Bible Study About Depression: Hope for the Downcast Soul

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?” – Psalm 42:5 KJV

Understanding Depression in Scripture

Depression is a heavy reality for many, including faithful believers.

The Bible may not use the modern term “depression,” but it vividly describes the experience through words like “downcast,” “brokenhearted,” “heaviness,” and “despair.”

In Scripture, a “broken spirit” refers to a state of deep despair or hopelessness – essentially what we call depression today​.

• Ancient readers saw a broken spirit as a crushing of one’s inner life, an emotional darkness that “dries the bones” (Proverbs 17:22).

In other words, even without the word “depression,” the condition was recognized: a profound sadness and loss of hope that affects a person’s mind, body, and spirit​.

It’s important to note that in biblical times people often viewed intense sorrow or melancholic heaviness as a spiritual affliction. Sometimes it was linked to grief over sin or even seen as oppression by enemies or evil forces.

Today we understand depression can have biological and psychological factors, but the emotional and spiritual weight of it is something the Bible acknowledges well.

Scripture shows that feeling depressed or cast down is not new – it is a common human experience in our fallen world, even among God’s people​.

The encouraging news is that the Bible doesn’t shy away from this topic. God’s Word shows us many facets of depression and, more importantly, offers hope and guidance for those trudging through that dark valley.

Hebrew and Greek Words for “Depression” and Sorrow

Because the KJV uses different terms, it helps to look at some original Hebrew and Greek words that convey depression-like feelings:

• “Shachah” (שָׁחַח) – “to hang down or droop.” This Hebrew word is used for despair or hopelessness. For example, the Psalmist cries out, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?” (Psalm 42:5 KJV). Here “cast down” translates a form of shachah, describing a soul brought low​. It paints a picture of a person’s inner self bowed down in despair, drooping under life’s weight.
• “Heaviness” (Hebrew: deagah or others) – The KJV often uses “heaviness” for sorrowful anxiety or depression of the heart. “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop” (Proverbs 12:25 KJV) – a heavy heart weighs a person down. Isaiah 61:3 speaks of “the spirit of heaviness,” which newer translations render “a faint spirit.” One Hebrew term associated is “ra’ash” (רָעַשׁ), meaning a trembling or fainting. In context it describes an overwhelming afraidness or weakness of spirit​. Depression often does come with a sense of fear and weakness – a faint spirit that only God can revive.
• “Lupeo” (λυπέω) – This Greek word means “to be grieved, sorrowful, or in distress.” In the New Testament, lupeo is used for deep emotional pain. For instance, Jesus in Gethsemane said, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death” (Matthew 26:38 KJV). The Greek underlying “sorrowful” is lupeo, conveying intense sadness​. This shows that even Jesus experienced profound emotional anguish, a sorrow akin to our depression.
• “Exaporeo” (ἐξαπορέω) – Used by Paul, meaning “to be utterly at a loss, in despair.” Paul writes that during a severe trial he “despaired even of life” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). The word here indicates complete despair – feeling no way out​. Paul’s honesty shows that even strong Christians can hit a point of despair, feeling utterly pressed beyond measure.
• Other terms: The Bible also uses words like “brokenhearted” (literally, a heart that is shattered or crushed) and “contrite” (crushed in spirit). In Hebrew, “brokenhearted” describes people “weakened, crushed, or destroyed in spirit”​. These ancient words cover the range of what we today call depression: sadness, grief, hopelessness, inner turmoil, and feeling overwhelmed.

Summary: Across the original languages, we see that the Bible definitely addresses the symptoms of depression – a downcast soul, trembling anxiety, sorrow, despair, a crushed spirit.

Depression is not a 21st-century invention; it’s a human struggle as old as time. Now, let’s explore how these feelings are expressed in different ways throughout Scripture.

Expressions of Depression in Different Ways

Scripture expresses depression both directly (through emotional language) and symbolically (through vivid imagery and metaphor). Here are some of the ways the experience of depression or heavy sorrow is portrayed:

Direct Emotional Language:

Many verses straightforwardly voice despair. In the Psalms we often read words like “My soul melteth for heaviness” (Psalm 119:28), “I am full of heaviness” (Psalm 69:20), or “My spirit is overwhelmed” (Psalm 143:4).

The Psalmists didn’t hide their depression. They describe tears day and night, loneliness, fears, and a sense of God’s absence. “My tears have been my meat day and night” (Psalm 42:3) is a poetic way of saying “I’m crying instead of eating,” a classic sign of deep sorrow.

Even King David, a man after God’s heart, wrote, “I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long” (Psalm 38:6 KJV), depicting a state of continual grief. These raw expressions show the emotional reality in plain terms: broken heart, fear, emptiness, mourning.

Darkness and Night:

Darkness is one of the Bible’s strongest metaphors for depression. Psalm 88 is a prime example – it’s often called the darkest psalm. Heman the Ezrahite, the author, ends that song saying “lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness” (Psalm 88:18 KJV).

He even says “the darkness is my closest friend.” His world felt as black as a dungeon, with no light at the end​. Elsewhere, Jeremiah, lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem, writes “He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old” (Lamentations 3:6 KJV).

Night-time and darkness symbolize those seasons when hope seems absent and God feels distant. Yet, even in such imagery, there’s an implied longing for dawn.

The famous line, “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5), acknowledges the night of despair while affirming that it won’t last forever. In our darkest nights of the soul, God’s Word encourages us that morning will come.

“The Pit” and Depths:

Another recurring image is the pit – a deep, dark hole. Depression can feel like being stuck in a pit or a well with no escape.

Biblical poets used this picture frequently: “Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps” (Psalm 88:6).

Jonah, from inside the fish, cried that he was at “the belly of hell… the deep… the weeds were wrapped about my head” (Jonah 2:2-5 KJV), which sounds like drowning in darkness.

