DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, DESPAIR - PEACE, HOPE, and ENCOURAGEMENT: according to the Bible

Worry is a heavy burden

Pro 12:25  Worry is a heavy burden, but a kind word always brings cheer.



worrying about the weather

Ecc 11:1  Be generous, and someday you will be rewarded.
Ecc 11:2  Share what you have with seven or eight others, because you never know when disaster may strike.
Ecc 11:3  Rain clouds always bring rain; trees always stay wherever they fall.
Ecc 11:4  If you worry about the weather and don't plant seeds, you won't harvest a crop.



Be cheerful, Rid yourself of all worry

Ecc 11:9  Be cheerful and enjoy life while you are young! Do what you want and find pleasure in what you see. But don't forget that God will judge you for everything you do.
Ecc 11:10  Rid yourself of all worry and pain, because the wonderful moments of youth quickly disappear.



rest without a worry and sleep soundly

Pro 3:21  My child, use common sense and sound judgment! Always keep them in mind.
Pro 3:22  They will help you to live a long and beautiful life.
Pro 3:23  You will walk safely and never stumble;
Pro 3:24  you will rest without a worry and sleep soundly.
Pro 3:25  So don't be afraid of sudden disasters or storms that strike those who are evil.
Pro 3:26  You can be sure that the LORD will protect you from harm.



worries, worries, worries!

1Co 7:32  I want all of you to be free from worry. An unmarried man worries about how to please the Lord.
1Co 7:33  But a married man has more worries. He must worry about the things of this world, because he wants to please his wife.
1Co 7:34  So he is pulled in two directions. Unmarried women and women who have never been married worry only about pleasing the Lord, and they keep their bodies and minds pure. But a married woman worries about the things of this world, because she wants to please her husband.




Don't let evil people worry you or make you jealous

Pro 24:16  Even if good people fall seven times, they will get back up. But when trouble strikes the wicked, that's the end of them.
Pro 24:17  Don't be happy to see your enemies trip and fall down.
Pro 24:18  The LORD will find out and be unhappy. Then he will stop being angry with them.
Pro 24:19  Don't let evil people worry you or make you jealous.
Pro 24:20  They will soon be gone like the flame of a lamp that burns out.




Hope, Security, Safety and Protection in times of depression, anxiety, trouble and worry

PSALMS 91

Psa 91:1  Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful.
Psa 91:2  Then you will say to the LORD, "You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you."
Psa 91:3  The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases.
Psa 91:4  He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall.
Psa 91:5  You won't need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day.
Psa 91:6  And you won't fear diseases that strike in the dark or sudden disaster at noon.
Psa 91:7  You will not be harmed, though thousands fall all around you.
Psa 91:8  And with your own eyes you will see the punishment of the wicked.
Psa 91:9  The LORD Most High is your fortress. Run to him for safety,
Psa 91:10  and no terrible disasters will strike you or your home.
Psa 91:11  God will command his angels to protect you wherever you go.
Psa 91:12  They will carry you in their arms, and you won't hurt your feet on the stones.
Psa 91:13  You will overpower the strongest lions and the most deadly snakes.
Psa 91:14  The Lord says, "If you love me and truly know who I am, I will rescue you and keep you safe.
Psa 91:15  When you are in trouble, call out to me. I will answer and be there to protect and honor you.
Psa 91:16  You will live a long life and see my saving power."




Let your hope make you glad

Rom 12:11  Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord.
Rom 12:12  Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.




Encouragement even when evil people succeed

PSALMS 37 (by King David)

