Depression can wreck your life, and sometimes it’s hard to find a way out. You’ve tried therapy and medication, but those don’t seem to work. You feel trapped, and your life feels hopeless. But there is hope, and many people have experienced their lives turning around with help from the Bible. Here are 33 helpful Bible verses for depression and hopelessness.
What God says about hopelessness?
- In the book of Exodus, Moses and his followers were in a difficult situation. They were surrounded by enemies who wanted to kill them. Their only hope was to find the “Promised Land,” a land that God had promised to give them to survive.
- But what happened when they got there? They soon realized it was not as easy as they thought it would be. There were laws and rules to follow, new places to explore, new people, to meet… And so, it turned out that being in the Promised Land was much more challenging than living in Egypt.
- In our life today, we are often faced with situations that are similar to those experienced by Moses and his followers. God has called us to follow Him and live with Him in this world, but at first glance, things seem hard for us too: painful experiences, difficult decisions… And yet there is still hope.
- Hope does not depend on circumstances but on faith (Romans 4:18). To have hope means trusting in God’s promises and knowing He will never let you down (Psalm 46:5).
Bible verses for depression and hopelessness.
If you are feeling depressed, hopeless, or don’t know what to do next, reading a Bible verse can bring some comfort. I would say almost every single verse in the Bible has meaning. So, if you feel hopeless and need help with depression, please take the time to read these 33 helpful Bible verses for depression and hopelessness.
Isaiah 41:10 – God calms all storms and mends all broken hearts.
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
The Bible is said to contain the consoling phrase “Fear Not” 366 times. But let us never forget that the Creator of the Universe speaks these words of cheer and encouragement to His people, no matter how frequently they appear. He is the one who reassures His followers that they need not be alarmed because He can calm the furious storm and mend broken hearts.
He is the one who warns us not to worry and gives us the order not to worry about evil people. He invites us to place all our worries in His capable hands because He loves us and has promised to stick by us through thick and thin, even to the end of the age. The one who does not charge us is the Lord Jesus.
Psalm 3:3 – Be assured that God is with you.
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head
Psalm 3:3
This passage reveals David’s situation due to the violent takeover being carried out by his son Absalom. David’s adversaries were numerous and mocked him. People close to David claimed that God would not rescue him.
David worried about ongoing attacks from his enemies. David, despite their opposition, has faith in the Lord to protect and deliver him. He expects God to punish his adversaries. David believes that the Lord will defend him from his adversaries.
This is the same assurance David displayed when he faced Goliath as a young man. David boasted in the Lord and had every expectation that He would reinstate him as king of Israel.
Psalm 43:5 – All of our troubles are chosen and overruled by the Lord.
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 and my God.
Psalm 43:5
Remembering the God of our mercies will help us forget our troubles. David became disheartened when he saw that God’s wrath would bring problems. But let us remember that all of our problems are chosen and overruled by the Lord, even if they come one problem after another and seem to work together to ruin us.
David sees God’s favor as the source of all the good he sought. His words have the power to calm any storm, transform the darkest night into the brightest day, and transform even the most grievous complaints into jubilant acclaim. Our prayers for mercy must be made more urgent by our believing expectation of it.
Revelation 21:4 – He knows the depths of every agonizing pain and every broken heart.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4
The Lord says that weeping will last all day and all night. God will wipe away every tear because He knows the depths of every agonizing pain and every broken heart. Our gracious God of love, also the Lord of life, hears every silent sob that passes through the windows of our minds and every sharp pain that pierces deep into our broken hearts.
No one of us is immune from the challenges and tragedies that await everyone born into this fallen race because we live in a fallen world. However, God is giving us a small glimpse into the future ages that will last forever, when the current order will be revealed, and a new heaven and earth will be created under His just laws.
Romans 12:12 – Know that God hears you.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12
Because we have hope in Christ, our hearts ought to be filled with joy. When facing difficulties, patience will keep us from quitting before realizing our success. We constantly pray in every circumstance because God will hear us. Christians should be glad because they have hope in Christ.
Despite our circumstances, we have hope in Him because He has promised us victory. You can find rest in Him when you place all of your hope in God and nothing else.
Romans 15:13 – No one is left out of his glorious promise.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13
God has no regard for distinctions between people, and both unbelievers and believers can experience the joy and peace that comes from trusting in Christ for eternal salvation and sin-forgiveness.
