Depression is something that has been around for thousands of years. WebMD uses the following words in its definition of depression “Major depression is an episode of sadness or apathy along with other symptoms that lasts at least two consecutive weeks and is severe enough to interrupt daily activities” [1]. People who suffer from depression often are sad or uninterested in anything. Depressed people sleep a lot and enjoy spending time in darkness, rather than the light. God’s Word encourages us to come out of the darkness and concentrate on the things of others. This will take our focus off of ourselves and help us to find true peace and joy in serving others. I have found some things in the Bible that should help you to overcome depressing times. Take a look at these 15 helpful Scriptures.
Featured Memory Verse: Philippians 4:8 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.
God Never Loses Sight of You
Deuteronomy 31:8 “… It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste.
Deuteronomy 32:10: In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye.
Psalms 34:17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
Psalms 40:1-3 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.
Your Trust and Hope is In Him; Call Upon Him
Psalms 3:3 But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Psalms 32:10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.
Psalms 37:3-4 Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalms 42:11 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.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (KJV) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
He Has Great Plans for You; Hang in There
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present 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 in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 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.
1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
What Should I Do When I Fall Apart?
Be sure to listen to the video in the upper right of this page. ”Fall Apart” is a great song to help us realize that we need to call upon the Lord not only in the bad times — remember to count your blessings and praise Him for them too.
Sources:
The Holy Bible, King James Version
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version
“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
[1] WebMD www .webmd.com/depression/ss/slideshow-depression-overview
YouTube “Fall Apart” by Josh Wilson
Photo by Hollie Williams
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Dear all,
A friend of mine is struggling with some quite intense sexual thought she is having about random men and her ex-boyfriend.
Which Bible verses would you suggest she reads to clear these strange reoccuring thoughts from her mind?
It is rather strange and she knows that she should be sexually pure etc before God as this is what God states in His word.
Advice would be good.
Thank you,
Rachel
Reply
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I need some prayer for me and my family I have recenctly find myself falling away from The Lord a little bit I need prayer to help me I know with him everything will be ok I have zcommented before bout my past with my family I was away from my family for 2 months without any contact because of what I did to my wife she has forgiving me and I e been back home for bout 2 months now and everuthing thing is good at home today I went to court for the charge I had against my wife and the state is trying to remove me from my home permantly please pray that they would not allowed that to happen us we have a family together and they want to separate us
Frank I am praying now!
Thank You
My 34 year old son has been battling addiction for nearly 17 years. He has been clean from the illegal drugs for over a year, but he started huffing canned air and it has gotten him into a lot of trouble–even 3 weeks in jail. He was clean from huffing for 7 months and then gave in to temptation 2 weeks ago and was caught. He has been on probation since December 19, 2012 and was doing well. I am afraid he may now face more jail time. He needs help but he has been in and out of rehab many times and it has not helped. I need this demon of addiction and impulsivity cast out of him. I pray every night for him and for strength for me to get through this, but I don’t see anything positive happening and it is making me question God’s desire for me and my family. Why has it taken 17 years and still I see no hope? Please let me know if I will ever feel hope and peace again. I am 63 years old and I want to live out the remainder of my life free of this constant worry about my son. Thank you
Hey Bev, I’m sorry to hear about your son. My 14 yo son is in a Teen Challenge program, and it has been a blessing. There are adult teen challenge programs across the country. That may be a good option. Here are the hard facts: your son is an adult and has made these choices on his own. You must learn that your responsibility is over and he must face the consequences. God can see things to their end, and your son may need to fall flat on his face without any assistance from you other than your love and prayers. Drugs are the scourge of our time. Satan is using it to rip families apart. Through strength and faith you must let your son go to God.
This is great advise Trey, my dad is a graduate of the Teen Challenge program in Lambeth and is now in Bible College to become a youth ministry councellor. His testimony is very inspiring and I’m sure you would love to hear his story just as much as I would love to hear your son’s. Addiction is a powerful thing and the Devil is a hard worker… We must not let him get the best of us and we all need to fight him and trust in God. He has a path for everyone and we must do everything we can to stay on that path.
Bev, my father was 36 years old when he entered the Teen Challenge program (less willing than he should have been) and graduated a strong, healthy, and spiritually-filled man. He did not believe in God the majority of his life, and within 12 months was able to fully accept Him into his heart. Have hope for your son and keep praying for him. My Grandmother prayed for my dad every single day for over 20 years and it sooner or later paid off. My dad has now finished his first semester of Bible College and is trying to earn his degree in Youth Ministry Counseling to help troubled youth who have drug/alcohol and depression issues. He has spoken in several schools and churches ALL over Canada and has been an inspiration to so many people. You would do well to hear his testimony and have him talk to your son ( or maybe even give you a few pointers on how to deal with him in a healthy way ). The Lord has a plan, but the Devil is getting in the way. Righteousness will always win in the end, no matter how dark life seems at the moment. Remember to be strong and keep keeping on. Don’t give up on him and keep praying.
