So many articles that I read about Bible verses for depression and anxiety, or just about the topics of depression and anxiety in general, leave me wrestling with my struggle more than bringing relief.
I am ultimately left with questions like:
- Is God mad about my anxiety?
- How do I glorify God in my depression if I can’t control it?
- Do others see my anxiety as breaking God’s commandment?
Today, I want us to look at these 10 powerful Bible verses for depression and anxiety with a fresh perspective- and hopefully allow you to leave with a different view of your struggle and God’s heart for you in your battle.
Because I don’t know about you, but whenever someone says to me, “just don’t be afraid”, “just don’t worry about it”, “stop worrying”, or “just be happy”- it kinda makes it worse. And then I feel shame for feeling that way instead of comforted. I shrink down and repress my worry because I was told to stop.
And if I’m being honest – reading through Bible verses on depression and anxiety has historically left me feeling the same way. But I don’t think this is the heart of God for us in our struggle with depression or anxiety.
Our first verse together is a common verse, but I am going to show you how I break it down and how we can use a simple shift to see God’s heart for us in our wrestling.
1. Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand“. – Isaiah 41:10, ESV
There it is, right at the beginning. Stop being afraid – at least that is how my flesh sometimes hears it. It seems like an insurmountable ask. My heart wants to say, “God, you know the limits of my humanity. How can you ask me to simply stop”.
But as I took time to read through the 356 different Bible verses about anxiety, something struck me. “Fear not” is an invitation; not a condemnation. And never once in any of the verses does God condemn someone’s anxiety. But instead, He offers refuge within himself.
He is inviting us into trust by offering Himself and taking on the weight of worry and the responsibility for the outcome. When Scripture says not to fear, He isn’t asking us to repress our fear. He is asking us to yield our fear to the truth of who He is so that our hearts can find rest.
In order to operate from a place of freedom, we must identify that we are indeed anxious or depressed – we must bring it to light. Only by bringing it to light, and not repressing it, can we then move forward to see how God can meet our needs for our anxiety and depression.
Now my heart reads this as, “You don’t have to be afraid, daughter, or sad. Daddy is with you. I will give you strength, I will help you. I will uphold you…you are not alone”.
2. Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9, ESV
Here again we have a similar structure as verse 1. The Lord say to be strong and courageous and to not be frightened or dismayed. How? By resting in the knowledge that the Lord is with you wherever you go.
3. Psalm 3:3
“I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.” Psalm 3:3, ESV
This has been one of my favorite verses recently. So often, when I am wrestling with depression or anxiety, it becomes really hard to sleep. Can you relate with that at all?
But He sustains us. In the middle of our fear, in the middle of our wars, in the middle of our struggles we can lay our heads down and sleep because He will sustain.
4. Matthew 11:28-29
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yolk upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29, ESV
5. Philippians 4:19
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19, ESV
For me, this can be a hard verse to remember in the moment. I want to say, “yeah, Lord, but when??”. He is always right on time. He will supply every single need. Resting in this truth allows us to take a moment to pause and remember that we can cease our striving. God’s got it.
6. John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27, ESV
This has become one of my own personal favorites in Scripture. Sometimes, it is easy to feel anything but peaceful. However, peace doesn’t necessarily mean that there is a change in our circumstances. Watch the video below where I break down this verse and talk about what the peace of Jesus can look like for us as believers.
7. 1 Peter 5:6-7
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you”. 1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV
Here with 1 Peter 5:6-7, we see a similar structure as we did before. The Word calls us to cast our anxieties onto him. How are we able to do this? Be recognizing is power and resting in the promise that He cares for what we are walking through. He is still moving on our behalf, even whenever we do not see it in the moment.
8. Psalm 23:1-3
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul. God leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 3:1-3, ESV
Related Posts:
- For the Girl Who Doesn’t Feel Victorious
- Are You Trying to Hold your Heart Together?
- 7 Verses for You Anxious Heart
9. Isaiah 43:1-2
“But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I wil be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you”‘. Isaiah 43:1-2, ESV
Fear not. How? By soaking in the promise that you have been redeemed, you have been called by name. You are secure in Jesus. Whenever you go through difficult circumstances, He will be with you. He takes on the fire and the waves of life. You will not be consumed.
10. Psalm 56:3
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3, ESV
Whenever I read this verse, I instantly think of my grandmother. As a little girl, this was the first verse that I learned as I sat in her loft and she would teach me what to do whenever I’m afraid.
When we are wrestling with fear and depression, we have to make an active decision to place our trust in Him. This doesn’t mean that our circumstances with magically get better or that the chemicals in our brains will suddenly come into balance. Actually, it is in-spite of all that that we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus – trusting in the middle of the fear.
Have any verses you would like to add to the list?
I’d love to hear from you! Let me know in the comments below what your thoughts are and what are your favorite verses for battling depression and anxiety.