David praised God for delivering him, saying, “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock” (Psalm 40:2 KJV).

In fact, one Bible teacher notes that “pit” here can be understood as a metaphor for depression or despair, the slimy hole from which only God can lift us​.

Many who suffer depression relate to feeling “in a pit” – trapped in deep mud where every effort to climb out fails. The Bible not only acknowledges that feeling, but promises that God can pull us out and set us on solid ground.

Desert and Drought:

Spiritual depression is sometimes portrayed as a dry wilderness. David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah, wrote: “my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is” (Psalm 63:1).

This can reflect the experience of spiritual dryness – when one’s heart feels barren and parched. A depressed spirit might say, “I feel like I’m wandering in a desert, empty and longing for life-giving water.”

The prophets also use drought imagery for sorrow: Joel talks about joy withering from the sons of men (Joel 1:12). Wilderness, thirst, and drought illustrate those times we feel spiritually dry or abandoned, yet still panting for God’s refreshment.

Storms and Waves:

At times, overwhelming troubles are described like floods or waves crashing. Psalm 42 (a psalm of spiritual depression) says, “All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me” (42:7).

It’s the feeling of being overwhelmed by circumstances – like standing in the ocean of sorrow as wave after wave knocks you down. Depression often comes with successive waves of sadness, anxiety, and negative thoughts.

The Bible’s poets understood that, painting pictures of drowning in turmoil. Yet, notably, Jonah from the depths also said, “When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD” (Jonah 2:7). Even while “flooded” by despair, turning to God is depicted as the way back to the surface.

Imagery of Night vs. Morning:

The contrast of night and morning in Scripture often carries a spiritual meaning. Night symbolizes affliction or sorrow, morning symbolizes relief or joy.

“Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness” (Psalm 112:4). Even if one is presently in a “dark night” of suffering, the promise is that God will bring light.

One beautiful promise is Lamentations 3:22-23: “His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

The author writes this while in deep grief, reminding himself that God’s mercy will dawn again. So while depression may be a long night, the hope of the believer is that God’s faithfulness will bring a new morning.

Biblical Figures Who Struggled with Depression

One of the most comforting aspects of Scripture is that it shows us real people of faith who wrestled with intense depression or despair. We are not alone or “abnormal” in our sorrow – many heroes of the Bible walked through the same valley. Let’s look at a few notable examples:

Job:

Job is perhaps the earliest biblical example of deep depression. A godly man who faced catastrophic losses – the death of his children, loss of his livelihood, and agonizing illness – Job sunk into understandable despair.

• He “cursed the day of his birth” (Job 3:1-3) and wished he had never been born​. “My soul is weary of my life,” he said (Job 10:1).
• He described his suffering as unrelenting sorrow, saying his grief was heavier than the sand of the sea (Job 6:2-3)​.
• Job even pleaded with God to just let him die: “My soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life” (Job 7:15).

These are stark expressions of hopelessness. Yet, Job’s story doesn’t end there – through dialogues with God, he eventually finds understanding and restoration.

Importantly, Job’s faith was never extinguished; even in despair he cried out to God. His story shows that even the righteous can feel depressed and ask hard questions, and that God does not abandon us in that state.

Elijah:

The prophet Elijah had a major triumph over the false prophets of Baal, but immediately afterward he fell into fear and depression.

When Queen Jezebel threatened his life, Elijah ran into the wilderness, sat under a juniper tree, and prayed to die: “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life” (1 Kings 19:4).

He was exhausted, discouraged, and convinced that all his efforts were in vain. “I, even I only, am left,” he lamented, believing he was utterly alone (1 Kings 19:10)​.

This is a classic case of burnout and despair after a high-stress victory. Elijah’s story is instructive: God did not rebuke him harshly for feeling this way. Instead, the Lord cared for Elijah tenderly – providing food and rest, and then a gentle whisper of His presence to renew the prophet’s hope.

God showed Elijah that he was not as alone as he thought (there were 7,000 others faithful in Israel) and gave him a new purpose (anointing Elisha as a successor). Elijah’s depression was real and intense, but God met him in that valley with grace and practical help.

King David:

David is often thought of as a joyful worshiper, but if you read the Psalms he wrote, you find a man who was well acquainted with depression, anxiety, and anguish. In fact, many of the Psalms are David’s personal journal of despair and hope.

For example, David writes, “My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me” (Psalm 55:4-5).

He speaks of loneliness and betrayal (Psalm 41:9, Psalm 69:20) and feeling abandoned by God: “O Lord, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me?” (Psalm 88:14). In Psalms 42 and 43 (which go together) David repeatedly asks, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? … I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me?” (42:9).

This refrain shows a man wrestling with his inner darkness. David experienced symptoms we’d recognize: loss of appetite (“my tears have been my meat” – Psalm 42:3), insomnia and weariness, and deep internal “disquiet” (an old word for anxiety)​.

And yet – in nearly every psalm of despair, David finds his way to hope in God by the end. He famously preaches to his own soul: “Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him” (Psalm 42:5).

David’s life shows that a person after God’s own heart can still go through valleys of depression. It also shows the power of honest prayer and praise in the darkness. David didn’t pretend to be okay – he poured out every fear and sorrow to the Lord, and in doing so, he found renewed strength.

Jeremiah:

The prophet Jeremiah is nicknamed “the weeping prophet” for good reason. His prophetic ministry was filled with rejection, loneliness, and traumatic events (like seeing Jerusalem destroyed). Jeremiah often felt emotionally spent and hopeless.

In one candid moment he wrote, “Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me… every one doth curse me” (Jeremiah 15:10), expressing deep regret at even being alive. He felt alone and unloved.

In another passage, Jeremiah questions God’s goodness in his pain: “Wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?” (Jer. 15:18), essentially accusing God of abandoning him.

