When I was in the depths of my depression, I needed HOPE! I needed to be reminded of God’s character and to know that despite my feelings, I could trust God to see me through any situation. I firmly believe that our best defense is to memorize and recite Bible verses when depressed so we can use God’s truth to combat the lies of the enemy.
Recently, a reader asked about scripture to stand on for one who struggles with depression or anxiety. My suggestion? Memorize, recite and stand on these 10 Bible verses when depressed or when feeling down and need to be filled with hope.
Dear Dr. B,
I know you’ve gone through depression, help those who suffer, and have written a book about it. I’ve really been struggling and just can’t seem to get to the other side. I’ve heard you talk about the importance of reciting Scripture and standing on God’s promises, especially when someone struggles with depression or anxiety. Can you suggest any particular verses to use to get started?Sincerely,
Lost My Joy
Dear Joy,
I’m so glad you wrote because I have been where you are, and I’ve shared much of my story in my book “Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression.” But I understand how it can seem overwhelming to hold a Bible in your hands and not know which of the thousands of promises to apply to your situation! I suspect if you prayed about it, the Holy Spirit would guide you, but perhaps He did just that by prompting you to write and ask for guidance.
Memorize Bible Verses
When I was in the depths of my depression, I needed Bible verses that gave me HOPE! I needed verses that reminded me of God’s character and that despite my feelings, I could trust God to see me through any situation. If I can give you one piece of advice, it’s to not trust your feelings because our feelings are really just the outward manifestation of the thoughts we believe. Instead, trust the word of God which is truth. That is why I advocate so strongly that we memorize Bible verses and recite God’s promises so we can combat the lies of the enemy with God’s truth. It’s always our best defense.
10 Bible Verses When depressed (or Feeling Down): Stand on These Scriptures When You Need Hope
Here are some of my favorite Bible verses for maintaining our hope when we’re depressed or feeling down:
- The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17)
- Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
- For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:5)
- The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9)
- “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
- Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
- And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
- No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)
- I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely. (Psalm 63:8)
- But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
Recite Bible verses
When I was suffering with depression, I wrote out the Bible verses that gave me hope on post-it notes and stuck them on my nightstand, on my closet doors, on my light switches, on my bathroom mirrors, on the dashboard of my car, and any other place I would see them regularly. I would recite the Bible verses each time I saw them because faith comes by hearing, so I needed to hear them, until they got down deep in me and I believed what they said. They were God’s message to my heart, and they helped me refute the lies that the enemy had been whispering to me for so long. By the time I was done, I had over 100 verses written out and posted around my house.
Pray Scripture Back to God
That’s exactly what I would recommend you do as well. These ten scriptures will get you started, but there may be other Bible verses that the Lord puts on your heart or that you come across in books that you read, or that you hear in sermons that touch you in a meaningful way. Cling to God’s promises and pray them back to God. The Bible says that His word will not return to Him void, so when you pray scripture back to God, He has to fulfill what He has promised.
There are many other verses that spoke to me in my book, “Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression,” and more about how I learned to apply God’s word to my situation.
God loves you so much and never intended for you to feel this way. But because of Him, #HopePrevails!
We all encounter trials and tribulations in life. What is your favorite scripture that gives you hope when you’re feeling down or facing difficult circumstances? I’d love for you to share in the comments.
10 Bible Verses to Maintain Hope When Down or Struggling with Depression or Anxiety
(If you have a question you’d like Dr. B to answer, contact her here now. Your name and identity will be kept confidential.)
A short brief about the book, Hope Prevails.
Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Speaking from personal and professional experience, a neuropsychologist unpacks what depression is, shows how it affects us spiritually, and offers hope for living the abundant life.
Neuropsychologist Offers Hope to Those Struggling with Depression
-By 2020, depression will be our greatest epidemic worldwide
- An estimated 350 million people worldwide suffer from some form of depression
- As with the bestselling My Stroke of Insight, the author experienced the same condition she treats
- Helpful features include personal stories, biblical truths, prayers, and music recommendations
In Hope Prevails, Dr. Bengtson writes with deep compassion and empathy, blending her extensive training and faith, to offer readers a hope that is grounded in God’s love and grace. She helps readers understand what depression is, how it affects them spiritually, and what, by God’s grace, it cannot do. The result is a treatment plan that addresses the whole person—not just chemical imbalances in the brain.
