11 Encouraging Bible Verses about Depression

Love letters from heaven are often sent in black-edged envelopes. The cloud that is black with horror is big with mercy. Fear not the storm. It brings healing in its wings and when Jesus is with you in the vessel the tempest only hastens the ship to its desired haven. – Charles Spurgeon

Depression can affect anybody at any age, and even Christians are not exempt. It’s part of living in a fallen world where adversity and hardship are a part of life. The belief that it’s a sign of weakness, or that it indicates a lack of faith, is a fallacy.

Depression may sap your strength and make even the most mundane things seem overwhelming, but take heart. No matter how dark the clouds that engulf you may be there is hope to be found in the pages of your Bible.

While emotions can be deceiving and lead you astray, God’s Word will never fail (Numbers 23:19). His promises are truths you can count on. They are words of life that have the power to lift you up and shine light into even the grayest corners of your heavy heart.

Some key Bible verses about depression follow to get you started. Read them aloud, personalize them by adding your name to them, memorize them, meditate on them, print them out on sticky notes and place them in prominent places like your bathroom mirror, refrigerator door, or desk at work, so you can see them often and these bible verses about depression can serve as reminders throughout your day.

Bible Verses about Depression

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 and my God. – Psalm 42:11

You may feel crushed, downhearted, and overwhelmed, but there is hope for all those who put their faith in God. If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you can trust Him to see you through.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:18

Even when you can’t feel His presence, rest assured that God is always right there beside you. If you turn to Him in the midst of your distress and cry out for help, He will lift you up and strengthen you.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

Dealing with depression can be scary, but even during your darkest moments God is right there with you, and He promises to give you the strength to weather the storm.

You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? – Psalm 56:8

God sees you, and He cares deeply about every little detail of your life, including your depression.

A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. – Isaiah 42:3

Others may judge you because they don’t understand what you are going through, but God never will. He wants to nurture and sustain you.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11: 28-30

Depression may make you feel isolated, but you are never alone. You can turn to God with whatever is causing your despair. You don’t have to carry your heavy load all by yourself. No matter how weighed down you may feel, He wants to support you. Bring your burdens to Jesus and let Him carry the heavy end of them.

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. – Psalm 3:3

When you feel helpless and hopeless, remember that God is your shield. He is keeping watch over you, and you can trust in His strength even when you have none yourself.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

You may feel you are all alone and that no one understands or cares, but God does. Instead of trying to fight your way out of your depression in your own strength, run to Him for help and consolation. He cares deeply about the emotional distress you feel and wants to comfort you so you, in turn, will be able to extend this same comfort you received from Him to others who also feel weighed down by their struggle with depression.

I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. – Psalm 40:1-3

Even though you may feel trapped in a bottomless pit, you can still find stability by putting your faith and trust in God. He sees your pain and hears you when you cry out to Him, and He promises to come to your rescue. It may not happen immediately, or when and how you expect it, but you can put your hope in Him, and trust that in His perfect time, He will either deliver you out of this season of darkness you are in, or He will walk you through it to the other side.

Meanwhile, wait patiently and expectantly, thanking Him that His promises are true, and looking for small blessings you can be grateful for. Your depression will become part of the “new song” God is preparing for you to sing; the testimony He will give you to share with others of how you turned to Him in your despair and put your trust in Him, and how He delivered you from out of this dark season of your life.

Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. – Nehemiah 8:10b

Sing to the Lord even when it’s the last thing you want to do. Let it be a sacrifice of praise to Him. The joy of the Lord is your strength, and worship is a powerful tool. As you worship God your heart and your perspective will start to change, and you will feel hope arise within you.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. – Philippians 4:8

Taking time to be grateful, and to reflect on positive things can help lift your spirits.

Christian Counseling for Depression

Christian counseling involves a combination of bible verses about depression, Biblical principles, and clinical intervention. If you have questions or would like to set up an appointment, please contact one of the faith-based counselors in our online counselor directory today.

We would be happy to meet with you to discuss practical techniques for dealing with depression, as well as help you manage the challenges you face, and support and encourage you along the way.

 

Photos:
“Hope”, Courtesy of Dayne Topkin, Unsplash.com, CC0 License; “Reading the Bible”, Courtesy of Jessica Delp, Unsplash.com, CC0 License; “Good News is Coming”, Courtesy of Jon Tyson, Unsplash.com, CC0 License; “Hope Always”, Courtesy of Debby Hudson, Unsplash.com, CC0 License