Perhaps his most despairing outburst is in Jeremiah 20: “Cursed be the day wherein I was born” (20:14). He goes on to say, “Why did I come forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?” (20:18).

This is a prophet of God speaking – utterly broken, wishing he had never been born. Jeremiah also wrote the book of Lamentations, which is one long mourning poem after Jerusalem’s fall.

He writes, “I forgat prosperity. And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD” (Lam 3:17-18). Yet, in that same book, he recalls God’s mercies and finds a glimmer of hope (Lam 3:21-23).

Jeremiah’s life illustrates a faithful servant of God who nonetheless battled intense depression and even anger toward God at times. It teaches us that God is big enough to handle our laments.

Jeremiah also shows that even when we can’t see light, it doesn’t mean God has no plan – Jeremiah’s prophecies of restoration and a “new covenant” (Jer. 31) would later be fulfilled, showing that hope was on the horizon even when he couldn’t feel it.

Jonah:

The prophet Jonah had an episode of depression linked with anger and disappointment. After God spared the city of Nineveh (which Jonah had prophesied against), Jonah was deeply upset.

The outcome defied his expectation, and in his frustration Jonah said, “O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live” (Jonah 4:3).

When God gently challenged his anger, Jonah doubled down, “I do well to be angry, even unto death” (4:9). He was so displeased with life not going his way that he preferred death​.

Earlier, Jonah also experienced a form of situational depression inside the great fish – he described himself as at “the roots of the mountains” in the earth, barred in forever (Jonah 2:6). God heard Jonah’s cry from that literal pit and delivered him.

Later, under the withered vine, God again reached out to Jonah, reasoning with him about compassion. Jonah’s story shows a depression fueled by resentment and isolation.

It warns us how letting anger fester can lead to despair, but it also highlights God’s patience. God cares for Jonah even as Jonah sulks in self-pity, which reassures us that God doesn’t abandon us even when our attitude isn’t great.

Hannah:

Not all examples come from prophets and kings; Hannah (in 1 Samuel 1) is a woman who experienced deep emotional pain. She was barren for years and cruelly ridiculed by her husband’s other wife.

Hannah is described as “in bitterness of soul, and [she] wept sore” (1 Sam 1:10). It says she was “of a sorrowful spirit… out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken” (1:15-16).

She was so downhearted that when she prayed silently, the priest thought she was drunk! Hannah’s depression came from unfulfilled longings and provocation. What’s encouraging is that Hannah took her anguish directly to God in prayer.

She poured it out with tears, and Scripture says she “went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad” (1:18) after entrusting her pain to God.

Eventually, God answered her prayer with the birth of Samuel. Hannah teaches us about casting our cares on the Lord – how honest prayer can relieve the heaviness of our heart.

The Psalmists (e.g. Sons of Korah):

Aside from David, other Psalm writers also dealt with despair. Psalm 42-43 (quoted above) was actually penned by the sons of Korah and shows spiritual depression – thirsting for God like a deer panting for water, yet feeling forgotten by Him.

“My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?” (42:3). They sing of waves crashing and a soul cast down.

Psalm 88 by Heman (as discussed) is an example of long-lasting depression where the writer sees no light. What’s remarkable is that these psalms were incorporated into Israel’s worship songs.

God wanted these cries of despair to be sung in the congregation, validating that believers sometimes feel this way. It also provided a way for the community to empathize and seek God together in trials.

The Apostle Paul:

Even in the New Testament era, we see that strong apostles were not immune to despair. Paul confesses in 2 Corinthians 1:8, “we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life.”

That is a stunning admission from the great apostle – he and his companions were so utterly burdened that they felt they could die and had lost hope in themselves. The Greek word Paul uses literally means to be utterly at a loss or utterly without hope​.

In another place, Paul talks about having “great heaviness and continual sorrow in [his] heart” (Romans 9:2) over Israel’s unbelief. He also faced loneliness and discouragement (2 Timothy 4:16).

But Paul also shares how he worked through it: “We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead” (2 Cor 1:9).

Out of utter despair, Paul learned to rely entirely on God’s resurrection power. He also found comfort from God in these trials, and he writes about the “God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation” (2 Cor 1:3-4).

Paul’s experiences show that despair can serve a purpose of teaching us greater trust in God. And just as Paul was comforted, he in turn could encourage others. Even an apostle needed encouragement – and God provided it.

Jesus Himself:

While Jesus did not sin and we must be careful in saying He was “depressed” in a clinical sense, we do know that Jesus experienced deep emotional agony and sorrow. The prophet Isaiah called the Messiah “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief”​.

Jesus wept at Lazarus’s tomb (John 11:35). In Gethsemane, Jesus said “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death” (Matthew 26:38), and He was in such agony that His sweat was like drops of blood (Luke 22:44).

On the cross, Jesus even cried out the opening line of Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” – expressing the ultimate depths of loneliness and pain as He bore our sins.

Why do I include Jesus here? Because Jesus fully understands the spectrum of human suffering – emotional and spiritual included.

Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that our High Priest (Jesus) can “be touched with the feeling of our infirmities” – He sympathizes with our weaknesses and sorrows, because He lived through grief Himself. This fact alone is a huge comfort: when you pray to Jesus about your depression, you’re talking to Someone who truly knows what sorrow feels like.

This list of biblical people could go on – Moses at one point asked God to kill him when the burden of leading Israel was too heavy (Numbers 11:14-15), Naomi wanted to change her name to Mara (“bitter”) because of her grief (Ruth 1:20), Asaph wrote of his discouragement in Psalm 73, and so on.

The point is, the Bible is full of godly individuals who dealt with intense emotional lows. This should dispel any notion that a faithful Christian will never feel depressed or that depression is a sign of weak faith.

It’s simply not true. As we see, what these people did in their despair was turn to God (even if sometimes with complaints and questions). And we also see how God responded to each of them with compassion, help, and hope in the end.

