9 Bible Verses About Depression

Depression affects an estimated one in twelve Americans each day. It’s a common problem that can be treated with various methods, including applying Scripture to your thoughts. Depression tempts you to believe that you are all alone and that no one understands. But God has promised to never leave you nor forsake you, even in your depression (Heb. 13:5-6). You can find the hope you are seeking in Bible verses about depression.

If a black cloud of depression is hanging over your head today, these Bible verses can help you see the sun peeking through on the horizon. You can meditate on what God’s Word says to give you hope that will help you overcome depression. Talk therapy and/or medication can be other useful tools to give you the help you need. A Christian counselor will advise you on the best treatment plan for your symptoms.

Verses about depression.

The Bible has much to say about depression. Several people in the Bible suffered from this condition. Jeremiah, Elijah, and Jonah all suffered from various types of depression in their ministries. Job experienced depression after satanic attacks that were no fault of his own. David and other writers cataloged depressed feelings in the book of Psalms.

The Bible never says that depression is a sin. Instead, it is a normal stage of life, especially if you are grieving. Depression can also be attached to unprocessed trauma from your past. With the right scriptures, you can gain affirmation and insight to help you overcome depression. Here are some helpful verses for you to consider.

Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. – Ecclesiastes 7:3

The sadness you feel during depression has value in God’s eyes. Though you might not see value in your hurt, you can probably see that the times you’ve learned the most in your life were related to hardship.

Most of us learn more in the hard times than we do in the good times. These hardships refine us and bring imperfections to the surface so we can work on them. You can ask God to show you what he wants you to learn from your depression, and ask him to refine you through it.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. – 2 Corinthians 7:10

There is a big difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow. Worldly sorrow can cause other problems like self-pity, blame-shifting, resentment, and bitterness. But godly sorrow causes us to see things differently.

It drives us to confess our sins and repent from them, which helps us embrace God’s salvation and protects us from regret. By contrast, worldly sorrow only leads to destruction. When you trust God in your depression, you can experience the blessings that are on the other side of godly sorrow.

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:31

Hope can feel elusive when you are depressed. You may know it exists, but it could feel just outside of your reach. However, by meditating on Bible verses that remind us we can hope in the Lord, we can hold onto that hope God promises for us.

If you feel weary and faint from your depression, God will renew your strength as you depend on him. You will gain a new perspective with God’s help like that of an eagle high above the earth. This renewed perspective will uplift you in your trials.

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. – Jeremiah 29:11

Though this passage was originally written to ancient Israel, not to us, it has indirect application to God’s New Covenant people. It’s easy to become short-sighted when you are depressed. Sometimes you only have the energy to get out of bed on a single day.

However, if you are a Christian, God has greater plans for you, beyond your current depression. He wants you to focus on your future with Him, with hope, believing that all that He does is for His glory and your good. This famous verse can help you see the future with new eyes as you look to God in trust.

Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:19-23

Depression causes your soul to feel downcast, afflicted, and even bitter. But each morning, instead of ruminating about your problems, you can choose to remember God’s faithfulness to you. Think about all the times God was with you before, protecting you and guiding you. As you choose to focus on his faithfulness, you will have new hope as he wraps you with compassion. This daily practice can help refocus your thoughts on God’s truth.

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. – Romans 5:5

God never gives shallow hope. His hope will not disappoint us in our depression. It is lasting and true because it is rooted in Jesus’ victory over death and sin. Since he already won the ultimate battle for us, we can have hope for the future he has promised us. The Holy Spirit also gives us the gifts of hope and love. He will comfort, teach, help, and strengthen you when you study and meditate on Bible verses about depression.

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf. – Hebrews 6:19-20a

Your hope in God can be an anchor during seasons of depression. Like a boat anchor, it will keep you secure even when storms rage around you. While holding onto this anchor of hope, you can enter into God’s presence through prayer.

He wants you to pour out your heartfelt prayers to him right in the throne room of heaven. You can access this holy place in prayer because Jesus paved the way for you through his sacrifice on your behalf. Prayer is a lifeline during times of depression, and God is eager to speak with you.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. – Romans 12:12

Joy can counteract depression. It doesn’t depend on circumstances as happiness does. It is rooted in the unchanging truths of God’s character, like the fact that he loves you, is always with you, and has good plans in mind for you.

During your depression, God can increase your joy through hope. He can also make you more patient during the affliction of depression as you rely on him for strength. As you are faithful in prayer, you will receive God’s comfort and care to help you get through the hardest days.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. – 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

When you depend on God to give you hope in your depression, he will also give you encouragement and strength. This is a promise you can count on when you are feeling weary and sad. God will give you abundant grace to carry you in your darkest times. He will empower you through his word and even prepare you for good deeds.

Christian counseling for depression.

Depression can be difficult to overcome on your own. If you’re looking for additional support beyond these Bible verses for depression, contact our office today. Many people heal faster with the comfort, encouragement, perspective, and practical help available through a Christian counselor.

By meeting with a counselor, you can deal with the roots of your depression and heal in the deepest places. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you overcome depression with biblical principles.