No one is left out of this glorious promise. All of His promises, whether they pertain to the past, the present, or the future, are safeguarded by His unchanging nature and unchanging Word because He does not change.
Not only do His promises include this present age, which means that our entire life is secure in His care, but we also have the assurance of the eternal, heavenly glory that is to come. Nothing, not even the many trials of this present life, can separate us from our glorious God of hope because we are safe in Jesus’ arms.
Romans 8:1 – You have nothing to worry about, as long as you hold on to your faith.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
God will never condemn you for sin if you are a follower of Jesus. Paul contrasts two lives. For those who are in Christ, one is a life lived in the Holy Spirit, and the flesh lives the other. God is hostile to those who are in the flesh.
Those who put their faith in Christ are saved. There is no alternative. God so closely identifies with us when we put our faith in Christ that He gives us the benefit of Jesus’ sinless, righteous life and accepts Jesus’ death as atonement for our sin, which deserves death. Additionally, those who reject this salvation won’t be delivered from judgment.
Romans 8:28 – Every circumstance in our lives has a purpose.
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
For us to be with Him, the Father must redeem our bodies to complete our adoption as His children. God’s Spirit aids us in our waiting by bringing to God our unformed prayers.
We believe that God has chosen us as His children long ago and that He uses every circumstance in our lives for those purposes. Christian believers who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ are eligible for the promise.
Those who do not love God do not come to Him through faith in Jesus as their Savior. Things won’t be the same for those who die without Christ. For those who pass away without Christ, things will not have turned out better; they will have passed up the chance to benefit from this promise.
Psalm 30:11 – We have the ability to manifest the situation we want.
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
Psalm 30:11
We have a strong tendency to assume that things will always be good when they are. When we realize our error, we begin to feel guilty and consider our carnal security to be foolish. Even if no other calamity befalls him, a good man is troubled if God hides his face.
God eventually brought the psalmist out of his tribulations. When we praise God, it is never more true that our tongue is our greatest asset because we have the ability to command good and bad.
The believer must prepare himself for temptations and afflictions because the Lord, in his favor, has fixed his safety firm as the deeply rooted mountains. When we become negligent, we commit sin, the Lord covers his face, our comforts wain, and difficulties overwhelm us.
Deuteronomy 31:8 – He will also always be there for us in times of need.
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
Jesus is coming soon and this would be the time when the Lord Himself will live side by side with humans, making them both His people and their God.
All wrongs will be righted on this particular day. God, Himself will wipe away every tear as joy takes the place of sorrow. And because the Lord has promised to strengthen all who are His, we need not be afraid.
The Lord affirms that in addition to being able to provide for all of our needs, He will also always be there for us in times of need. He promises to uphold us with His righteous right hand and to keep our steps from slipping by encircling us in His arms of righteousness.
Bible verses when you feel hopeless.
Hope is the most important virtue. It helps you endure the suffering, pain, and loss in life. But sometimes, there are times when we feel hopeless, like everything around us is wrong. Here are some Bible verses that will guide you in time of need and help you have hope again.
Psalm 34:17
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles
Psalm 34:17
A heart that never loses hope that God hears and answers all prayers is necessary for faithful prayer. A person who believes will always pray more and see what they are praying for.
Christians should prioritize prayer and regularly ask God for direction and assistance. As Christians, we aim to love and encourage one another. We must keep our eyes on the future and wait patiently and in prayer for our heavenly Father to provide.
Giving to those who wrong us instead of seeking revenge is how we must resist falling into the hands of evil. The world and society have norms or practices that result in a life that isn’t whole. These patterns are simple to fall into and can be challenging to break.
Psalm 42:11
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 and my God
Psalm 42:11.
When Jesus came to earth to be the sin offering, He was rejected and despised. He had experienced the same sorrow and agony that we frequently go through.
But to defeat sin, Satan, death, and hell, He also endured the agony of the cross on our behalf. We are promised that because of His sacrifice, there will be no crying in heaven and that victory will engulf death and destruction.
We can rise into the newness of life, where pain and sorrow will flee because of Christ’s offering of Himself. Never lose sight of the comforting Spirit of God that resides within us
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
As He calls His children to bless the Lord, we should bow down in humbling reverence. We should kneel before the Lord, whose name is Lord when the call to bless the Lord is given.
We honor our great Creator as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He loved the world so profoundly that He gave His only Son as the atoning sacrifice for sin, ensuring that everyone who trusted in Him would not perish but instead experience eternal life.