God’s Instructions and Encouragement for the Depressed

When we are weighed down by depression or spiritual heaviness, what can we do? The Bible offers both direct instructions and gentle guidance for those walking through sorrow.

While it doesn’t give a quick-fix formula (as depression is complex), it consistently points to practical and spiritual steps that bring relief and hope. Here are some biblical principles and instructions for handling depression or a heavy spirit:

Pour Out Your Heart to God in Prayer:

This is the first and most consistent theme. Every biblical character we discussed talked to God about their despair. David composed psalms; Job argued his case to God; Hannah wept in prayer; Elijah complained to God; Jesus Himself prayed with tears.

The Bible encourages us to do the same: “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). God invites us to cast our burdens onto His shoulders. We see in Psalm 55:22, “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee.”

When you’re depressed, you might not have eloquent words – that’s okay. Romans 8:26 says the Spirit intercedes with groanings when we don’t know what to pray.

The key is to turn toward God, not away from Him. Even if all you can say is “Lord, help” or you can only cry – do it. Heman, in Psalm 88, turned his depression into a prayer-song, even though it wasn’t cheery. The act of coming to God is itself a step of faith.

Don’t worry about feeling anything at first; just keep bringing your pain to the throne of grace. God promises to listen. Psalm 34:18 assures, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

He is close to the brokenhearted – you may not feel Him, but He’s right there, listening to every sob and collecting your tears (Psalm 56:8).

Embrace Community and Share with Trusted Friends:

Depression often makes us want to isolate, but the Bible urges us to seek support. “Two are better than one… if one fall, the other will lift up his fellow” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). We are told to “bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

Even Jesus, in Gethsemane, took along Peter, James, and John and said, “Tarry ye here, and watch with me” (Matthew 26:38), desiring their companionship in His sorrow. If you are depressed, it’s important not to walk through it entirely alone.

Find a brother or sister in Christ, a friend, a pastor or counselor, and let them know what you’re facing. Sometimes a “good word” from a friend can lift your heart: “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad” (Proverbs 12:25 KJV).

God often encourages us through others – a kind encouragement, a listening ear, a prayer on our behalf. Remember Elijah believed “I am the only one left,” but in truth God had others and even sent Elisha to walk with him.

Don’t believe the lie that no one cares; reach out, even if it’s hard. The church is meant to be a body where if one member suffers, all share the pain (1 Corinthians 12:26).

Remember to Care for Your Physical Needs:

It might sound surprising in a Bible study context, but addressing physical needs is a biblical strategy too. When Elijah was depressed and suicidal, one of the first things God did was to make him sleep and eat (1 Kings 19:5-8).

Sometimes our spiritual/emotional crisis is compounded by simple exhaustion or neglect of the body. A tired mind and empty stomach can make everything feel worse.

The psalmist said “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures” (Psalm 23:2) – sometimes God literally wants us to lie down and rest. Proper sleep, nourishing food, maybe a walk outside in God’s creation – these are not unspiritual things.

They are part of God’s design for us. We are holistic beings; caring for our body can help our mind. So, do what Elijah did: take a nap, eat something, and let your body recover. It won’t solve all problems, but it creates better conditions for healing.

Your body and soul are connected (Psalm 32:3-4 shows unconfessed stress made David’s bones ache; Proverbs 17:22 says a broken spirit dries the bones). Thus, tending to one can relieve the other. Don’t feel guilty to take time for self-care in the midst of depression – it can be a form of stewardship of the life God gave you.

Meditate on God’s Truth and Promises:

When depressed, our minds are often filled with negative, hopeless thoughts. It’s crucial to counter those by intentionally recalling truth.

This is what Jeremiah did in Lamentations 3: “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed…” (Lam 3:21-22).

Similarly, Psalm 42 shows the psalmist arguing with his own despair, telling himself to hope in God. We can do the same by meditating on Scriptures that speak hope to us.

For example, remind yourself that “all things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28), even if you cannot see how.

Recall Jesus’ promise, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

Read the Psalms – they are full of both honesty and hope. Psalm 23:4 says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

That’s a powerful promise of God’s presence in our darkest valley​. Isaiah 41:10 is another: “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.”

Some find it helpful to write down a list of “anchor verses” and read them daily, even if they feel numb. The truth of God’s Word is a weapon against the lies that depression whispers (like “it will never get better” or “God doesn’t care”).

Ephesians 6 calls God’s Word the “sword of the Spirit” – use that sword to fight back. Over time, His promises can start to shine light into your gloom. “The entrance of Thy words giveth light” (Psalm 119:130).

So keep Scripture close, play worship music rich with truth, and fill your mind with God’s voice. It may not instantly cheer you up, but it will sustain your faith and slowly renew your perspective.

Practice Praise and Thanksgiving as You’re Able:

This is a tough one, because in depression praise may be the last thing you feel like doing. Yet, the Bible presents praise as a powerful antidote to a spirit of heaviness. Isaiah 61:3 says God gives “the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”

Sometimes, literally forcing ourselves to sing a worship song or to thank God for small blessings can shift the atmosphere of our mind. David often starts a psalm in despair and ends it in praise – he chooses to remember God’s goodness.

Psalm 103 says “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits”. When we’re down, we are prone to forget the good and focus only on pain. Deliberately thanking God for even the simplest things (a sunny day, a friend who called, strength to get out of bed) is like lighting a candle in a dark room.

It doesn’t fix everything, but it does pierce the darkness. God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3), meaning His comforting presence can become more tangible when we praise.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 is a great example – though everything was going wrong (no crops, no herds), the prophet said, “yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

This was a defiant act of trust. You can start very small: maybe just whisper, “Lord, I praise You because You are faithful,” or listen to a worship song that always spoke to you.

Think of praise not as a feeling but as a discipline or choice, even a sacrifice (Hebrews 13:15 calls it “the sacrifice of praise”). Through tears, say “God, You are still good.” This garment of praise can slowly lift that spirit of heaviness.

