel hopeless. I used to love to worship but nothing is moving me and i have no motivation. I’m also taking care of my parents a couple of times a week, I have a dog who I love and walk regularly. I have a 26 year old son who lives with me with his girlfriend.. He is saved but lost his faith because of my failings. I don’t get along with his girlfriend but put up with her for his sake. The Father of my baby is around but we are not together. He is an atheist. Says he will support our child which is good. He was my ex boyfriends best mate and 10 years younger than me. He never wanted to be with me as my boyfriend and I broke things off so I could make things right with God again. At the moment everyday seems to be really long. I wake up OK but by about 4pm I sink into this awful depression. I have no friends just my family. I feel so isolated and I’m very anxious. Please would someone out there pray for me? Thank you
Thank you for this wonderful website. God bless you abundantly and use you mightily. I have been very depressed and felt hopeless due to a terrible situation I have been in for 3 years now. I sold my home 3 years ago and on advice of Christian friend I invested it with her friends. I have lost all my life substance at the age of 58. I am a woman alone in the world and am praying God will restore everything. These fraudsters Giovanna, Anthony and Claudia are appearing in court Feb 1/12 and court proceedings are underway. They are being charged by the police of fraud. Please pray for their conviction and they will be repaid for their dishonesty. They have defrauded hundreds of people of millions of dollars. Ponzi scheme its called. I will use these scriptures to help myself. Thank you so much. God bless you and everyone who suffers with depression and anxiety too and deliver us all from evil. Heidi
Heidi,
Thank you for the comment. I am so sorry for the theft and the pain it has caused you. I do pray that the mercy and grace of God is working in your life and situation. Be sure not to be resentful against anyone. God is the one who repays individuals for things done while we are here. The unforgiveness will not affect them but it will hinder God from restoring you. They will get theirs, in this world and in the next. Be sure of that!
I thought of a scripture for you Isaiah 43:25, 26, especially verse 26:
(25) I, even I, am he that blots out your transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember your sins. (26) Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: you declare it, that you may be justified.
Read His word and speak His word. Talk to him, work it out, and then speak out your justification and restoration. He is faithful. Do your best to give Him some faith with which to work. You have a promise from the Bible (Proverbs 6:31) that says that when a thief is found, he is to repay you seven times what he stole. Now, the ultimate thief in your situation is Satan. So, spend time with God, get your faith built up, and then command Satan to give you back seven times what he stole from you through those individuals. God will stand behind it.
Also, Philippians 4:6, 7 says: (6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Even though you still have an understanding of what happened and what your situation is, He can give you a peace that covers all that pain. This will keep and protect you until your situation is reversed. Your situation is tough but it is far from being hopeless.
God bless you.
Rex
Thank you for having these scriptures at hand. My son was just diagnosed with generalized anxiety (whatever that means) and major depressive disorder, severe. He was in the Mental behavior hospital for 4 days and on meds. He carried his Bible with him and read a few scriptures each day every time he felt a bad thought coming on. Thank you for all these scriptures, this will give him something to look up to keep his mind on the positive and to rid his poor little mind of the negative of this world. I only wish I had these when I went through this myself 25 years ago. Thank You! Prayers would also be appreciated. His name is Anthony.
Tina,
I pray that the mercy and grace of God is working in Anthony’s life and your life. He is doing exactly the right thing. Get him to speak these scriptures to himself as much as he can.
Also get him to speak the scriptures in this book – In Him – by Kenneth E. Hagin. These are the most powerful at transforming lives. They all describe what Christ Jesus did for us on the Cross and what He put into us in the new birth (salvation). And one more, this confession – Confession to Change Your Life – was created by my Pastor and it has most of all the scriptures in it.
God bless both of you. You are doing the right thing. You are a great mom!
Rex
Thank you for having these scriptures.
Encouragement and clarity is needed. Please pray for me.. Thank you so much for the scriptures… You guys are bookmarked indeed!!!!
I too, am very thankful for these scriptures. I do my best to confess and intercede with them for my daughter initially, but I now do it for myself too! Thank you for doing this. Please pray for my daughter and myself with regards to anxiety and depression. For her, she’s been through a lot over the past 3 2/4 years, for me it’s more depression occasionally and not anxiety over what my daughter has been through. She was hit by a car as a pedestrian on February 18, 2008, and has healed 100% physically … praise our precious Lord. But she’s been through a lot of challenges since then with unhealthy people in her life. Also, please pray that any family and/or generational curses will be permanently broken in our lives and any demonic/satanic forces will be broken and bound in our lives in Jesus’ most mighty, precious and powerful Name. Amen! < Thank you in advance and may the good Lord, bless and give supernatural favor and blessings to all that read this!
I suffer from depression and I turn to God for deliverance..This site is bookmarked because it has been a blessing to my spiritual life and I pray and I know that this site will continue to be a blessing to others.
Awesome, keep putting that truth and hope out there. The world needs the Lord.
Thanx 4 this info i need the Scriptures 2 intercede for someone under serious attack of depression, please pray for ‘Petro’ as well.
I am under stress and depression please pray for me.
I just saw your prayer request. I will pray for you by name. Please let me know how you are doing?
absolutely love this post!! how encouraging. Praise God.
Just wanted to say I really liked the post. You have really put a lot of time into your posts and it is just wonderful!