Finding Hope: Navigating Depression

A Note for Readers:
This article is not intended to be medical advice, and we encourage readers who are struggling with significant emotional distress to reach out to a trusted healthcare provider as needed. The CBN Prayer Center is available 24/7 to take your call or connect online. Our team can also pray with you and provide additional resources. You can reach the Prayer Center by phone at 800-700-7000 or connect online at CBN.com/prayer.

Depression

A common yet serious mental disorder that negatively affects how people think, feel, act, and even perceive the world is called depression. It can result in irritability, loss of interest, change in appetite and sleep, feelings of worthlessness, and even difficulty concentrating.[1]

Personal interpretation, childhood history, and cultural background can play a large part in how someone views their struggles, including the words they use to describe their emotions or symptoms.

A medical professional can diagnose depression as it typically impacts a person’s day-to-day life, thoughts, and mood. Because of the stigma around mental health issues, many people don’t use “depression” or “feeling depressed” to describe their experiences. Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, despair, lack of interest, worthlessness, emotional numbness, or guilt may align more with your circumstances.

You may experience these emotions in seasons, or this may be a life-long struggle. While sorrow and despair may be temporary or a constant part of our lives, we are reminded of the hope and comfort in God’s presence and promises.

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. (Psalm 34:17-18)

It’s common for people to go through periods when they feel disconnected, depressed, or helpless. However, if your experience with these feelings is constant, we encourage you to seek the support of a healthcare professional. Sometimes, we are walking through more than just a season of difficulty and need the help and support provided by expertly trained professionals.

God’s Desire for His People

In Scripture, we see heroes of our faith walking through seasons of emotional struggle. Jeremiah was known as the “weeping prophet” because of the difficulties and trials he encountered, recorded in the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations.

God never abandoned Jeremiah; He was always present and guiding Him. He promises Jeremiah hope and restoration (Jeremiah 15:11, 19).

God wants His children to seek Him as a place of refuge (Psalm 46:1). He is close to those in pain, yet His ways are not like man’s ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). One of the hardest things for someone suffering from depression is negative thinking, thinking the situation is hopeless. There is hope in Jesus Christ. We are never too far from God, and there is no situation too hopeless for God to heal.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13).

Who Experienced Depression-like Symptoms in Scripture

Hannah: Hannah struggled with infertility and expressed deep anguish and distress over her situation. She bitterly weeps and cries out to the Lord as she fervently desires a child (1 Samuel 1:10-15).

Jeremiah: Known as the “weeping prophet,” Jeremiah lamented over God’s people’s wickedness and rebellion, expressing his loneliness, rejection, and anguish (Jeremiah 13:17; Jeremiah 20:14-18; Jeremiah 15:18).

Peter: After denying Jesus three times, Peter weeps bitterly when he realizes his betrayal—likely experiencing helplessness, and despair (Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62).

Job: In the entire book of Job, we read that Job loses his family, health, and wealth, and as a result, he faces feelings of hopelessness, despair, and anguish.

How about David? I’ve heard some credible claims that he was bipolar. You don’t have to put that in there.  

These are just some examples of God’s people who struggled. You may relate to these individual’s stories and feelings, or your experience may differ entirely. No matter the situation, your feelings are valid and real.

Despite our suffering, God is good (Psalm 31:19, Psalm 23:6, Luke 18:19, Mark 10:18, Matthew 19:17). The fact that God is good does not mean that we will live a life free from affliction, pain, troubles, worry, hardship, loss, anxiety, depression, or struggle. In John 16:33, Jesus says, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

In our hope, faith, and trust in God and His Word, we can see the purpose in our pain, the beauty that comes from the ashes, and the abundant life Jesus promises. So while we will have trials in this world, we can “take heart, because [Jesus] has overcome the world.”

How to Experience God’s Comfort

As we earnestly seek the Lord through prayer and reading His Word, we can be encouraged by God’s promises and rely on Him in our times of uncertainty.

God never leaves our side. He is omnipresent, meaning that He is everywhere at all times. God is there when we walk through the inevitable seasons of heaviness and emotional difficulty that is part of the human experience. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. We can find encouragement and hope in His ever-available, never-moving presence.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand”(Isaiah 41:10).

When we’re in despair and feel worthless, our worth is found in who God says we are. The world around us can play a massive part in how we view ourselves. What these outside voices say is not the truth. The truth is found in God’s Word. Look to these passages of Scripture for His truth! Read the Scripture and ask the Holy Spirit to bring comfort and peace as you immerse yourself in God’s Word.

Consider memorizing one(s) to pray through when you’re feeling trapped in depression.

• Joy—Psalm 16:11; Nehemiah 8:10
• Hope—Romans 15:13; Psalm 42:11
• Peace—John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7
• Contentment—Philippians 4:11-13; Hebrews 13:5
• Strength—Isaiah 40:31; Philippians 4:13
• Renewal—Psalm 51:10; Isaiah 40:29-31
• Comfort—Psalm 23:4; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
• Encouragement—1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 10:24-25
• Restoration—Psalm 23:3; Joel 2:25-26
• Purpose—Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2:10

As we earnestly seek the Lord through prayer and reading His Word, we can be encouraged by God’s promises and rely on Him in our times of uncertainty. We need to tackle this battle one day at a time, armed with God’s Word.

You don’t have to go into battle alone. The CBN Prayer Center is available 24/7 to take your call or connect online. Our team can also pray with you and provide additional resources as needed. You can reach the Prayer Center by phone at 800-700-7000 or connect online at CBN.com/prayer.

Personal Prayer

If you’re unsure where to start, we have a guided prayer to help you in your time with the Lord. We mentioned that individual experiences and cultural differences shape the way we view and describe our mental health struggles. You may find it helpful to insert your own descriptive words in the brackets below. Using specific words you identify with to describe your personal experiences best may also be beneficial.

God, I am in [pain]. I feel [sorrowful] and [distant from You] and from what I think my life should look like. I don’t know what to do next. I feel [numb] and [despondent]. I know that Your Word says that You are here for the brokenhearted, and You comfort those in despair.

Help guide me. Show me if there is anything I can do to change my situation, and if not, give me the peace knowing that this is beyond my control. Let me find clarity in my situation as You provide my next steps.

I ask for total freedom and complete healing from this. I’m Yours, and I trust You fully. In Jesus’ name. Amen.