Those who believe are transformed into God’s children and given new life in Him. He is the source of all comfort, comforting us in all of our tribulations so that we can offer others in tribulation the same comfort we experience from God.
Psalm 3:3
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Psalm 3:3
The psalmist does not accuse God of being to blame for his precarious circumstances. His words show that he is a man who truly believes that God is in charge and that He will one day deliver him from his oppressive foes and declare him to be innocent in the face of those who would do him harm.
While he had faith in God’s ability to redeem, he was aware that God’s timing would ultimately determine when he would be set free. Nevertheless, despite enduring such inner suffering, his faith in God never wavered. He readily admitted that the Lord was his light and truth despite his suffering. He placed his hope in the Lord, and he trusted the God of his salvation to lead and guide Him.
Isaiah 40:31
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
This reassuring chapter serves as a reminder that because we are in Christ, we are free from the curse of the law, slavery to sin, and the accusations of Satan. We are also free from God’s judgment and condemnation.
And because Christ has won the victory on our behalf by grace through faith in Him, we are being ransomed from death and destruction and rescued from defeat and decay.
David rejoices and changes his grieving disposition to gladness due to the Lord hearing his prayer. He resolves to exalt the Lord and give Him thanks forever.
1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
At one point or the other, we have faced temptations. One thing that is common is that God knows our abilities and would not allow us to be tempted above what we can handle. When faced with insurmountable temptations, remember that God has given us the will to escape them and get through them.
This means to overcome any depression and hopelessness, we to do so with the power of God. Trials also come to Christians just as it occurs to unbelievers, and the difference is how we can fight and overcome them.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13
In this passage, Paul tells us to always have a positive mindset in any situations we face. Even when going through depression and hopelessness, profess only positive words. When sick, say I am strong”; when depressed, say” I am not depressed.” Rely on God’s strength to overcome, and he will help you during those situations.
Throw away any belief that you can do it by yourself. Being self-dependent and sufficient only drags you backward. But submitting and allowing God to be in control makes things more accessible than they would have typically been with human strength.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:11
This scripture shows God’s promise to us in times of depression and hopelessness. He has plans for our lives regardless of our present situation because he is in control. It also speaks about the plans God has for those who seek him with their whole heart.
Christians who are part of God’s family should always take solace in this verse and be encouraged during these times because there is hope.
Deuteronomy 31:8
And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:8
There is no reason to worry or fear because God is always before us. He is there to ensure we do not slip and fall to accomplish his purpose on earth during our race. Regardless of the situation, he promises to be with us and not forsake us.
Before Jesus returned to his Father, he gave us the Holy Spirit, our comforter, to guide us. The Holy Spirit opens our understanding and helps us decipher and simplify difficulties. With the Holy Spirit you are set apart for God, and he would go before you from start to finish.
James 5:13
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
James 5:13
Christians are encouraged to move closer to God and have a close relationship. We are reminded to pray to him continually and praise him when depressed or hopeless. These are secrets to receiving answers to any difficult situation.
Trails, hardships, and sufferings will be avoided when we can maintain a budding and fruitful relationship with God. Lack of prayer even when we experience trouble is a sign that our spiritual lives need to be awake and alert, calling for action.
1 Timothy 2:4
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:4
It is God’s will that all men are saved. He does not want his children to perish because he loves us. He is always ready to reveal himself to us in different dimensions to understand and love him even more.
God knows the challenges and obstacles we face and has offered us a light at the end of the tunnel if we follow him and obey his commandments. This is only possible with God’s word, which holds the Key to life and death.
Bible verses about overcoming hopelessness.
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “hopelessness is not just a feeling; it’s a decision.” I believe that. If there was hope for you and your situation, none of this would be happening. To ensure that you never feel like giving up on yourself or your future, here are some Bible verses about overcoming hopelessness.
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13
God is capable of anything. However, God has never guaranteed that all of our issues on earth will be resolved or removed. Everyone on the planet would be a Christian, and they would come to God for all the wrong reasons if they only saw the advantages of us being able to accomplish whatever we desired.
When Paul realized the more profound significance of Jesus’ warning that without Him, we can accomplish nothing, he rejoiced in his inadequacies while boasting that through Christ, he could accomplish all things. Paul understood that we are empowered when we are positioned in Christ, abiding in Him, and continuing in communion with the Father.
Romans 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Romans 15:13
God’s promises are protected by His unchanging nature and Word because He never changes; he is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Not only do His promises include this present age, which means that our entire life is secure in His care, but we also have an assurance of the eternal, heavenly glory to come.
