Depression is a touchy matter amongst Christians, and is one that is not discussed enough in churches. Many people in church believe that just because we're already with God that we shouldn't get depressed. That is far from the truth. The Bible is full of mighty and faithful men and women that got depressed.
Habakkuk got so depressed that he questioned God and His Laws. David despaired when he and Bathsheba lost their son because of their sin. Jeremiah got depressed when his family forsook him for obeying God and the people of his town beat him up.
The Bible never said that we will never experience sadness again after we surrender our lives to God and place Him as Lord and Master of everything. However, it does promise comfort and peace to those who are mourning. Jesus is, after all, the Prince of Peace.
Here are ten verses that you can declare in times when you feel depressed and hopeless.
1. James 1:2-3. "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."
2. Hebrews 12:2. "Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
3. Psalm 28:7. "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."
4. 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 heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
5. John 16:33. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
6. Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
7. 1 Timothy 6:17."Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy."
8. Nehemiah 8:10. "Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
9. Deuteronomy 32:10. "In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye."
10. Psalms 34:17. "When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles."
