7 Figures From The Bible Who Battled Depression
June 22, 2016

7 Biblical Examples Of Depression
Maybe it started as a bad day. Maybe it was a traumatic event. Maybe you don't know how or even when it started. Whatever the cause may be, once depression sets in, it can be extremely difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it's easy to feel alone and isolated, even from God. If that's where you are, let this article on 7 biblical examples of depression from Crosswalk remind you that there's hope through our Lord and Savior!
Biblical Examples of Depression 1: David was troubled and battled deep despair.
In many of the Psalms, he writes of his anguish, loneliness, fear of the enemy, his heart-cry over sin, and the guilt he struggled with because of it. We also see his huge grief in the loss of his sons in 2 Samuel 12:15-23 and 18:33. In other places, David’s honesty with his own weaknesses gives hope to us who struggle today: “My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.” Ps. 38:4 “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Ps. 42:11 RELATED: A prayer for strength for when you are weak and wearyBiblical Examples of Depression 2: Elijah was discouraged, weary, and afraid.
After great spiritual victories over the prophets of Baal, this mighty man of God feared and ran for his life, far away from the threats of Jezebel. And there in the desert, he sat down and prayed, defeated and worn: “I have had enough Lord, he said. Take my life, I am not better than my ancestors.” 1 Kings 19:4 RELATED: 5 destructive lies you tell yourself every dayBiblical Examples of Depression 3: Jonah was angry and wanted to run away.
After God called Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach to the people, he fled as far away as could. And after a storm at sea, being swallowed by a giant fish, and then being saved and given a second chance, he obeyed. He preached God’s message to the people of Nineveh. God’s mercy reached out to all people who turned to Him. But instead of rejoicing, Jonah got mad: “Now O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:3 And even after God reached out to Jonah again with great compassion, he responded, “…I am angry enough to die.” Jonah 4:9 RELATED: 31 bible verses for facing life's battles
Biblical Examples of Depression 4: Job suffered through great loss, devastation, and physical illness.
This righteous man of God lost literally everything. So great was his suffering and tragedy that even his own wife said, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” Job 2:9 Though Job maintained his faithfulness to God throughout his life, he still struggled deeply through the trenches of pain: “Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?” Job 3:11 “I have no peace, no quietness, I have no rest, but only turmoil.” Job 3:26 “I loathe my very life, therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.” Job 10:1 “Terrors overwhelm me…my life ebbs away, days of suffering grip me. Night pierces my bones, my gnawing pains never rest.” Job 30:15-17 RELATED: A powerful prayer for when sickness comesBiblical Examples of Depression 5: Moses was grieved over the sin of his people.
In his feelings of anger and betrayal from his own people, Moses, as a leader, was about ready to quit. He came down from his mountaintop experience with God, commandments in hand, only to find the Israelites in complete chaos and sin. His heart-cry to God on their behalf was desperate: “But now, please forgive their sin – but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.” Ex. 32:32 RELATED: How to find God's grace when waiting on prodigalsBiblical Examples of Depression 6: Jeremiah wrestled with great loneliness, feelings of defeat, and insecurity.
Also known as the weeping prophet, Jeremiah suffered from constant rejection by the people he loved and reached out to. God had called him to preach, yet forbidden him to marry and have children. He lived alone, he ministered alone, he was poor, ridiculed, and rejected by his people. In the midst of it, he displayed great spiritual faith and strength, and yet we also see his honesty as he wrestled with despair and a great sense of failure: “Cursed be the day I was born…why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?” Jer. 20:14,18 RELATED: 10 verses of comfort for tough timesBiblical Examples of Depression 7: Even Jesus Himself was deeply anguished over what lay before Him.
He knew what was to come. He knew that God had called him to a journey of great suffering, he knew what must happen in order for us to live truly free. Our Savior and Lord was willing to pay the price on our behalf, but it wasn’t an easy road. Isaiah prophesied that Christ would be "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." Is. 53:3 We can be assured, that in whatever we face, Jesus understands our weakness and suffering, our greatest times of temptation and despair, because he too traveled that road, yet without sin.
This teen boy was too depressed to move until he met this horse!

Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Help Us Celebrate America’s Presidents - Your Daily Prayer - February 17
Father, we thank You for the courageous men who have served our nation as president. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for those who have sought to follow Your will.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Help Us Celebrate America’s Presidents - Your Daily Prayer - February 17
Father, we thank You for the courageous men who have served our nation as president. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for those who have sought to follow Your will.
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