Psa 37:1  Don't be annoyed by anyone who does wrong, and don't envy them.
Psa 37:2  They will soon disappear like grass without rain.
Psa 37:3  Trust the LORD and live right! The land will be yours, and you will be safe.
Psa 37:4  Do what the LORD wants, and he will give you your heart's desire.
Psa 37:5  Let the LORD lead you and trust him to help.
Psa 37:6  Then it will be as clear as the noonday sun that you were right.
Psa 37:7  Be patient and trust the LORD. Don't let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things.
Psa 37:8  Don't be angry or furious. Anger can lead to sin.
Psa 37:9  All sinners will disappear, but if you trust the LORD, the land will be yours.
Psa 37:10  Sinners will soon disappear, never to be found,
Psa 37:11  but the poor will take the land and enjoy a big harvest.
Psa 37:12  Merciless people make plots against good people and snarl like animals,
Psa 37:13  but the Lord laughs and knows their time is coming soon.
Psa 37:14  The wicked kill with swords and shoot arrows to murder the poor and the needy and all who do right.
Psa 37:15  But they will be killed by their own swords, and their arrows will be broken.
Psa 37:16  It is better to live right and be poor than to be sinful and rich.
Psa 37:17  The wicked will lose all of their power, but the LORD gives strength to everyone who is good.
Psa 37:18  Those who obey the LORD are daily in his care, and what he has given them will be theirs forever.
Psa 37:19  They won't be in trouble when times are bad, and they will have plenty when food is scarce.
Psa 37:20  Wicked people are enemies of the LORD and will vanish like smoke from a field on fire.
Psa 37:21  An evil person borrows and never pays back; a good person is generous and never stops giving.
Psa 37:22  Everyone the LORD blesses will receive the land; everyone the LORD curses will be destroyed.
Psa 37:23  If you do what the LORD wants, he will make certain each step you take is sure.
Psa 37:24  The LORD will hold your hand, and if you stumble, you still won't fall.
Psa 37:25  As long as I can remember, good people have never been left helpless, and their children have never gone begging for food.
Psa 37:26  They gladly give and lend, and their children turn out good.
Psa 37:27  If you stop sinning and start doing right, you will keep living and be secure forever.
Psa 37:28  The LORD loves justice, and he won't ever desert his faithful people. He always protects them, but destroys the children of the wicked.
Psa 37:29  God's people will own the land and live here forever.
Psa 37:30  Words of wisdom come when good people speak for justice.
Psa 37:31  They remember God's teachings, and they never take a wrong step.
Psa 37:32  The wicked try to trap and kill good people,
Psa 37:33  but the LORD is on their side, and he will defend them when they are on trial.
Psa 37:34  Trust the LORD and follow him. He will give you the land, and you will see the wicked destroyed.
Psa 37:35  I have seen brutal people abuse others and grow strong like trees in rich soil.
Psa 37:36  Suddenly they disappeared! I looked, but they were gone and no longer there.
Psa 37:37  Think of the bright future waiting for all the families of honest and innocent and peace-loving people.
Psa 37:38  But not a trace will be left of the wicked or their families.
Psa 37:39  The LORD protects his people, and they can come to him in times of trouble.
Psa 37:40  The LORD helps them and saves them from the wicked because they run to him.





Don't let it bother you when others get rich and live in luxury

Psa 49:5  Why should I be afraid in times of trouble, when I am surrounded by vicious enemies?
Psa 49:6  They trust in their riches and brag about all of their wealth.
Psa 49:7  You cannot buy back your life or pay off God!
Psa 49:8  It costs far too much to buy back your life. You can never pay God enough
Psa 49:9  to stay alive forever and safe from death.
Psa 49:10  We see that wise people die, and so do stupid fools. Then their money is left for someone else.
Psa 49:11  The grave will be their home forever and ever, although they once had land of their own.
Psa 49:12  Our human glory disappears, and, like animals, we die.
Psa 49:13  Here is what happens to fools and to those who trust the words of fools:
Psa 49:14  They are like sheep with death as their shepherd, leading them to the grave. In the morning God's people will walk all over them, as their bodies lie rotting in their home, the grave.
Psa 49:15  But God will rescue me from the power of death.
Psa 49:16  Don't let it bother you when others get rich and live in luxury.
Psa 49:17  Soon they will die and all of their wealth will be left behind.
Psa 49:18  We humans are praised when we do well, and all of us are glad to be alive.
Psa 49:19  But we each will go down to our ancestors, never again to see the light of day.
Psa 49:20  Our human glory disappears, and, like animals, we die.





GOD offers hope amidst misery, trouble, sufferings and distress

Psa 10:2  Proud and brutal people hunt down the poor. But let them get caught by their own evil plans!
Psa 10:3  The wicked brag about their deepest desires. Those greedy people hate and curse you, LORD.
Psa 10:4  The wicked are too proud to turn to you or even think about you.
Psa 10:5  They are always successful, though they can't understand your teachings, and they keep sneering at their enemies.
Psa 10:6  In their hearts they say, "Nothing can hurt us! We'll always be happy and free from trouble."
Psa 10:7  They curse and tell lies, and all they talk about is how to be cruel or how to do wrong.
Psa 10:8  They hide outside villages, waiting to strike and murder some innocent victim.
Psa 10:9  They are hungry lions hiding in the bushes, hoping to catch some helpless passerby. They trap the poor in nets and drag them away.
Psa 10:10  They crouch down and wait to grab a victim.
Psa 10:11  They say, "God can't see! He's got on a blindfold."
Psa 10:12  Do something, LORD God, and use your powerful arm to help those in need.
Psa 10:13  The wicked don't respect you. In their hearts they say, "God won't punish us!"
Psa 10:14  But you see the trouble and the distress, and you will do something. The poor can count on you, and so can orphans.
Psa 10:15  Now break the arms of all merciless people. Punish them for doing wrong and make them stop.
Psa 10:16  Our LORD, you will always rule, but nations will vanish from the earth.
Psa 10:17  You listen to the longings of those who suffer. You offer them hope, and you pay attention to their cries for help.
Psa 10:18  You defend orphans and everyone else in need, so that no one on earth can terrify others again.





