25 Powerful Bible Verses for Anxiety and Depression (KJV)

Many years ago, I saw a completely insensitive statement on social media that claimed the only reason a person struggles from depression and anxiety is because they aren’t a real Christian.

Not only is that completely unproven, but it is a full assault on the hearts and minds of wonderful Christians who struggle with mental health. I am one of those Christians.

Our mental health can suffer for big or small reasons. All of us go through hard times, we live in a fallen world!

Sometimes these challenges are temporary, but an anxiety disorder or any form of depression can also be chronic, lasting a long time.

Support from family members, your church and your friends can go a long way, as can speaking to a Christian counselor for their advice.

But the good news of God’s love for us can also help us focus on thoughts of peace and comfort when the troubles of life start to make us feel like we’re drowning.

These Scriptures, taken mostly from the King James Version, can encourage and remind you of God’s promises to you, whether you’re having an anxiety attack that’s part of a greater struggle or are temporarily in the midst of depressing circumstances.

The Word of God is truly the most powerful weapon for fighting back the lies of the devil when he tries to convince you that you are not worthy or that you are doomed to suffer for the rest of your life.

I have read and prayed these Bible verses through my own times of trouble. Doing this doesn’t necessarily fix whatever bleak situation I’m dealing with, but it does help me take a deep breath and focus on the love of God and His mercy to me (rather than only focusing on my fears).

The 25 Scriptures and Bible passages I’m sharing with you fall into a few categories that I’ve found helpful as I look through the Bible when I’m struggling. They remind me of God’s perspective and God’s plan and are a great way to combat the falsehoods that I tell myself with truth.

25 Powerful Bible Verses for Anxiety and Depression (KJV)

God Gives Us Joy and Peace

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. Proverbs 12:25

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. Psalms 3:3

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace , whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Psalms 40:3

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalms 30:5

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:15

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV

God Cares for Us

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

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. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

I like how the KJV phrases this familiar verse: instead of saying “I know the plans I have for you,” it talks about the way God thinks about us, showing that He is a good Father who cares about the future of His child–YOU!

God Rescues Us

In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. Psalms 94:19

I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Answer me speedily, O Lord; My spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, lest I be like those who go down into the pit. Psalm 143:6-7 NKJV

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

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

The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. Psalms 34:17-18

God Gives Us Courage

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

“For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:13

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. Psalms 31:24

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

God Provides

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?…And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matthew 6:26, 28

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:31-32

God is our Safe Dwelling Place

O Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Psalm 90:1

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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. Psalms 23:1-4

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 ESV

God Comforts and Assures

Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:2-5

This passage from Romans 8 is a powerful testimony to read and pray over when you are struggling with assurance of salvation:

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39

I am not a doctor, and nothing I say should be taken as medical advice.

But as a Christian mom who has wrestled with anxiety, I would encourage you to also seek Christian counseling if you feel that what you are going through is beyond what you can manage through prayer and time. There is nothing wrong with seeking professional help when you are struggling with mental illness.

You may also be encouraged by this post:

10 Things You Can Do as A Christian Mom to Manage Anxiety and Depression

All quotations taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible, public domain, unless noted.