Seek Wisdom and, if needed, Counsel:

Sometimes depression can be exacerbated by practical issues or unaddressed problems. The Bible encourages us to seek wise counsel: “in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).

There is no shame in seeking help, whether it’s pastoral counseling or professional Christian counseling. In Bible times, people often sought out prophets or wise men for guidance in crises. Today, God has given wisdom to doctors and counselors as well.

Prayer and Scripture are primary, but using available resources is not a lack of faith – it’s part of God’s provision. If your depression is severe or ongoing, talking to a Christian counselor or a wise mentor can provide tools to cope and heal.

Proverbs 12:25, which we saw earlier, notes that a good word can gladden a heavy heart; sometimes that “good word” might come in the form of therapy or counseling, where someone can help you untangle thoughts and apply biblical truth to your specific situation.

Avoid Numbing and Confront Sin if Applicable:

Depression can tempt us to sinful escapes (like substance abuse, pornography, etc.) or it can be intertwined with guilt over sin. Ephesians 4:27 warns not to “give place to the devil,” and 1 Peter 5:8 warns to be sober and vigilant because the enemy looks for a chance to devour.

If part of your heaviness comes from guilt, the biblical instruction is to confess and repent, which brings relief.

David’s depression in Psalm 32 lifted only after he confessed his sin to God – “when I kept silence (i.e., hid my sin)… my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. I acknowledged my sin unto thee… and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin” (Psalm 32:3-5).

Unconfessed sin can weigh on the conscience terribly (spiritual depression). The solution is the cleansing grace of Christ, who is faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9).

On the other hand, if your depression is not directly due to sin but you’re seeking relief in unhealthy ways, recognize that those are false comforts. Proverbs 14:13 says, “Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.”

In other words, the temporary “high” ends in an even heavier crash. God calls us instead to come to Him for true rest (Matthew 11:28). So as hard as it is, resist the urge to numb out your pain with addictions or to withdraw into destructive behaviors.

Bring your pain into the light of Christ rather than trying to escape into darkness – “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). He can handle your messy, intense feelings, but you need to hand them to Him rather than coping in ways that harm you more.

Finally, be patient with yourself. Healing from depression is often a journey, not an overnight miracle.

The Bible says “wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart” (Psalm 27:14). That implies a process of waiting and gradually receiving strength. Isaiah 40:31 promises that “they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary.”

Waiting on God might look like clinging to Him day by day, doing the above things consistently, and trusting that little by little, He is renewing you. Even if you have to take medication for a time or get other help, it’s all under the umbrella of God’s care.

There’s no one-size-fits-all instruction for depression, but the Lord’s compassion and guidance covers them all.

Remember Jesus’ gentle invitation: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 KJV).

That is as direct as it gets – He calls the weary and heavy-hearted to come and find rest in Him. It’s not just a one-time event; we might have to “come to Him” again and again, casting burdens each day. But He will give rest for your soul (Matt 11:29).

God’s Heart for the Brokenhearted: Promises and Hope

Throughout Scripture, a clear pattern emerges: God has a special compassion for the brokenhearted and downcast. He doesn’t frown upon them or discard them; instead, He draws near with comfort and deliverance. Let’s survey some of the beautiful blessings and promises God gives to those in despair:

“The LORD is near the brokenhearted”:

As mentioned, Psalm 34:18 (a Psalm of David) declares this promise. In full: “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

When you are brokenhearted, God isn’t far off – He is near, right by your side, and He actively works to save and rescue your crushed spirit​.

Even if you feel utterly alone, God’s Word assures that He is emotionally and providentially close to you in those moments. You are not abandoned.

Healing for the Wounded Heart:

Psalm 147:3 says of God, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Imagine God as a skilled physician gently bandaging a wound. To “bind up” in Hebrew means to wrap or bandage, but also to encourage and give hope​.

God has promised to treat the wounds of our heart, to bind up the hurts that no one else may even see. This might come through His Word, through loving people, through inner comfort by the Holy Spirit – often all of the above. But it’s a promise we can claim: “Lord, you said You heal the broken-hearted – I present my broken heart to You for healing.”

Joy and Praise in Place of Mourning:

There’s a poignant promise in Isaiah 61: God sent His anointed one “to bind up the brokenhearted… to comfort all that mourn… to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:1-3).

This is a prophetic scripture that Jesus would later apply to Himself​. It shows God’s heart to exchange our depression for joy. He doesn’t want to leave us in ashes and heaviness. Like a divine exchange, He offers beauty instead of ashes, praise instead of a heavy spirit.

When Jesus read this in Luke 4, He said “Today this Scripture is fulfilled” – meaning He is the fulfillment of that promise. Christ came to carry out this mission of healing the brokenhearted. So when you cling to Jesus, you are connecting with the One who can truly turn your mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11).

You might say, “I don’t see any beauty or joy yet.” That’s okay – this promise is sometimes fulfilled gradually and ultimately. But it is certain: for those who trust in the Messiah, depression and mourning do not have the final say. God will comfort; He will restore joy.

Divine Comfort:

God reveals Himself as “the God of all comfort” in 2 Corinthians 1:3. He “comforts us in all our tribulation” (v.4). All our troubles includes depression, no doubt.

One way He comforts is through the Holy Spirit. In fact, the Holy Spirit is called “Comforter” (in Greek, Parakletos, also meaning Advocate or Helper) by Jesus (John 14:16). If you are a believer, the Comforter Himself dwells in you.

Sometimes we need to specifically ask the Holy Spirit to minister comfort to us – and He will. Jesus promised, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:18).

Also, Psalm 23:4, as we saw, says “thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” A shepherd uses the rod and staff to guide and protect sheep; God’s guidance and protection bring comfort even in the dark valley.