strength, guidance, support and help that comes from GOD

Psa 18:1 I love you, LORD God, and you make me strong.
Psa 18:2  You are my mighty rock, my fortress, my protector, the rock where I am safe, my shield, my powerful weapon, and my place of shelter.
Psa 18:3  I praise you, LORD! I prayed, and you rescued me from my enemies.
Psa 18:4  Death had wrapped its ropes around me, and I was almost swallowed by its flooding waters.
Psa 18:5  Ropes from the world of the dead had coiled around me, and death had set a trap in my path.
Psa 18:6  I was in terrible trouble when I called out to you, but from your temple you heard me and answered my prayer.

Psa 18:30  Your way is perfect, LORD, and your word is correct. You are a shield for those who run to you for help.
Psa 18:31  You alone are God! Only you are a mighty rock.
Psa 18:32  You give me strength and guide me right.
Psa 18:33  You make my feet run as fast as those of a deer, and you help me stand on the mountains.
Psa 18:34  You teach my hands to fight and my arms to use a bow of bronze.
Psa 18:35  You alone are my shield. Your right hand supports me, and by coming to help me, you have made me famous.
Psa 18:36  You clear the way for me, and now I won't stumble.





GOD will protect you, keep you safe and you will have no fears

Psa 27:1  You, LORD, are the light that keeps me safe. I am not afraid of anyone. You protect me, and I have no fears.
Psa 27:2  Brutal people may attack and try to kill me, but they will stumble. Fierce enemies may attack, but they will fall.
Psa 27:3  Armies may surround me, but I won't be afraid; war may break out, but I will trust you.
Psa 27:4  I ask only one thing, LORD: Let me live in your house every day of my life to see how wonderful you are and to pray in your temple.
Psa 27:5  In times of trouble, you will protect me. You will hide me in your tent and keep me safe on top of a mighty rock.
Psa 27:6  You will let me defeat all of my enemies. Then I will celebrate, as I enter your tent with animal sacrifices and songs of praise.
Psa 27:7  Please listen when I pray! Have pity. Answer my prayer.
Psa 27:8  My heart tells me to pray. I am eager to see your face,
Psa 27:9  so don't hide from me. I am your servant, and you have helped me. Don't turn from me in anger. You alone keep me safe. Don't reject or desert me.
Psa 27:10  Even if my father and mother should desert me, you will take care of me.
Psa 27:11  Teach me to follow, LORD, and lead me on the right path because of my enemies.
Psa 27:12  Don't let them do to me what they want. People tell lies about me and make terrible threats,
Psa 27:13  but I know I will live to see how kind you are.
Psa 27:14  Trust the LORD! Be brave and strong and trust the LORD.




LORD, You are my hiding place! You protect me from trouble

Psa 32:7  You are my hiding place! You protect me from trouble, and you put songs in my heart because you have saved me.
Psa 32:8  You said to me, "I will point out the road that you should follow. I will be your teacher and watch over you.
Psa 32:9  Don't be stupid like horses and mules that must be led with ropes to make them obey."
Psa 32:10  All kinds of troubles will strike the wicked, but your kindness shields those who trust you, LORD.
Psa 32:11  And so your good people should celebrate and shout.





God saw the trouble we were in. God's love never fails

Psa 136:1  Praise the LORD! He is good. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:2  Praise the God of all gods. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:3  Praise the Lord of lords. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:4  Only God works great miracles. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:5  With wisdom he made the sky. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:6  The Lord stretched the earth over the ocean. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:7  He made the bright lights in the sky. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:8  He lets the sun rule each day. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:9  He lets the moon and the stars rule each night. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:10  God struck down the first-born in every Egyptian family. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:11  He rescued Israel from Egypt. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:12  God used his great strength and his powerful arm. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:13  He split the Red Sea apart. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:14  The Lord brought Israel safely through the sea. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:15  He destroyed the Egyptian king and his army there. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:16  The Lord led his people through the desert. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:17  Our God defeated mighty kings. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:18  And he killed famous kings. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:19  One of them was Sihon, king of the Amorites. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:20  Another was King Og of Bashan. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:21  God took away their land. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:22  He gave their land to Israel, the people who serve him. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:23  God saw the trouble we were in. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:24  He rescued us from our enemies. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:25  He gives food to all who live. God's love never fails.
Psa 136:26  Praise God in heaven! God's love never fails.