Just let me know if you ever want to talk with him and I will see what I can do for you (: Have a wonderful week and I hope at least some of what I have said to you will stick in your heart.
my friend is doing her project for a university. her guides are not proper, they do not guide her well..they keep on changing their words on project and always under estimate my friend. the final term days have almost come but her project is not yet over. plz pray for her successful completion.she is ver upset and depressed. her name is anusha
I am so lost. I can’t even see straight. My entire life has been filled with hurt, anger and pain. I was just a kid but forced to grow up fast. I forgive the ones who have abused,and tormented me. I battle depression everyday. My heart is filled with a terrible sadness I just can’t shake. I have attempted suicide several times the first time I was 8. I have two beautiful children who I love more than I could ever express. I hate myself because it’s hard for me to say I love you even though I know in my heart I love them. I was not shown love or how to love. The ones that said they loved me hurt me the worst. To hear the words I’m sorry after someone has hurt me is like nails to a chalk board. Those words have been abused to manytimes. I need to overcome this great sadness and beat this demon of suicide that is tormenting my mind,heart and soul. I am trying my best to stand strong for my kids. I know they will suffer great sadness without me I’m all they have, but no one knows the daily stuggle fight to stay in this life. I have screamed and prayed to God take me from this life. I have done no harm and caused no pain to anyone. Yet my soul is empty. My mind travels lost in the chaos of my past. I ask God why am I hear Lord what is my purpose in this place. My kids see me cry I try to hide my sadness from them everyday knowing I would like nothing more than to leave this place. When I get to the point of today is the day. I picture the hurt my kids will go through and I tell myself. You can’t leave them who will protect them from the one who hurt me. How will take care of them when they are sick. Will they know I loved them. Do they know I do now. I try my hardest to let them know. Trapped by depression. So me the way Lord free me from this pain. Heal my hurt Lord make me whole again and full of life teach me to love because I don’t know how. Lord save me from myself I am lost. I am like a ghost stuck in this shell of a body. Set my mind and heart free I am my own worst enemy. Make me whole again. Please pray for me. My kids don’t deserve this person I have become they deserve a whole hearted loving mom. Not a sad lonely depressed shell that sleeps not to deal with life.
Chrissy, In the Name of Jesus I tell you that Jesus died for you so you can have abundant life in him, I pray that the Lord will free you from all this depression, and lies that the Devil has you believing, you are a child of God, he has cleansed you with his blood, and He wants to bless you and your family. The word of God says: no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD…. Please pray now, Read the Word, and feel free to contact me… I will be praying for you everyday!!
Father, In the Name of Jesus, I declare and confess that your power of the Holy Spirit is NOW with Chrissy, I break all chains that Bound you and opress you in Jesus Name, That the Blood of Jesus cleans your soul, your mind, your life, and you receive by faith, that the love of God fills your heart, that the holiness of God right now enters your life and you be filled with his spirit in Jesus Name, and that you receive a spirit of joy and peace in his name, I confess freedom In the Lord, and that he writes your name in the book of the Lamb, and that you receive a new life in him, starting NOW, and that All things are made new….. Believe in him Chrissy, read his word because in the Word you receive strength and Life, find a bible base church and take your family, no matter what you see or feel, God can make ALL THINGS NEW…… Your sister in the Lord, Isabel
When I read what you wrote here I had tears run down my face. Mostly because I feel exactly the same way you do. You don’t even know how much. You have helped me feel that I’m not alone by sharing & I really needed that tonight. I will pray for you, and your family. Don’t give up before the miracle happens for you because it will. God Bless You.
I will be praying for you and keep your head up and keep believing and have faith sister The Lord will take care of you
Amen
I want nothing more than to be a good Christian… Really, that’s all I want right now. I know having sex is wrong but I do it anyways. I just found out I have chlamydia and believe it or not the first thing I did was thank God it was just that because, the way I’ve been it could have been worse.. It could have been aids God forbid. I made a promise not to have sex ever again before marriage. I’m so disgusted with myself. I just need a bible verse to read. Lately it’s been hard to hide my sadness. Everything bad going on in my life is nobody’s fault but my own… And I want to change my life for the better.
This message is for Bev who just recently posted her request for her son who is addicted to drugs. Bev my name is hector and i just wanna tell u that my mom prayed for me for over 11 years for me to come back to CHRIST and here i stand as a living testimony to what a mother’s prayers can do for their child. dont give up and keep fighting the good fight in CHRIST JESUS. Rom 8:28 we know that all things work together fo the good of those who love GOD those called according to his purpose.