God has never left His grieving children without comfort. It might come through a Scripture that speaks to you, a sense of peace in prayer, or a friend’s kindness at just the right time. These are not coincidences but the hand of the Comforter at work.

Hope of Future Glory:

One thread of encouragement the Bible gives to the suffering is pointing our eyes to the future. This is not to minimize present pain, but to assure us it’s not permanent.

Revelation 21:4 gives the stunning promise that in the new heaven and new earth, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying… for the former things are passed away.”

This is the ultimate hope we have in Christ – a day is coming when depression, sorrow, and pain will be gone forever. Every tear you shed now will be wiped away by God’s own hand.

Jesus’ resurrection guarantees this future; as Romans 8:18 says, “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

In moments when depression feels endless, meditate on eternity. Our life now, even if it’s 80 years of struggle, is a blink compared to the joy to come. This hope doesn’t magically erase depression, but it can keep the flame of faith flickering in our darkest hours.

We can say like Paul, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

Why not in despair or destroyed? Because of the hope of Jesus’ victory and the “eternal weight of glory” being prepared for us (2 Cor 4:17).

God’s Unfailing Love:

Many who feel depressed struggle with feeling unloved or unworthy. But God repeatedly assures us of His steadfast love. Jeremiah, in his lowest, recalled, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3). The Psalms constantly speak of God’s “lovingkindness” (faithful love).

In the New Testament, we have the strong promise that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ – “neither death nor life… nor things present, nor things to come… nor height nor depth, nor any other creature” (Romans 8:38-39).

Not even the darkest depression can snatch you from God’s hand or remove His love from you. When feelings tell you “God doesn’t love you,” combat it with this truth.

In fact, Psalm 34:18 (God being near the brokenhearted) and Isaiah 57:15 say that God in a special way dwells with the contrite and lowly. It’s paradoxical, but those who are low get an even more intimate attention of God’s love.

“The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down” (Psalm 145:14). He is essentially saying, “I see you bowed in sorrow, and I will lift you up because I care.”

All these promises show God’s heart: He is for you, not against you. He wants to heal, restore, and give hope. He inspired passages like Psalm 88 (as bleak as it is) to be in the Bible to tell every despairing soul: “I hear you, I understand you, and I will ultimately deliver you.”

As one commentator noted, the very fact that Heman’s dark psalm was preserved in Scripture means God heard him and intended to use his words to help others​.

If God did that for Heman, won’t He do the same for you? Jesus spoke in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

It’s an assurance straight from the Savior’s lips that those who are grieving or depressed are not forgotten; rather, they are blessed because God Himself will comfort them. This comfort might come through an answer to prayer, through His presence, through people, or ultimately in heaven – often, all of the above.

Christ – The Ultimate Answer to Human Suffering

As believers who trust the Bible deeply, we ultimately see that all the threads of hope for the depressed lead to Jesus Christ. He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises of comfort and healing, and He is the one who fully enters into our suffering and brings redemption.

Let’s reflect on how Jesus and the gospel specifically connect to the depression and sorrow we face:

Jesus Fulfilled the “Brokenhearted” Prophecy: Remember Isaiah 61’s promise of binding up the brokenhearted?

When Jesus began His ministry, He read that very passage in the Nazareth synagogue (Luke 4:18-21) and announced, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your ears.” He effectively said, “I am the one anointed to bind up the brokenhearted, to comfort and free the oppressed.”​.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus did exactly that – He gave hope to the despairing. He healed the sick (relieving not just bodies but hearts), He forgave sinners (lifting the burden of shame), He welcomed societal outcasts (ending their loneliness).

Think of how Jesus treated people in pain: He had compassion on the widow of Nain who lost her only son, he wept with Mary and Martha, he delivered Mary Magdalene from demons and she went from despair to being the first witness of the resurrection.

Everywhere Jesus went, joy followed in His wake, as foretold: “to give them the oil of joy for mourning.” And for us today, Jesus is alive and able to bind up our broken hearts too. He is still fulfilling Isaiah 61 every day in the lives of those who turn to Him.

He Carried Our Sorrows:

On the cross, Jesus not only bore our sins but also entered into the depth of our sorrows. Isaiah 53:4 says, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows”.

This means that Jesus, in His atoning work, took up our pain and sorrow as if to shoulder it Himself. Verse 3 calls Him “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” – truly, He knows emotional pain intimately.

Why is this significant? It means our emotional suffering matters to God so much that He included it in the redemption plan. Jesus felt the crushing weight of all the sadness, grief, and despair that humanity experiences, as He suffered and died.

He took it so that one day all those sorrows could be healed in His kingdom. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we have the hope of a world with no more sorrow (as Revelation promises).

And even now, by His wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5) – not just physically or spiritually, but even the wounds of the heart.

We may still walk through depression in this life, but because Jesus carried it, there is divine comfort and strength available to us and the absolute certainty that sorrow will not prevail. The Man of Sorrows has conquered, and He invites us to share in His victory over despair.

Jesus’ Resurrection Brings Light to Our Darkness:

If the story ended at the cross, we might admire a suffering Savior but still live in fear and sadness. However, Jesus rose from the dead, conquering death and all the powers of darkness.

The Bible likens the resurrection to sunrise – after the dark night of the crucifixion, the morning of new hope dawned on Easter. For anyone wrestling with depression, the resurrection means darkness is not final.

As John put it, “the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not (could not overcome it)” (John 1:5). Christ’s light is stronger than our darkness.

Paul, who had said he despaired of life, later says, “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning,” connecting it to Christ by saying “God, who raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise us also” (2 Cor 4:14).

The gospel message in a nutshell – Jesus died, was buried, and rose again – is actually extremely relevant to depression: it tells us that even when something feels dead and buried (like your joy, your purpose), God can resurrect it.