Nothing can separate us from our glorious God of Hope while we are in the protective arms of Jesus, not even the many difficulties we currently face in life. The old sin, nature’s ravages, and the enemy’s temptations, who work to our detriment, cannot sever us from God’s love.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10
God commands us not to worry about evildoers. He invites us to place all our worries in His capable hands because He loves us and has promised to stick by us through thick and thin, even to the end of the age. We are told not to be disheartened or discouraged by the Lord Jesus because He is our God, and that fact alone ought to be enough.
God wants all of us to have faith in His priceless promises, and He warns us that if we don’t believe what He says, we won’t be able to please Him. But the Lord is kind to us because He knows our fleeting nature as dust. The Lord is patient and very good, and He is aware that so many negative aspects of our lives can cause discouragement, depression, hopelessness, and doubts.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
Are you anxious? God commands us to pray about everything and bring all of our worries to Him. He tells us to be grateful during our prayer time because He understands the effectiveness of praying in anticipation of God’s goodness and grace.
God wants us to rely on Him for support, and prayer gives us the chance to share our burdens with Him. People who worship him can relieve their excessive worry or anxiety by praying to God. He assures them that he will grant them inner peace, which will lessen their anxiety and safeguard their thoughts and feelings.
Hebrews 12:2-3
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:2-3
Christ also experienced hardship, persecution, and temptation, but He never wavered in His commitment to carrying out the Father’s will. The foundation of Christ’s entire ministry and the new covenant’s superiority is His example, which we should endeavor to imitate.
Knowing that God could and would “work all things together for good” should give us a reason to resolve to endure those hardships. The ultimate purpose of Jesus’ obedience was to reveal what we should aim to make on the last day where there would be no sorrow or depression.
Psalm 91:14-16
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”
Psalm 91:14-16
Wherever we are, God wants to help us experience His love. Fear vanishes when we comprehend who God is, who we are, how He loves us, and what His purpose is for us. When we catch the slightest glimpse of these truths, our worry about material things disappears.
The idea that we believe Satan’s lies that wealth, fame, or power matter is truly absurd or would be if it weren’t so depressing. God would always give a listening ear when you reach out to him.
Isaiah 43:1-3
“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…”
Isaiah 43:1-3
This verse gives us comfort in the knowledge that God will protect us from all danger, despair, and hopelessness. God has purchased our freedom by shedding his blood for us. He is aware of how many hairs we have on our heads. He promised to be by our sides during the difficult times and seasons.
Believe in God’s presence every day of your life, and lean on him for support when you face difficulties. He created us for his glory so that we could accomplish the mission for which we were placed on earth. He has promised to answer the phone whenever we call because of this.
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.”
John 16:33
Sometimes when we struggle with depression, we lose all hope. These times when we must cope with difficulties like illness, the death of a loved one, tragedy, or natural disasters may be so demanding that we end up moody and depressed.
But keep in mind that Jesus has triumphed over the world. He is the source of joy and peace. Keep in mind what Job endured; it was enough to cause him to curse God, but he persisted in holding on to him. Even the devil became so envious that he had to think of a way to put him to the test. Job eventually received twice as much blessing as he had.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.;”
Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus expects you to turn to him in moments of despair, as stated in this passage. He said that he is always willing to bear our burdens and yoke.
No one would be prepared for that; thank God he is not a man. When you allow God to work in your life, you will start to feel a sense of peace beyond description, and things will keep improving before you know it.
Isaiah 45:22
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Isaiah 45:22
There is no other being whose beauty can compare to that of God. He is the same throughout all generations and reigns forever. He doesn’t lie, so you can trust that anything he says will happen.
You can only look to him if you believe in him and agree that he should be in charge of every aspect of your life. It denotes your willingness to submit to and obey his rules.
Why then should you experience despair and depression? You don’t trust him enough to let him lead you. He is the God of the entire earth and holds everything in his hands; you should dry your tears and pray to him.
John 6:44
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:44
Prophets like Isaiah had forewarned God’s people that sin had severed their connection with God. There was no other way for Israel to be saved, which is why Jesus had come to the house of Israel’s lost sheep to save His people from their sins.
He cannot act as our advocate unless we acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior. And Jesus said that on the last day when we take our last breath, he would raise all of his children. You have no justification for feeling hopeless and depressed because he has covered you in his blood.