Hello Hector, I really enjoyed what you wrote to Bev and Rather not say . Good on yeah, and keep up the great work you are putting forth to change your life for the better !! My Grandmother prayed for my dad for over 20 years for the Lord to cure him of his addictions and the night he was planning on killing himself, a bed opened up at Teen Challenge Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation centre. We are all so thankful and proud of him, and I am quite proud of you also. If you would like, I’m sure my dad would be honored to listen to your testimony, and you his. I just love bringing people together to talk about the many great blessings God has brought for them and you are a living example of that. Thank you for spreading Jesus’ love to all who need it, you are an inspiration Hector, keep it up, I will pray for you and your happiness. Try not to let temptation get the best of you, cuz you’re doing great (: Have a great week hon, hopefully you will read this and we can talk more (:
This is for RATHER NOT SAY. My name is Hector I too have the same struggles and what i want you to understand is that GOD ALMIGHTY is bigger than any problem we will ever have. Rom3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD. you see the bible says that you are not alone because there is not one perfect person in this world NO not one. Only JESUS the word incarnate was perfect when he walked this earth. 1John1:9 If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. 1thess5:17 Pray without ceasing. Just keep asking GOD in victory through prayer and you shall overcome.
hello, this is my first time visiting this website. I’ve found it by goggling bible verses for depression..I’ve bee battling depression for some years now. I’m just now admitting it to myself that is exist within me. I have three grown children, my oldest is back and forth to prison a lot, and my two youngest children stay with me but are no help to me. I’m currently unemployed for the past 6 months but upon the grace of God, I was hired with the post office but I still feel depress..I’m happy but not happy…At times, I want to leave everything behind including my kids and just start over with just me..no kids, no friends, no family, just me..As I’m typing this, I’m crying…It seems like I’m not where I’m suppose to be..I feel this everyday..Everyone is getting ahead except for me. I’m lost…I’m tired of taking care of others, worrying about their well-being, tending to their needs and forgetting about mine..I need help!!!… My spirit is tired..
Hi Tasha,
Running away from the issues will not make them go away. It may seem like a good idea, but the enemy is trying to bait you with these thoughts. If you did act on that, at some point you would be buried in guilt for leaving everything/everyone behind, and the enemy would use it to make you feel even worse than you do right now. The best solution is to face the issues head-on, in the confidence of God’s promises. Galatians 6:9 says “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” I know your spirit is tired, but I pray that you will take comfort in knowing that if you remain obedient to the Lord, He will reward you abundantly. He is not on our time frame, which is something I had to learn the hard way. You have to come to a point where, no matter how long it takes for your blessing to come, you are going to remain obedient to Him. Jesus wants us to come to Him when we feel weary, or like we just can’t go on another minute. He said in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Put on some prayer music, I suggest something like Kimberly and Alberto Rivera, you can find them on YouTube. When I really want to get on my face before the Lord and feel surrounded by His presence, that is what I listen to personally. Philippians 4:6-7 “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Memorize this because it is an anchor when you feel like you’re going in all different directions emotionally. I am telling you this because I’ve been in this valley for many months now, having to fully rely on God. My husband filed for divorce after nearly 10 years of marriage, we have children involved, I had to move out on my own with the kids and totally rely on God to meet all of my needs. And He HAS. He has never failed me yet. I stayed obedient, and I kept standing even though the enemy did knock me down a few times, Jesus picked me back up again. I am standing for the restoration of my marriage/family because it is God’s desire for restoration, He has already spoken it to me several times. Many times I have felt like you in past months, so I say these things to you because I do understand. And I pray for the Lord to wrap His arms around you and give you the peace that He has given to me. Don’t worry about anything sister, tell Abba Daddy what you are in need of, and thank Him for the blessings He has already given to you. Try not to rely on your feelings too much because they can change every few minutes. Rely on God’s Word and His promises. He is faithful. I love you my sister.