There is always hope of new life in Christ. Romans 15:13 calls God “the God of hope” and prays “that he fill you with all joy and peace in believing.” Because Jesus lives, we can face tomorrow (to echo the hymn).

No matter how depressed you feel today, the living Christ is able to enter your story and eventually turn your sorrow into joy – maybe in this life, but absolutely in the life to come.

Our Suffering Savior as High Priest:

Hebrews 4:15-16, mentioned earlier, encourages us that because Jesus sympathizes with our weakness, we can boldly approach the throne of grace to find mercy and help in time of need.

When you pray in your pain, picture Jesus at the right hand of the Father interceding for you, showing His scars – proof of His love and understanding. He is advocating for you: “Father, I know what they’re feeling. I felt it too – help them, comfort them.”

It’s not an angry judge you approach, but a compassionate Savior. This should give us confidence to pour out everything to Him, knowing He truly “gets it” and will respond with grace, not condemnation.

Union with Christ:

As believers, we are spiritually united with Christ. This means what is true of Him becomes true of us in measure. If He is the Son who is loved by the Father, we are loved in Him.

If He has joy (and Hebrews 12:2 says for the joy set before Him He endured the cross), He can share that joy with us via the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 15:11, “these things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

It’s striking that Jesus talks about His joy on the night before His crucifixion – indicating a deep, resilient joy rooted in communion with the Father. He wants to give us that kind of joy, even in sorrow.

Paul described himself as “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10) – a paradox possible only through Christ in us. So while depression might dampen our feelings, there can be an undercurrent of Christ’s joy and peace that sustains us.

We should seek that in prayer: “Lord, give me Your joy, because my soul has none of its own right now.” It’s part of abiding in Christ (John 15) – as we abide, His life and joy flow into us like sap into branches.

The Presence of Christ with Us:

When we talk about God’s promises, the greatest of all is that He Himself is with us. In the Old Testament, God reassured Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, and many others with the phrase, “I will be with thee.”

In Jesus, this became literal – one of His names is Emmanuel, God with us. And just before ascending, Jesus assured, “lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).

For a Christian, no matter how lonely or misunderstood you feel, Jesus is truly present. His Holy Spirit resides in you, meaning in your lowest moments, you are actually never alone.

I recall a quote from a Christian author: “When you feel the most forsaken and alone, that may be when God is laying closest to your heart.” Sometimes in the throes of depression, all you can do is sit silently. Know that Christ sits with you.

If you can’t pray, perhaps just whispering His name or holding a Bible can be a symbol of clinging to Him. He promised “I will not leave you comfortless.” The presence of Jesus is a healing presence – maybe not a sudden cure, but a balm for the aching soul.

Over time, practicing awareness of His presence (through worship, prayer, or simply acknowledging “Jesus, You are here with me right now”) can bring a peace that “passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7), guarding your heart and mind.

Christ in the Old Testament Stories:

It’s also encouraging to see shadows of Christ in the stories of depressed saints. For example, when Elijah lay under the tree wishing to die, God sent an angel with bread and water to strengthen him (1 Kings 19:5-8).

How like Christ, who calls Himself the “Bread of Life” and offers “living water.” He comes to us in our wilderness with sustenance. In the story of Job, Job eventually says, “I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth… in my flesh shall I see God” (Job 19:25-26).

Even without fully understanding, Job was reaching for a Redeemer – and Jesus is that Redeemer who lives and will stand on the earth in the end.

Jeremiah’s weeping over Jerusalem can be seen as a foreshadow of Jesus weeping over the same city (Luke 19:41), and Jesus went on to provide the ultimate restoration Jeremiah longed for.

Heman’s Psalm 88, which ends in darkness, finds an answer in Christ’s cry on the cross and resurrection from the tomb. One writer said, “Jesus lived Psalm 88 so that we would never have to sing it alone.”​

In other words, Christ stepped into our darkest psalms – He experienced being in the pit, in darkness, feeling forsaken – so that in our darkness we can know He is with us and will lead us out.

Every time God comforted a suffering person in the Old Testament, it pointed forward to the comfort Christ would bring. And now, on this side of the cross, we have even more reason to hope than they did​, because we’ve seen the lengths God went to in order to rescue us.

To sum up: the gospel of Christ is deeply relevant to depression. It tells us we are more loved and valued than we ever imagined (the Son of God gave Himself for us), that our pain has purpose and an endpoint (because Jesus rose, defeating pain and death), and that we are never alone (for He has given us His Spirit and community).

When depression tells you “life is meaningless,” the cross says “you were worth dying for.” When depression says “nothing will ever change,” the empty tomb says “God can transform the worst into glory.”

This doesn’t mean a believer will never struggle – as we’ve seen, many do – but it means there’s an anchor for our soul (Hebrews 6:19) so we’re not ultimately driven by the storm. Christ is that anchor.

Conclusion: Finding Light in the Darkness

As someone who loves the Lord and trusts His Word, I want to speak to you heart-to-heart: depression is real, and it’s hard. Christians are not immune to it. You might be reading this and still feeling that heavy cloud over you.

The last thing I want is to offer trite answers or imply that just reading a few verses will instantly make it all go away. The truth is, God often works through a process – a journey of healing.

But here’s what you can hang on to: God is with you in this journey. He sees every tear and hears every groan that you can’t even put into words.

The Bible doesn’t minimize your struggle. In fact, it devotes entire books (Job, Lamentations, many Psalms) to voices crying out in anguish. So if you’ve ever felt guilty for being depressed, lay that guilt aside.

You are in the company of saints. David, Elijah, Jeremiah, Hannah, and even our Lord Jesus knew the taste of sorrow and emotional agony. It’s not because you’re a “bad Christian” that you feel this way – it’s because you’re a human in a broken world, and often a very sensitive soul at that.

Sometimes depression can even hit because you care deeply or because you’re fighting a hard spiritual battle.

