Bible Verses on Depression - Encouragement For The Heavy Hearted

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We all know there has been a problem in our culture when it comes to talking about and encouraging help for those who struggle with mental illnesses. Depression is so common among us, and yet we discuss it so very little. Ironically the bible has plenty to say about depression, sadness, and heaviness.

I am of the belief that seasons of depression will find us all and that there is nothing wrong, abnormal or scary about that if we as the church do our job to make sure that our people are ready to endure and triumph over the things that life will inevitably throw at us. 

I am someone who has struggled a great deal with depression throughout my life. I tend to have an abundance of huge emotions swirling all the time and at time sadness can be an overwhelming and familiar companion. Throughout my struggles, I have compiled verses of depression that encourage me and help to lift me out of that pit of despair and sorrow. 

I know these verses help as I have also shared them with other in trying times and seen the encouragement these truths brought to them. Without further ado, here is what scripture has to say to the depressed and heavy-hearted.

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My Heart This Mother’s Day For The Woman Who Experienced Miscarriage or Infant Loss

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Three years ago next month mike and I found out we were pregnant with our first child. Not too long after we found out we were miscarrying. I don’t talk about it here much because it is still a tough subject for me and there is still a lot of pain that I am working through.

Today though I have to share my heart for all the other momma’s out there who have babies in heaven. Mother’s day can be a tough holiday because you just don’t know if your baby counts. 

My answer is a confident yes. Your baby counts. You get this day.

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What To Do When Things Falls Apart

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This is something I haven't shared a ton about publically but about a year and a half ago it would have seemed we’d lost everything. Mike and I know intimately how it feels when everything is falling apart. We’ve come out the other side of that tough season renewed and so excited to share some of the wisdom we acquired in what was one of the toughest seasons of our lives and our marriage. 

What do you do when everything is going wrong? Where is God when everything is crumbling? What comfort is there in the Bible when everything is falling apart? We want to shine some light on all of these questions.

If today you feel like everything is just falling apart and you are not sure what to do or even what to think then this post is just for you. We pray that this post helps to lift your spirit, give you some hope and nudges you closer to the Father. We pray that you also come through this season with a deeper intimacy with God and those closest to you.

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How To Resist Being Taken Hostage By Your Emotions

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I call it "the great downward spiral." At least that is what it feels like. It's like some weird shift in your mind where some disappointment or upsetting event triggers you and you fall right into the whirlpool of raging emotions and then begins the spinning. Some times you may not even know what set you off. Some days you just seem to wake up and the dark clouds settle over your mind for the day.

I imagine it’s like you are in a horse-drawn carriage, reigns in hand enjoying the ride and some inconsiderate comment, unmet expectation or hurt spooks your emotional horses and next thing you know they’re freaking out. In all the excitement you’ve dropped the reigns and lost control of your vehicle. You sit there watching the chaos and destruction you're causing but you have no clue how to reign it back in.

If any of these scenarios sound familiar to you then know you are not alone and I have some encouragement for you.

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The Destructiveness of Forgiveness - The Truth About Forgiveness

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I have been taken advantage of. I have been used. I have been victimized. I have been assaulted. I have been abandoned, rejected and given away. I have been betrayed. I have been offended and I have been abused. 

I have also been the one taking advantage of people. I have been the manipulator. I have hurt people and I have created victims. 

I tell you these things so that you can be confident that I know my way around unforgiveness. I know what it feels like to struggle to forgive people who have let you down and hurt you and I also am well acquainted with what it feels like to struggle to forgive what you believe to be unforgivable in you.

Today I am sharing all the things you risk losing by giving into forgiveness. People rarely tell you all of the things in your life that will be destroyed when you truly forgive and live forgiven.

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I Didn't Do What I Was Supposed To Do...So Now What Do I Do? | Dealing with Guilt and Condemnation

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Man. Who isn’t all too familiar with this feeling? “I didn’t do what I know I was supposed to do and now I don’t know what to do.” That is the worst. For me, this plays out in social situations. I know I should go say hello to someone or that I should strike up a conversation with this person or that person and I spam out and let anxiety and fear keep me from doing it and then I guilt and shame myself for not doing it so next time an opportunity pops up I am buried beneath my own idea of how much I suck so I fail again. 

Goodness, there are so many ways this scenario could work itself out. Maybe you were supposed to do something that you didn’t want to do so you just didn’t. Maybe you felt lead to accept a job or make a big move or share the gospel with someone and you ignored it. 

Today I want to focus on what you do after you failed to do what you should have done.

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The Key To Overcoming Fear of Rejection

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I remember the night I got saved. I cried myself to sleep because I was so wonderfully overwhelmed by the fact that if I died I would go to heaven and be with Jesus. I was overwhelmed that Jesus would want to spend all of eternity with me. I am still overwhelmed that He choose to give His life just to make a way to spend forever with me.

Still, life goes on. Even as a Christian people will turn you away. They will reject you and offend you. How do we deal with these situations? How do we deal with rejection in a way that keeps us from retaliating and sinning in our anger? How do we find a way to love in the midst of rejection? I have been going through this quite a bit lately and I think I have some tips and encouragements  to share. This is just some stuff that the Lord has been sharing with me. 

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