It sounds like you are dealing with a great deal of demonic oppression. The enemy loves to come in and kick us when we’re down! Based on some things you wrote, I can tell you love the Lord, but perhaps feel weary in this battle. First, let me remind you, my precious sister, that the battle is not yours, the battle is the Lord’s. As humans we naturally want to fix everything ourselves, and it is very hard to “let go and let God” as the saying goes. It took me a very long time to do this in my situation (I posted I think back in November waaaay up at the top of this)
Emily in FL
I’m a sixteen year old girl. My life goes up and down. I’m faced with so many stresses: grades, fitting in, learning how to drive, feeling pretty, etc. A few months ago I realized that I hadn’t been the child of The Lord that I am meant to be. I wasn’t praying and reading my bible. Instead I was too worried about boys and all of the “talk” at school. So I did start to read my bible and pray. Now I do it every single night, even if I’m exhausted from doing homework. I still devote myself to my savior. The thing that brought me to this website was I typed in “bible verses for depression” on google and this was the first one that popped up. Since I was in middle school, I’ve always had self image problems. Everyone always says “you’re so beautiful you have no reason not to love yourself”, “you’re so skinny, I wish I was your size”, and things like that. But when it comes down to it, you have to be comfortable in your own skin and what other people see does in a way affect your feelings but it doesn’t exactly make you see it. I’ve always been the girl to make people laugh in school. I guess in a way I’ve been popular. There really isn’t anyone I don’t talk to or don’t get along with. My point is, even the girl who comes to school and makes people laugh and keeps her head up in the hallways doesn’t mean she doesn’t hurt. Some nights she gets so upset that she thinks about if anyone would miss her if she were to die. Just because someone seems super confident to everyone, doesn’t mean they are. If you’re someone who judges others, stop. It’s not our place to judge anyways. And if you so happen to be a girl, or boy, who is going through my same struggle know that you’re not alone. Sometimes it helps to simply know that you’re not alone. And talking to The Lord will help you. He lead me to this site and I already feel better because I was able to express myself without feeling judged. To end things off, I’ll leave with a bible verse that has gotten me through a lot lately. “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but The Lord looks at the heart” 1Samuel 16:7
Amen…it’s awesome for you to be so young and have a strong relationship with God…contiue to hold his word in your heart…My the bless and guide as you become the Godly women he created you to be
I’ve been going through depression for the past year and a half. My home is in foreclosure and there’s nothing I can do about it. I lost my job and still not able to find another one. Im in serious debt and my 3 yr marriage is on the rocks. I feel like I have the world on shoulders and it’s bound to fall off. I pray and pray but nothing seems to happen. My depression is getting worse and I’m even contemplating suicide. I’m lost, scared and most of all drained. I have nothing else left within me. I don’t know what else to do, I just don’t know.
Julien, I saw your message, and right away started to pray for you… Please her me, when I say that there are things that happen to us, and sometimes we don’t know why, everything happens for a purpose, and God always brings us though, Be strong, There is a prayer group also on Facebook, and I will add your name so when women of God, get together with you!! you know what could happen, please feel free to look us up… its called womens bible cafe…
I will have you on my prayer list….
Izzy
I’m a widowed mother of the 3 with my last son not being my husband…I have been suffering from depression for 6 years with good days and bad days…recently I found out my son’s father will be going to prison for some years currently he has no involvement in his life and I see him weekly at church with his new girlfriend…lately I have been feeling abandon,angry,weak,tired and frustrated…I have endured so much heartache and pain and it keeps coming…I’m just asking the Lord for mercy
I’m fearful that I will never be totally rid of this darkness, I keep landing in. One minute I’m feeling free and steady and even balanced. The next minute I’m back in this space of loneliness in a crowd, that I told myself I was never going to revisit.
I am aware it begins with a comfortable drifting, when things are going smoothe and I get lax in doing things that I know keep me focussed and healthy, including reading God’s Word. Then some stupid issue suddenly ignites a flare I can’t extinguish.
When I find I’ve lost confidence in my direction, I slide rapidly into believing negative thoughts and projecting them on to others with my snappy aggressive words and actions. Suddenly I find myself where I hate most to be, alone and hating myself. Anger and emotions keep me awake, and ‘blame and exuse’ conversations roll around in my mind.
I feel stuck, exhausted, and out of reach.
After another wrecked night and late late sleep in, today’s reading in ‘The Word for Today’ reaches me. (God reaches me when I feel out of reach.) “We have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus… cleanses us from all sin” 1John 1:7. The reading talks of how Christian family share a relationship that is beyond the ‘me generation’ where ” when the going gets tough, it’s acceptable to bail out of a relationship and move on.” This is the repeating issue I struggle with. I am so ‘me’ focussed and I have no money in the ‘friendship bank’. I know this is the triggering issue that repeatedly shoots me into the flaming darkness.
Heeding the word that had touched me, I consciously stepped through burning debris to begin to think outside of me: A simple text message to an estranged friend, saying ‘It’s a beautiful day’; a detour in my travels to apologise for an offence; and a phone call to another. The day got brighter. The flames shot down as there was less rubbish in me to burn. I thank God for his desire to have a relationship with me, his design that causes us to live best in relationship with others, and his example and choice to help us do that.
Thanks for the opportunity to work through this pain in this forum. I’m not sure it is intended for this purpose, but I found it so helpful just to share like this and reflect on God’s amazing way of working things out in and for us. I hope it helps someone else.
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