For those who struggle with depression and those that want to help them, Hope Prevails offers real hope for the future.
Hope Prevails is available now wherever books are sold. To find out more, see: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/.
YES! God’s Word is such a balm and clinging to His promises even when our circumstances are telling us something different is huge.Great encouragement!
Posting God’s Word around the house got me through some really tough times. Putting just the right verse in just the right place always helped me remember it when I needed it the most.
Wonderful post! A statistic I heard recently is- the number one reason for doctor’s visits, in the US, is for stress and depression. I have written several articles about help for depression, as well. King David struggled with bouts of depression as do many of today’s top Christian speakers. May God sincerely bless you as you encourage yourself in our Lord. Also, may God bless your loving outreach to others.
Thank you, Dr. B. ‘I recited them out loud because faith comes by hearing, so I needed to hear them, until they got down deep in me and I believed what they said.’ So true! I think there’s something powerful about speaking God’s word out loud. Thank you for this hope-filled message.
Thanks, Michelle. I appreciate that you’ve walked this road and are so willingly sharing your lessons and insights with others. I just bookmarked and pinned these because I just know I’m going to need them again.
Blessings to you.
Thank you for the scriptures Michelle, I really love Psalm 34:17 “The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.” Thanks for the linking up with #TuneInThursday this week. See you next time!
Each of those verses is truly a beacon of hope and a source of comfort when we are going through hard times.
Great encouragement. Permission to Share with others who may be going through depression.
Such encouraging and hope-filled verses! God’s Word really is the truth we must learn to trust to find peace in this world! Blessings, friend!
Oh I love your posts! This one was so simple and so powerful!
Praying the truth of those scriptures stays close to your heart.
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
Speaking God’s Word out loud. I need to do that so much more. And these are mighty promises, precious promises from our God. I am so thankful that He upholds us with His victorious right hand!
I am eagerly awaiting your book in the mail and have printed out these 10 verses. The ups and downs of depression wear on all of us who suffer, and I’m glad to have found your blog which is so full of encouragement and truth. I’ve tried so many things over the years, and I feel ready to try again. I hate the work, and like starting a diet (don’t get me started) sometimes God just wakes me up one day with enough strength to try again. Thank you for what you do here!
Kim,
I’m so glad you found my site. Nobody wants to be the poster child for depression, but if my clinical experience and my personal experience can help others, then that’s my goal. I pray the book will be a blessing to you and give you just what you need for this time to make a difference. There’s also a companion “Hope Prevails Bible Study” that goes even deeper for more of His help, hope, and healing. And I’m with you on the whole diet thing.
So very thankful for you sharing these Bible verses not only for how I can use them, learn them and apply them to my life but because I will print them and carry them with me so I can give them to others. Since satan is the prince of the air, speaking these Bible verses out loud in prayer and even just walking the house quoting them gives satan notice that YOU trust and depend on the Lord Jesus. Mentioning the name of Jesus sends him packing!! Glory to God!!! I love the offensive attack we have of the enemy as we speak TRUTH out loud for our heart, to worship our God and to combat the enemy’s attacks! I love you Dr. Michelle for sharing your life and your heart with all of us!! Praying for you!!
One of things I love about the Psalms is that they are perfect for things like this and I feel like it is some of the most accessible scripture in the Bible for people who aren’t scholars.
That’s a good point that I hadn’t considered before!
Thanks for this encouraging post Michelle! I love all your use of Scripture. Tweeted and pinned. Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Thanks for that encouragement Patsy! For me, the answer to everything always goes back to Scripture.
Great verses for when we need hope! Thanks for sharing!
It is always a good idea to have verses sown into your heart. It has saved me from countless trials.He saves us once, but we always needs saving from something.
Boy isn’t that the truth? And how can the Holy Spirit remind us of truth if it isn’t sown in our hearts?
Great post Michelle! I love the use of Scripture here! Tweeted and pinned. Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Thanks so much Patsy. I pray it blesses and encourages.
Much-needed help and hope. Thank you so much for your work, Michelle.
I appreciate your kind words Richella.