20 Encouraging Bible Verses to Battle Depression
In my struggle with depression, I’ve had a number of “blue” periods. Not quite debilitating, but there’s still a heaviness about me. I manage it in a number of ways (medication, diet, exercise, prayer, therapy, friends), though I have to admit, not often enough with encouraging bible verses or time in the Word. Part of this stems from my general apathy when I’m in my darkest days. It’s hard to be motivated to open the bible. Actually, is hard to want to do much of anything.
One particular Sunday, I did it. I felt the eager tears, the raw, pink, exposed tenderness of my emotions. Sitting next to my husband at church, I listened to the sermon, but my mind wandered. Not to darker places like it wanted to, but to thirsty, desperate places. Places of great hunger and need for a supernatural encouragement. I had done all I could do to take care of myself, and now I leaded some lifting from the inside out. I needed somewhere for my thoughts to dwell instead of the darkness.
Here are some encouraging Bible verses that have helped me in my battle with depression. I hope they help you, too.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 1 Corinthians 1:3-4
“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 31:8
“You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.” 2 Samuel 22:29
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
“The eternal God is your refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
He will drive out your enemies before you,
saying, ‘Destroy them!’” Deuteronomy 33:27
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7
“In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.” Psalm 31:22
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14
“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,” Deuteronomy 32:10
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22
“Answer me quickly, 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 entrust my life.” Psalm 143:7-8
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” Psalm 126:5
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17
“I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.” Psalm 40:1-3
“But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” Psalm 3:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
“Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10