I understand that the fight against depression is not always easy. But I also know that God has made provision in scriptures for solution to every problem of man. By God's help, we can overcome depression.
Whenever we go through depression, we shouldn't be quick to forget that there are many Bible verses for overcoming depression. Let's always seek help from God's Word!
What Does The Bible Say About Dealing With Depression
Depression (as defined by online Cambridge Dictionary) is a state of feeling very unhappy and without hope for the future. But sometimes it goes beyond just this.
It is okay to seek help from medical professionals and counselling experts to tackle depression. But as Christians, we should know that such isn't always the best option.
Man can not solve all problems of fellow humans, but God can. The Lord has made provision for solutions to every problem of man in His Word. We must make the best use of it.
Why Am I Depressed
Depression doesn't just happen, they emanate from somewhere. Below we will look at the major sources of depression. Understanding the sources will help us in proffering the solution.
1. Trials or Challenges of Life
The trials of life do not make life comfortable and perfect. When things refuse to go the way we wanted or planned out, this might result to depression.
Life on this present earth is not perfect and even Christians are not exempted from the effects of living in an imperfect world.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 KJV We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; [9] Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.
But we must understand that, even in the midst of these, God still provides an escape route out of depression. We must harness it.
2. Attacks From The Enemy
Not all depressing thoughts come from what we are going through. If after we refuse to let thoughts about life challenges rule us, but we still notice that depressing thoughts pop out of nowhere, then they came from
somewhere else!
God gives supernatural joy and peace, even in the midst of the storms of life. But the enemy does not want us happy; that is why he doesn't stop throwing fiery darts at us. These fiery darts may also come in form of depressing thoughts.
If possible, the enemy wants us to dwell on everything that has made our life unpleasant. Most depressing thoughts do not come directly from us. They are demon-projected thoughts into the human mind.
The enemy does not want us to dwell on God's promises concerning our life; he wants us to do the opposite and stay depressed. Most suicidal thoughts are projected from unclean spirits from the outside. We are not ignorant of the devices of darkness.
Is Depression A Sin
Depression is not a sin. Like I said above, Christians are currently going through a lot. Life on earth is not perfect. The Christian walk is filled with tribulations. The Lord understands and will not hold depression against Christians as a sin. He is in fact, willing to help us out of depression.
How To Overcome Depression Scripturally
Depression is a state of mind. All the depressing thoughts take place in the mind—to change people's mood and compel them into negative decisions and actions. Every depressing thought fights against God's thoughts concerning us. And God said in His word that His thoughts concerning us are for good and not evil.
Jeremiah 29:11 KJV For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Depressing thoughts are the direct opposite of this. We are only expected to dwell on and believe what God says about us, not the opposite.
1. Meditate On God's Thoughts Concerning Your Life
The thoughts of God concerning us are penned down in His Word (The Holy Bible). We must think on them.
Joshua 1:8 KJV This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
No matter the source of our depression, thinking on and believing the thoughts of God concerning our life will always tackle it.
Philippians 4:8 KJV Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
The challenges of life will definitely come. But God will not allow us drown in them. He will always deliver us from every problem if we rely on Him.
Some things are impossible with man, but with God, all things are possible. What makes us Christians is faith. We must believe and trust God to do all that He has promised us.
We must make it a habit to study and meditate on the Word and saturate our mind with God's thoughts concerning us, then we will be amazed at the joy and peace that follows afterwards!
2. Replace Depressing Thoughts With God's Thoughts
It is our responsibility to refuse to dwell on depressing thoughts. The Bible has provided us with a clue to doing this.
2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
Whenever depressing thoughts pop up in our head; whenever we have a reason to feel depressed, we also have the option to cast down those unprofitable imaginations and replace them with God's thoughts concerning us.
We are not expected to dwell on negative thoughts, but be swift to identify and bring up relevant scriptures against them. This will always destroy those negative thoughts.
Bible Verses To Overcome Depression
Here are twenty-seven carefully picked Bible verses that will help you overcome depression whenever the need arises.
1. The Lord Will Provide
The best option is for us to trust the Lord concerning everything we need in life, not the arm of flesh or our ability to get them on our own strength.
Matthew 6:31-32 KJV Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
2. God Has Great Plans For Your Life
His plans for you are higher than yours. We may try to figure out what we deserve by our finite mind, but God always has something bigger, better and greater for us.
1 Peter 4:12-13 KJV Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: [13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Jeremiah 29:11 KJV For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord , thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Matthew 7:9-11 KJV Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? [10] Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? [11] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
3. God Will Not Forsake You
God is not a man. His love for us is unconditional and incomparable. God has your back always, no matter how unworthy you may feel sometimes. Rest in this truth.
Romans 8:38-39 KJV For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
4. God Is Your Comforter
One of His attributes is that of a comforter. When storms of life arise, give Him room to comfort you through His Word and Spirit.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 KJV Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; [4] Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. [5] For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
5. Trust In The Lord
There are challenges we go through sometimes and situations we find ourselves in, only for us to find out that we can do nothing to help ourselves and no man can help us. That is one of the reasons why we should put our trust in the Lord always.
Deuteronomy 31:8 KJV And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Psalm 34:17 KJV The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
Psalm 37:3-4 KJV Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. [4] Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
1 Peter 5:6-7 KJV Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: [7] Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
6. Fear Not, God Is Always Near
He is closer than our friends and family. Choose not to fear but desire to be closer to Him.
Isaiah 41:10 KJV Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
2 Chronicles 32:7 KJV Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him.
Deuteronomy 31:8 KJV And the Lord , he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Isaiah 43:1-2 KJV But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. [2] When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
7. The Lord Is Mighty To Save
There is nothing too hard for God. He is able to save us even from situations where all hope is lost. Believe it, confess it with faith and watch it manifest in your life.
Jeremiah 32:27 KJV Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?
Jeremiah 32:17 KJV Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.
8. God Will Come Through For You
No matter what you are going through, no matter the situation you find yourself, know that the Lord will come through and do a miracle in your life. Do not cease to pray and wait on Him with faith.
Psalm 37:25 KJV
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Psalm 32:10 KJV
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.
Psalm 34:15 KJV
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
9. God Is Your Refuge And Deliverer
He is the One who lifts people from their miry clay. He will not let your feet sink. Call upon Him and watch His Mighty hand take you out of that difficult situation.
Psalm 9:9 KJV The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 34:17 KJV The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
Psalm 34:18 KJV The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalm 37:23-24 KJV The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord : and he delighteth in his way. [24] Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
Psalm 40:1-2 KJV I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. [2] He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
10. Do Not Lose Hope. Fix your gaze on Him
God is not a man that He should lie. He does not promise and fail. Hopefully wait for the fulfillment of His promises in your life.
Psalm 42:11 KJV Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Ecclesiastes 9:4 KJV For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
11. Stay Encouraged
John 16:33 KJV These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Final Thoughts On Scriptures For Overcoming Depression
Isn't God's word wonderful? Even our Lord Jesus Christ did put off the devil in the wilderness using the holy scriptures.
Memorise and meditate on these verses. Whenever depression arises, harness grace to rise against it with the relevant scriptures.
Your victory is sure in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!
Were you blessed this article? Kindly use the share buttons below to share with as many as possible. Tell others about this blog.
God bless you.
The articles and dream interpretations on our blog are gotten through revelation. We don't go about stealing other people's content. If we did, this website wouldn't have survived till today. DESIST from copying or lifting any part of our content to your website, books or videos. God is against plagiarism (Jer. 23:30). All content are protected by DMCA with fast response rate. Don't say you were not warned !!