seek ye first the Kingdom of GOD and His righteousness

Mat 6:25  I tell you not to worry about your life. Don't worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn't life more than food or clothing?
Mat 6:26  Look at the birds in the sky! They don't plant or harvest. They don't even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren't you worth more than birds?
Mat 6:27  Can worry make you live longer?
Mat 6:28  Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don't work hard to make their clothes.
Mat 6:29  But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn't as well clothed as one of them.
Mat 6:30  God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith?
Mat 6:31  Don't worry and ask yourselves, "Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?"
Mat 6:32  Only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these.
Mat 6:33  But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.
Mat 6:34  Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.




Can worry make you live longer?

Luk 12:20  But God said to him, "You fool! Tonight you will die. Then who will get what you have stored up?"
Luk 12:21  "This is what happens to people who store up everything for themselves, but are poor in the sight of God."
Luk 12:22  Jesus said to his disciples: I tell you not to worry about your life! Don't worry about having something to eat or wear.
Luk 12:23  Life is more than food or clothing.
Luk 12:24  Look at the crows! They don't plant or harvest, and they don't have storehouses or barns. But God takes care of them. You are much more important than any birds.
Luk 12:25  Can worry make you live longer?
Luk 12:26  If you don't have power over small things, why worry about everything else?
Luk 12:27  Look how the wild flowers grow! They don't work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn't as well clothed as one of these flowers.
Luk 12:28  God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. Won't he do even more for you? You have such little faith!
Luk 12:29  Don't keep worrying about having something to eat or drink.
Luk 12:30  Only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father knows what you need.
Luk 12:31  But put God's work first, and these things will be yours as well.
Luk 12:32  My little group of disciples, don't be afraid! Your Father wants to give you the kingdom.
Luk 12:33  Sell what you have and give the money to the poor. Make yourselves moneybags that never wear out. Make sure your treasure is safe in heaven, where thieves cannot steal it and moths cannot destroy it.
Luk 12:34  Your heart will always be where your treasure is.




don't worry about what people might do

1Pe 3:9  Don't be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God's chosen ones, and he will bless you. The Scriptures say,
1Pe 3:10  "Do you really love life? Do you want to be happy? Then stop saying cruel things and quit telling lies.
1Pe 3:11  Give up your evil ways and do right, as you find and follow the road that leads to peace.
1Pe 3:12  The Lord watches over everyone who obeys him, and he listens to their prayers. But he opposes everyone who does evil."
1Pe 3:13  Can anyone really harm you for being eager to do good deeds?
1Pe 3:14  Even if you have to suffer for doing good things, God will bless you. So stop being afraid and don't worry about what people might do.
1Pe 3:15  Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope.
1Pe 3:16  Give a kind and respectful answer and keep your conscience clear. This way you will make people ashamed for saying bad things about your good conduct as a follower of Christ.
1Pe 3:17  You are better off to obey God and suffer for doing right than to suffer for doing wrong.




peace of God which passes all understanding

Php 4:6  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Php 4:7  And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.



 
you will live a full life if you trust the LORD

Pro 28:25  Selfish people cause trouble, but you will live a full life if you trust the LORD.





The LORD is good

Nah 1:7  The LORD is good. He protects those who trust him in times of trouble.





GOD comforts us when we are in trouble

2Co 1:3  Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort.
2Co 1:4  He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble.





In times of trouble, God is with us

2Co 4:7  We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us.
2Co 4:8  We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up.
2Co 4:9  In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again.
2Co 4:10  We face death every day because of Jesus. Our bodies show what his death was like, so that his life can also be seen in us.




My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble

Jas 1:2  My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble.
Jas 1:3  You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested.
Jas 1:4  But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.





Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death?

Rom 8:35  Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death?
Rom 8:36  It is exactly as the Scriptures say, "For you we face death all day long. We are like sheep on their way to be butchered."
Rom 8:37  In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us.
Rom 8:38  I am sure that nothing can separate us from God's love--not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future,
Rom 8:39  and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!



I will reward you with a glorious life

Rev 2:10  Don't worry about what you will suffer. The devil will throw some of you into jail, and you will be tested and made to suffer for ten days. But if you are faithful until you die, I will reward you with a glorious life.