8 Bible Verses for Depression
8 Bible Verses for Depression
I’ll never forget rock bottom. Maybe it wasn’t rock bottom, but it felt that way sitting on the cold bathroom floor with the lights turned out. I was wrapping and my husband was on the other side of the locked door asking to come in. I reached up and unlocked the door, but was still crying.
Why am I like this?Â
He just helped me up and helped me get into bed. The darkness and depression had overtaken my mind and I was at the end of myself. He put me under the covers and told me that he loved me. Then he grabbed my hand. I’m sure he spoke comforting and encouraging words to me, but I don’t remember them. I wondered if I was always going to feel sad and when would this depression finally overcome me.Â
I felt like I was dying but still alive. Drowning in a sea of tears but unable to even find a life preserver. I struggled through that season with very little light and hope. Depression is a real and dangerous disease. Although I want to offer some Bible verses to help light your path, this should not replace you speaking to a friend, a doctor, or counseling concerning any depressive thoughts. If you don’t know if you should seek help or not, seek help.Â
Tweet ThisI am not a licensed counselor, but if you click this link you will find a Gospel-Centered and life-giving place to find a licensed counselor. As you seek out help and walk through this path of healing for your depression, I would like to offer some verses for you that have helped me during my seasons of depression.
Here are 8 Bible Verses for Depression
Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”
Why I Love These Verses:
I love this passage from Ruth because in it we see a woman, Naomi, who had lost her husband and sons only to return to her hometown “bitter.” Her depression is evident. I love that this story ends not in the redemption of Ruth, but the redemption of Noami. God did not bring her sons and husband back to life, but she did give Naomi a family again. God did restore Naomi’s life. Depression might take away a lot of our life, but God is a God who restores.
So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,”for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”
Why I Love This Verse:
God is a God who sees. Hagar was a slave and servant who was shunned by her mistress. Yet God saw her. Hagar’s son was not the chosen son God would use for His redemption of mankind, but God still saw and cared for Hagar and her son. God sees and cares for me too, even in my depression He still sees me and cares for me.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Why I Love This Verse:
When I’m struggling with depression it usually happens at night. So this verse has comforted me on more than one occasion. I lie in bed and whisper it over and over again. I am safe. God is watching over me. Psalm 121:3 says God doesn’t sleep. So these two verses help me know I am safe, even if I’m awake feeling sad. God is not asleep and He will grant me sleep.
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation
Why I Love This Verse:
The phrasing in this verse is so comforting. It acknowledges that I am “cast down” and in “turmoil” but I don’t have to stay that way. In fact, the Psalmist declares that “I shall…” or “I will…” praise God again. It might not be right now. I might not have any words of praise for God in the middle of the night and in the pit, but praise is coming because God does not leave me here. I will praise God again.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Why I Love These Verses:
Depression makes me feel like I’ve failed. I feel worthless and hopeless, but these verses remind me that my worth is in Christ. My portion and my heart is found in God. God is my strength when I am weak. God is my portion – just enough – and that gives me hope in the middle of the darkness. These verses help me see that my love for God is not tied to my good deeds or thinking the right things. My love for God and His love for me is based on His covenant with me and His steadfast love that never fails.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Why I Love This Verse:
God is the faithful one. Depression makes me feel like I’m not being faithful or I’m failing God in some way. I should just “Trust” more. But God’s word, and this verse, reminds me that it isn’t about my faithfulness at all. It is all about God’s faithfulness to me. And that will never fail.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
Why I Love This Verse:
When light is hard to find, I turn to God. The truth of God’s Word has held me up many nights. They have been my comfort, my peace, and my light when all around me has felt dark. I have read scripture during the day while tears stream down my face. I have listened to scripture before bed as I’ve stayed awake unable to sleep because of the depression. God’s Word not only lights up my path, it is the light for me in my darkest moments.
Rejoice not over me, O my enemy;
when I fall, I shall rise;
when I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be a light to me.
Why I Love This Verse:
God sits with me in my darkness. Depression makes me feel alone, but God is my light. This is probably my favorite verse. When I feel depressed it is like sitting in a pit and I imagine myself deep inside a cave under the ground. God climbs down into the cave with me. He sits beside me, holds my hand, and brings a lamp. Sometimes He helps me climb out of the cave, but even in the dark I don’t feel the rush or pull to get up. In fact, I feel the gentleness of the Spirit allowing me space to breathe and rest. God’s got this. God is with me. He won’t leave me and eventually we will climb out together.
