[Affiliate links may be used in this post.]
I have always struggled with depression—well, I would probably call them depressive episodes.
Normally they strike in February or March—when there isn’t much daylight and winter is getting long. Most of the time these episodes last only a day or two, but other times—they last for weeks.
I know I’m not the only one who finds herself stuck inside the darkness of depression from time to time.
Sometimes life just sucks—it gets hard—and then harder yet.
You just start to feel like the light has gone out.
But as believers in Christ, we know that the darkness NEVER wins. The light never actually goes out—we just have to focus on the Light to see it.
Setting the Battle Lines
About a year ago, I realized I needed a plan for when depression started to creep in. To help me focus on the Light.
I turned to God’s Word—His promises.
I began to write out a single scripture in full each day and meditate and pray about what God was trying to teach me.
And you know what happened?
I started to believe—with my whole heart—in what I was reading.
The Battle Plan
Now I have a list of 30+ scriptures that I write out when I feel depressed or anxious. It seems like such a simple concept, but what it’s doing is handing the fight back to God and letting Him take over.
Writing out these scriptures reminds me that I can’t do anything in my own strength alone. The toughest part for me is admitting that it is depression because there is such a negative stigma attached to that word.
But what I have learned is that not everyone with depression is suicidal. I have never wanted to die, but I have wanted to hide under my covers for a couple of days. Ya know what I mean?
I don’t want to breeze past this part—some people who suffer from clinical depression do need to seek counseling (everyone should get counseling, anyway—in my opinion) and if you do feel suicidal—don’t keep that to yourself. Call someone or tell a friend.
These are the verses that pull me back into the sun–that remind me that the Joy does come in the morning.
Scripture Writing Plan: Overcoming Depression
Day 1: Romans 8:18
Day 2: Psalms 37:23-24
Day 3: John 16:33
Day 4: Nehemiah 4:20
Day 5: Psalms 42:5
Day 6: Hosea 6:1
Day 7: 2 Timothy 1:7
Day 8: Philippians 4:13
Day 9: Isaiah 41:10
Day 10: Philippians 1:29
Day 11: Psalms 56:3
Day 12: 1 John 4:18
Day 13: Luke 12:22-26
Day 14: Psalms 27:1
Day 15: 2 Corinthians 2:4
Day 16: Philippians 4:6-7
Day 17: Joshua 1:9
Day 18: Isaiah 35:4
Day 19: Psalms 55:22
Day 20: Mark 6:50
Day 21: 1 Peter 3:14
Day 22: Deuteronomy 31:6
Day 23: Zephaniah 3:17
Day 24: Deuteronomy 3:22
Day 25: Psalms 91:1-16
Day 26: Proverbs 31:25
Day 27: Matthew 6:27
Day 28: Psalms 94:19
Day 29: 1 Peter 5:7
Day 30: Joshua 24:15, 18
Day 31: Psalms 103:10
What do you do when depression strikes? What’s your battle plan?
Change Your Prayer Life TODAY–Join the 21 Day Prayer Journal Challenge!!
Erika Michelle says
August 23, 2016 at 10:32 pmAlly! I needed to read this tonight. I have been severely battling depression and I need to get back into the Light!
Thank you for your honesty and hope that we aren’t in this alone. I’m starting your plan tomorrow morning so that I can once again be in the sun.
So many hugs, kisses and blessings to you for writing this post!
? Erika Michelle
Ally says
August 24, 2016 at 9:04 amI have a feeling we aren’t alone 🙂
I hope your scripture writing blesses you as it has me! Praise God that He gave us all the answers we need!
Love you Friend
Diane says
February 6, 2018 at 9:04 pmNo you are not alone. I have battled depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember. At 56 I am disabled. Husband lost job. But after three years God sent him another one. I just list my mil a good friend. My daughter is very emotionally sick and has been for 20 plus years. But I won’t give up on God. And finding these sites have given me me a brand new Outlook. Thank you
Lyn says
August 24, 2016 at 9:22 amStuck on day four. There is no such passage, is it a typo that you can fix?
Ally says
August 24, 2016 at 10:15 amSorry about that! Fixed it! It’s actually Nehemiah 4:20 Not sure what happened there!
Enjoy the rest of the writing plan!
Mary says
September 14, 2016 at 6:33 amThank you so much for this! I’m in that season of depression and really needed this.
Jenn says
September 25, 2016 at 7:08 pmI think this is a nice gesture but I don’t think it there should be something here that says if needed people should seek medical treatment if needed.
Ally says
September 25, 2016 at 7:36 pmIf I’m understanding you correctly…you’re saying there SHOULD be something here that says to “seek medical attention if needed” If so, there is a link in the last paragraph to a hotline.
But maybe I should say something about seeking medical attention even if you aren’t suicidal.
I’ll consider that. Thanks for stopping by!
Ally
Kelsey says
September 25, 2016 at 11:00 pmI’m confused on the John 4:18 one but the other ones are exactly what I needed to hear ❤️
Ally says
September 26, 2016 at 12:11 pmOh my…yes–John 4:8 doesn’t make any sense! How confusing for you! I think I wrote 1 John 4:8 twice. I added another favorite “2 Corinthians 2:4”
Blessings my friend!!
