What Does the Bible Say About Depression?

Do you feel like you’re going through a period of time when you’ve lost the ability and desire to do things? Maybe you feel like you’re struggling to move forward in life… but instead finding yourself often feeling hopeless and sorrowful. I went through this recently, after suffering the loss of a dear loved one. 

Depression is real and you don’t have to feel ashamed or embarrassed to be going through it. What does the Bible say about depression? How can God help with depression? Knowing the answers to these questions will allow you to pull through this period.

The enemy wants you to stay depressed, feeling hopeless because of what happened. This leads you to not love God, love yourself, or love people. You don’t have to stay this way. You can overcome this depression with God and live in the abundant life he has for you, as you follow the greatest commandment.

While depression can also be clinical, I unfortunately am not an expert to help with that. However, seeking out God in your depression is always helpful, even if you’re under the care of a physician.

What Does the Bible Say About Depression?

The feeling of depression is seen in the Bible. An example of this is in the book of Psalms.

“My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, ‘Where is your God?’” (Psalm 42:3, ESV) 

The Psalmist is consumed by sorrow all day; struggling, feeling stranded by God, but acknowledging he needs God also. (Psalm 42:1-2)

If you can relate to the Psalmist feeling stranded by God, remember that he hasn’t left you. He is with you. He promises this and he is a promise keeper. 

Related post: 10 Promises of God With Bible Verses, For When You’re Disappointed

You can find hope in the Lord, as the Psalmist goes on to say.

“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” (Psalm 42:5, ESV)

What does God say about depression? He says there is hope in him. Hope that you can have eternal life with him. That he’s not going to leave you. That he’s going to comfort you. That he is a good Father who loves you. That you’re always loved.

He is with you and will get you through this. You can pour out your heart to him, and he will meet you in your pain and sorrow—without judgment—as a loving father, holding your hand. He will restore you.

Is Depression a Sin?

Christian depression is real. It doesn’t matter who you are, you can become depressed. It is not a sin. It can be caused by a traumatic event or by the death of a loved one, which is what happened to me. It can come on by the loss of something else… or life just not going well for you. It can also be clinical and need to be treated by a physician. 

There are Bible verses to overcome depression and hopelessness. Some examples are:

• God will comfort you in this hard time.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4, ESV)

• God will get you through this, just as he has in the past.

“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.” (Psalm 40:1-2, ESV)

• God is here for you and will help you.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18, ESV)

How to Overcome Depression Biblically

Christianity and depression may not seem like they go together. But it is important to accept that you are struggling with depression right now and to seek God for help from it. He will get you through this period. Below, you will find 4 ways to help you deal with your depression with God. Knowing what the Bible says about depression is so important to get you through this season and get the help you need. 

Share Your Feelings and Thoughts With God

In Psalm 55, we read about the Psalmist dealing with a trickster (Satan) and the author’s guidance is to relinquish everything to the Lord. 

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22, ESV) 

This is true for you, too. The enemy wants you depressed—but if you relinquish your deep down feelings and thoughts to the Lord, he can take them from you. He will not let you fall. 

Share it all with the Lord. This will help you to know you are heard, seen and known; that you are not alone in the pain and hurt. Although you have to live with what happened, you can bounce back from this. 

You can find a new normal and do the things you used to love again. You can regain the ability to get up again and feel ok. Take it all to the Lord when it comes up. Speak to him when you feel down. He wants to hear it and speak words to you to uplift you and help you. You matter so much to him—he loves you so much.

Rely on His Faithfulness

God is faithful. 

“Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.” (Psalm 36:5, ESV) 

When you remember this truth of God’s character, as the Psalmist mentions in this verse, you can get through this season. His love is compared to reaching “to the clouds,” which is so great. He is faithful to carry you through whatever happened, and will allow you to feel good again.

God will stay with you always. Remind yourself of his faithfulness when the depression feels overwhelming. Some days are better than others, but he is with you in it all. 

God Works All Things Out for Good

God has good plans for you; don’t let depression stop you from living them out. You have to fight the enemy—fight to do everyday things, even when you feel like you can’t. Take it slow, give yourself grace, but fight. 

Don’t let what happened to you stop your life and keep you depressed. Don’t let the enemy win. He wants you feeling hopeless, but there is hope in the Lord. 

God will use your pain for good. Paul reminds us that when we love God he will work “all things together for good.” 

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, ESV) 

He will use what happened to you to make you stronger in him and help you draw closer to him. He will use it to shape your character and make you more like him, equipped for the purposes he has for you. Hard experiences will refine you for the good. 

Focus on Heaven

When you keep thinking about what happened, it can continue to keep you feeling blue. Instead, in the hurt, remember what is to come for you as his child. 

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18, ESV) 

The suffering in this season is great but what Jesus has ahead for you is so much greater. There is no pain in heaven—just joy. Keep pressing into him and focusing your mind on what is to come. Your time here is temporary. This is not the end. 

If you are struggling with a period of depression, know you are not alone. God is with you; he will help you when you seek him. What does the Bible say about depression? It’s an important thing to know. There are scriptures against depression that can aid you. Read the Bible. You don’t need to feel shameful or guilty to be walking through this season. God and depression don’t have to be isolated. God wants to help you in this and is with you.