Yet, as overwhelming as depression can be, it is not bigger than God. It might feel like a Goliath towering over you, taunting you day and night. But remember how that story ended – God enabled a young man with faith to knock the giant down.

In the same way, by faith, this giant can fall. It might not be instantaneous like a single stone thrown; it might be more like persistent erosion as you stand on the rock of Christ and let His truth chip away at the giant’s strength. But the key is: don’t face it on your own. The battle belongs to the Lord.

Maybe you identify with Heman in Psalm 88, thinking “darkness is my only friend.” Let me gently remind you that in Christ, darkness is not your only friend – Jesus is.

And He calls you friend (John 15:15). Even if you can’t sense Him, He’s carrying you. Sometimes like the footprints poem – in the sand of life’s beach, when you only see one set of prints, it’s because He carried you.

When Elijah was in despair, God’s voice wasn’t in the wind or earthquake, but in a “still small voice.” Listen for those still small moments – a scripture that resonates, a sunrise that catches your eye, a small provision that comes unexpectedly.

Those are whispers from God: “I haven’t forgotten you.” It might be as simple as this study finding you at the right time. He is speaking, even in silence. Your tears are prayers too, and He hears them.

To those dealing with clinical depression: don’t hesitate to utilize medical help alongside prayer. There is no shame in treating depression as the illness it is – if you had diabetes, you’d take insulin; if you have clinical depression, taking prescribed medication or therapy is likewise a means God can use to bring stability.

Many Christians have found that a combination of faith, counsel, community, and sometimes medicine is effective. Do whatever helps you get to a place where you can sense hope again. Just know that none of those things will separate you from God’s love – rather, they may be expressions of His love to you.

One day, you will look back and see that God’s hand was holding you even when you felt abandoned. David felt forsaken for a time, but later he could write, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken” (Psalm 37:25). God will not forsake you – that’s His promise.

Your feelings may tell you otherwise, but feelings aren’t facts. God’s Word is the truth to stand on. He says, “Fear not… When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee… when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned” (Isaiah 43:1-2).

Notice He doesn’t say “you won’t go through deep waters or fire” – He says you will, but He will bring you through it. Depression might feel like fire or flood, but it will not consume you, because the Lord is your Savior.

In closing, let these words from Psalm 40 be your testimony in advance: “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit… and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth” (Psalm 40:1-3).

Right now, you might still be in the waiting and crying phase, down in that pit. But hold on to God. He will lift you up at the right time. One day you’ll have a new song of praise, just as many who’ve gone before you.

You are not alone. You are loved. The same God who sustained David in the cave, Elijah under the tree, and Paul in prison is with you in your room tonight. Your depression is not the end of your story. In fact, with God, it can become a chapter that leads to greater purpose and empathy – you’ll comfort others with the comfort you receive (2 Cor 1:4).

For now, give yourself grace. Take one day at a time (Matthew 6:34). And let the Good Shepherd carry you on His shoulders when you’re too weak to walk. “The LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me” (Psalm 42:8).

Yes, even in the night of depression, His song is with you. Cling to Him, beloved. The dawn will break, and you’ll walk out of the valley with the Lord as your light.

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? ... Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him” (Psalm 42:11). Amen.

Citations

1. Proverbs 17:22 Commentary (BibleHub) – “A broken spirit refers to a state of deep despair or hopelessness... A ‘broken spirit’ suggests deep emotional distress or depression.”​biblehub.com
2. Adventist Today – “Depression Is Biblical” – Discussion of Hebrew shachah meaning “to hang down or droop” (despair)​atoday.org and ra’ash meaning a trembling, faint spirit​atoday.org; also Greek lupeo for sorrow (Matthew 26:38)​atoday.org and Paul’s use of exaporeo for utter despair​atoday.org. Includes examples of Job, Elijah, David, Jeremiah, Jonah, and Paul experiencing depression​atoday.org​atoday.org​atoday.org​atoday.org​atoday.org.
3. Right From The Heart Devotional – “The Darkness of Depression” – Reflections on Psalm 88 and Heman’s despair: “Heman’s troubles have piled up like bricks, building a wall of despair around him (verse 3). His world has become as dark as the gloomiest dungeon.”​rightfromtheheart.org Shows that even a faithful worship leader felt in “the pit of depression,” and God included his lament in Scripture to reassure us that He hears our desperate cries​rightfromtheheart.org. Encourages not to let depression drive us from God: “he did not allow depression to drive him away from the Lord, but towards Him”, noting we have an even clearer view of God’s faithfulness through Christ​rightfromtheheart.org.
4. ShareTheStruggle.org – “Bible Verses for Depression (KJV)” – Commentary on Psalm 23:4: “The ‘valley of the shadow of death’ symbolizes extreme danger or despair... Yet, we should not fear because God’s presence provides comfort and guidance.”​sharethestruggle.org. Also notes Isaiah 53:4-5 “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows...” as Jesus taking on our pain for our healing​sharethestruggle.org.
5. AwesomeChurch.com – Sermon on Depression – Cites Psalm 40:2 and Psalm 107:20: “He lifted me out of the slimy pit (Hebrew depression or despair) out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock”​awesomechurch.com, equating the “pit” with a state of despair. Emphasizes turning to God’s Word for healing and deliverance from “the pits” of destruction​awesomechurch.com.
6. GotQuestions.org – “Bind up the Brokenhearted” – Explains Isaiah 61:1/Luke 4:18: “The ‘brokenhearted’ are people who are weakened, crushed, or destroyed in spirit... The verb ‘bind up’... means ‘to inspire with confidence, give hope and courage to, to bandage.’”​gotquestions.org. Notes that Jesus fulfilled this by proclaiming good news and healing for the broken in spirit​gotquestions.org. Also references Psalm 34:18 as reassurance of God’s closeness to the brokenhearted​gotquestions.org.