What Does the Bible Say About Depression?

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree. He requested that he might die, saying, 'It is enough. Now, O Yahweh, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.'

Elijah burned out after his greatest triumph. God's response? Food and rest.

Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.

God draws closest when we are most broken.

Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.

Jesus' open invitation to everyone who is exhausted and weighed down.

It is because of Yahweh's loving kindness that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn't fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.

Written from the ashes of Jerusalem — hope that survives the worst.

For his anger is but for a moment. His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

Dark seasons are real — and they are not forever.

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering, and acquainted with grief.

Jesus knew sorrow from the inside — He is not distant from our pain.

You have taken account of my wanderings. You put my tears in your bottle. Aren't they in your book?

God keeps record of every tear — nothing in our sadness is unnoticed.

In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weakness, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered.

When depression steals our words, the Spirit speaks for us.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

When body and heart give out — God remains the eternal portion.

I waited patiently for Yahweh. He turned to me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand.

The pit is real — and God reaches into it to lift us out.

We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed.

Paul describes the Christian experience — hard on every side, but held.

to give to those who mourn in Zion a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of the spirit of heaviness.

God exchanges the heavy garment of depression for praise — He restores.

He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.

God actively heals — He is the great physician of the inner life.

I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have troubles; but cheer up! I have overcome the world!

Jesus acknowledges trouble — and points us to His victory over it.

Don't be grieved; for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.

Joy is not the absence of sadness — it is a deep source of strength beneath it.

Yahweh, your God, is among you, a mighty one who will save. He will calm you in his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.

In our darkest moments, God is singing over us — love that will not let go.

He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more.

Depression is real — and temporary. God promises its complete end.

For he has not despised nor scorned the affliction of the afflicted; neither has he hidden his face from him; but when he cried to him, he heard.

God does not despise our weakness — He hears our cry from it.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.

God does not promise dry paths — He promises wet paths with His presence.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

In the deepest darkness, God is a present help — not a distant one.