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Sadness and depression are more than merely waking up on the wrong side of the bed. So often, life has given us such a strong, steady dose of unmet expectations we lose hope and faith in the possibility of a better day.
It's like sowing a field of crop and later checking on it and seeing your field full of weeds instead. Weeds, like disappointment, can pop up suddenly in life and bring on feelings of depression, sadness, and even frustration.
If the weeds are unmanaged, they will cause significant harm to your good crops. They take away nutrients and water from your crops and even attract unwanted pests.
Similarly, when we don’t deal with sadness or depression, they strip us of happiness, joy, motivation, and hope while attracting bad habits, low self-esteem, and unhealthy thought patterns.
The Bible is full of life-giving verses of scripture that help us gain a healthy perspective when disappointment happens. Scriptures also give us little nuggets of wisdom, declarations of strength, and the confidence to believe that we will soon come out of the bad times.
In this article, we will define sadness and depression while also looking at their differences. Then, we will explore bible verses about sadness or depression that are uplifting and encouraging.
What is Sadness?
Sadness is a normal emotional pain felt when a negative occurrence happens, such as losing a loved one, failing at something important to us, not reaching a goal, or being let down by someone we expected more out of.
We can try to make life as perfect and carefree as possible, but it is inevitable to experience times of sadness. Whether it comes from an argument with our spouses or being overlooked for a promotion at work. Unmet expectations will occur and usher in the emotion of sadness.
Feelings of sadness are just a sign that you are human and you feel that some things in life are worth protecting. So, sadness is a healthy emotion, though we try to avoid it. When we are sad or depressed, we learn how to appreciate life as we process all the changes that come with it.
But, how do you know if you are sad or feeling depressed?
If you are sad or depressed, you may feel or do any of the following:
Trying to be cheerful and happy every day can be tiring and harmful to our overall well-being. Many philosophers feel that we must first let ourselves be sad before we can truly know what happiness means.
If we didn’t know how it felt to be sad, we wouldn’t truly appreciate happiness. The Bible is full of verses that give us hope in times of sadness.
What is Depression, and How Does It Differ from Sadness?
We often use the words sadness and depression interchangeably. We say, “I'm just really depressed today,” but I want you to look deeper into any negative feelings you may have to see if you are truly sad or experiencing a deeper form of depression.
Being sad is normal, and so are mild forms of depression, but clinical depression is a serious disorder. When unhappy or have mild depression, we feel down, but we are still willing to hang out with friends or go out and enjoy a good movie.
When experiencing depression, things that make us joyful, we no longer find pleasure. In that way, sadness and depression may be associated, but depression can be much more intense form of sadness.
In more severe cases, depression is considered a significant depressive medical condition that affects you socially and your daily functions. It also alters your brain and even negatively impacts the body.
When you are sad after a negative event, you may have trouble sleeping that night, or your sleep quality will be significantly affected.
When you are severely depressed, you may experience one of two extremes: you will either experience significant periods of insomnia or hypersomnia (difficulty sleeping or getting too much sleep).
Here are more symptoms of depression:
If you or someone you know are experiencing any of these symptoms, please don't hesitate to contact licensed medical professionals trained to assist those dealing with severe cases of depression.
On the road to emotional healing, you will also find the Bible as a lifeline when dealing with sadness and depression. It is full of scriptures with much to say about these conditions and even examples of those who experienced and overcame these feelings.
As you read the following bible verses, may you find that you are not alone when dealing with sadness or depression, and there is hope for a much more beautiful and brighter day.
25 Bible Verses About Dealing with Sadness or Depression
1. Psalms 55:22
“Cast your burden on the Lord [release it], and He will sustain and uphold you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail).”
2. Psalms 91:2
“I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust [with great confidence, and on whom I rely]!”
3. 2nd Corinthians 4:18
“So, we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.”
So, we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.” – 2nd Corinthians 4:18
4. Psalms 23
“The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil, My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.”
5. 2nd Corinthians 12:9
“But He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.”
6. Psalms 34:17-18
“When the righteous cry [for help], the Lord hears. And rescues them from all their distress and troubles. The Lord is near to the heartbroken, and He saves those who are crushed in spirit (contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin).”
7. Matthew 11:28
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].”
8. Isaiah 41:10
“Do not fear [anything], for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; be assured I will help you. I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].”
9. 1st Corinthians 1:3
“Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
10. Deuteronomy 31:8
“It is the Lord who goes before you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
11. 2nd Corinthians 1:3-4
“Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” – 2nd Corinthians 1:3-4
12. 1st Peter 5:7
“Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].”
13. Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]”
14. John 16:33
“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world, you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]”
15. Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
16. Psalms 40:1-2
“I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord, And He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of a horrible pit [of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay,And He set my feet upon a rock, steadying my footsteps and establishing my path.”
17. Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].”
18. Revelations 21:4
“And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will no longer be death; there will no longer be sorrow and anguish, or crying, or pain; for the former order of things has passed away.”
19. Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.” – Romans 15:13
20. Romans 8:28
“And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.”
21. Psalms 3:3
“But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,My glory [and my honor], and the One who lifts my head.”
22. Psalms 42:11
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? Why have you become restless and disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.”
23. Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
24. 1st Peter 4:12-13
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you. But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when His glory [filled with His radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may rejoice with great joy.”
25. Psalms 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow].”
Final Thoughts on Bible Verses About Sadness
As someone who battled sadness and depression for a long time, faith and hope in God helped me preserve. I have seen times of sorrow and hopelessness turn to times of great laughter and joy when I took several of these bible verses to heart.
So many others have been blessed to find hope through these verses of scriptures when their mood was ruined by expected disappointment. I believe you will, too.
These verses can help you feel grounded and build your faith in God as supreme. You have a brighter future ahead! Just don’t give up.
And if you feel the need to speak to a licensed, trained professional about your depression, don't hesitate to get the support you need.
There is no shame is asking for help from someone other than God. In fact, he may be sending that help to you when you need it most.
And if you're looking for more Bible verses to help you get through tough times, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 33 Bible Verses About Personal Growth and Change
- 55 Bible Verses About Gratitude to Be More Thankful in Life
- 21 Bible Verses About Having Self-Control in Your Life