Danni says
September 26, 2016 at 10:02 pmThere is no Neh 4:20.
Ally says
September 27, 2016 at 12:03 pm“Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”
Jennifer says
October 31, 2016 at 2:58 pmThank you for sharing your personal story & fight with depression. I look forward to reading these scriptures. I fight daily with chronic health problems causing some depression because I feel so bad. Your site has helped me. I look forward to seeing more. I hope to start a Christian blog of my own to help others going through chronic pain & disease.
Ally says
January 12, 2017 at 2:13 pmI can’t wait to see how God uses your story for His glory!
Thanks for stopping by!
Tawana Jones says
January 11, 2017 at 9:15 pmI think it’s beautiful how God is using you to sow seeds into other people’s life. Its such a blessing
Ally says
January 12, 2017 at 2:14 pmThanks so much for your sweet words!
Blessings!
Bev says
March 9, 2017 at 2:20 amhello, yes, some of us who have major depression do need to seek medical attention when it gets to the point of psychosis or suicide….that should ALWAYS be said….but, then, when you are so bad off you might not BE ABLE to ask or seek help…others have to help you. this was me….10 years ago I was in a very bad way, hearing voices from demons, and suicidal acts…..I actually took poison, more than once, and it didn’t work!!! God had another plan for me….I was in this state, vacillating back and forth, for about 10 years….again, that was 10 years ago when God intervened. He healed me, AMEN!
Ally says
March 9, 2017 at 9:31 amPraise God! I love to hear these stories of healing. God is able!!!
Elmien says
May 1, 2017 at 12:36 amThank you for these scriptures. God bless you for sharing it .????
Ally says
May 3, 2017 at 6:47 pmGlad you enjoyed them! God bless you as well 🙂
Aishah says
July 1, 2017 at 8:03 amThank you for posting… will definitely start this plan. Praying for you and focus during this time.
Karen says
August 11, 2017 at 7:45 amI suffer from severe depression. Not one of my family wants to help me or just talk about how im such a pain and my kids are cruel to me. My faith is strong but yet i still cry about how my kids treat me. My older son is verbally abusive. I need God’s help
Ally says
August 11, 2017 at 10:36 pmOh friend–my heart hurts for you. This situation sounds like the perfect place for the local church to step in and support you. I’m praying for you, sister–as well as for someone in your community to come along side you in your time of struggle. Psalm 18:39
karen says
August 11, 2017 at 11:12 pmGod bless you for even getting back to me. I appreciate your kindness and concern. You are a kind soul. If u may, would you please pray for me. Please keep in touch and if u have any ideas to overcome this please let me know. Thank you.
Joy says
May 15, 2018 at 12:00 pmI also suffer from depression and understand what you are going through. Just know that you are never alone. God wants us to lean on him in times of trouble. This can be difficult for someone who suffers as we do. When I am having a hard time praying for myself I count on friends and family to help me. This year has been very difficult for me. I lost my home, I am in the process of applying for disability for my health. I had several deaths of close friends and the hardest of them all was the death of my father. I am going through a divorce so I also and no longer in contact with my stepson and my husbands whole family. I needed to cut ties with them due to the drama and heartache. I was in a lot of toxic relationships. My pastor for the past 5 years is moving to a new church and his wife has been a major support to me. My life has taken this whirlwind change I have no idea why? I just know that at some point. I will know. He will reveal it to me in time why everything has changed and what he wants his will for my life to be.
Diane says
February 6, 2018 at 9:07 pmI am new here. But I hear what you are saying. I am just so thankful to have found this site. Don’t give up and let the devil win..
Brenda Daniel says
August 19, 2017 at 7:29 pmI APPRECIATE THE SCRIPTURES. I SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION AS WELL. SOMETIMES, SEVERE. I FOUND IT DOES HELP ME TO STUDY AND WRITE BIBLE SCRIPTURES. PLEASE CONTACT ME ANY TIME.
Melissa says
October 11, 2017 at 10:50 amGod bless you for this timely and important message! Depression is a growing problem in this age, and so is the stigma attached to it – despite the efforts to raise awareness. Many who have not experienced it don’t understand the bondage. Praise our God that He provides freedom from ALL bondage!
I completely agree that counseling and, if needed, medication are an important part of the equation, as well. A good Christian counselor will combine both. 😉
God’s blessings to you, and to your readers who I know are being blessed through you!
Diane says
February 6, 2018 at 9:11 pmDoes anyone know of more sites like this one. At 56 disabled nurse. Has a emotionally disabled daughter. Husband out of work for three years. I have a chronic illness and have been in and out of the hospital at least once a month. Sometimes every two weeks. But I just can’t give up on God.
Diane says
February 6, 2018 at 9:20 pmNo you are not alone. I have battled depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember. At 56 I am disabled. Husband lost job. But after three years God sent him another one. I just list my mil a good friend. My daughter is very emotionally sick and has been for 20 plus years. But I won’t give up on God. And finding these sites have given me me a brand new Outlook. Thank you