Holy Bible Online 
The Bible tells us about great men and women who faced moments of deep sadness and depression, yet overcame them through faith. Some of them are Elijah, Jeremiah, Jesus, Jonah, Paul, Job, and Naomi.
Elijah wished for death, but God restored him. Jeremiah wept bitterly, but found comfort in hope in God. Naomi suffered great loss, but saw renewal through Ruth. Jonah ran away and isolated himself, but was rescued. Paul endured prisons and hardships, yet kept his faith firm. Even Jesus, in Gethsemane, experienced deep anguish but overcame it, becoming our greatest example of endurance and victory.
1. The Prophet Elijah
Elijah was a man of great faith and courage. When he prayed, miracles happened! But after a great victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah lost his strength. He fell into depression after a fierce confrontation with King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, who sought to kill him for preaching God’s truth. After defeating the prophets of Baal, Elijah felt alone and discouraged even wishing for death.
During his depression, Elijah had a special encounter with God. The Lord restored him and gave him strength to continue.
God also wants to speak to you in your moments of depression. You are not alone Jesus is with you! Just as it happened with Elijah, you too can rise again and find victory.
The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
- 1 Kings 19:11a
Learn more about the story of the prophet Elijah.
2. Jeremiah
Jeremiah suffered greatly during his ministry. He witnessed terrible tragedies and was persecuted for speaking the truth of God. At one point, Jeremiah felt so sorrowful that he even wished he had never been born.
Jeremiah fell into depression because he had to deal with the pain of rejection and loneliness many people ignored his warnings. Yet despite his deep sadness, he continued to pray and seek the presence of God, remembering that faith brings comfort and renews hope.
Even when problems seem endless, you have the promise of salvation. Hope in God gives you strength to keep going.
Sing to the Lord!
Give praise to the Lord!
He rescues the life of the needy
from the hands of the wicked.
- Jeremiah 20:13
Learn more about the story of the Prophet Jeremiah.
3. Jesus
Jesus went through a very difficult and sorrowful moment in the Garden of Gethsemane, the night before He was crucified. He felt the weight of what was about to come and the fear of being separated from God, which led Him to pray so intensely that His sweat became like drops of blood.
Despite all that pain, Jesus accepted the will of the Father, saying: “Not my will, but yours be done.” That act of trusting in God is a great example for us. Jesus showed us that even in times of sadness, we can find new strength through prayer and surrender to God, overcoming pain with faith and hope.
Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.
- Luke 22:42
This verse reveals Jesus’ inner struggle, His anguish, and at the same time His submission to God’s will, showing how He found strength and purpose amid suffering.
Learn more about the story of Jesus Christ.
4. Jonah
Interestingly, Jonah fell into depression after obeying God’s command and preaching in Nineveh, when he saw that the city repented and was forgiven. He felt frustrated and disappointed, even wishing to die. For Jonah, it seemed better to die than to see God’s mercy extended to those he considered enemies.
However, God taught him about compassion through the plant that provided him shade and then withered. Jonah learned that God cares for everyone, even those who are far away, even when we don’t fully understand the depth of His love.
But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight.
- Jonah 4:10
Jonah’s life shows us that even in moments of discouragement, we can reflect on our feelings and seek to understand God’s will. He is an example that God’s mercy is available to all, and we must remain open to it.
Learn more about the story of Jonah.
5. The Apostle Paul
The apostle Paul experienced moments of depression during his ministry, especially when facing imprisonment and persecution. In 2 Corinthians 1:8, he expressed that he was so burdened and despaired of life itself. Constant hardships and threats made him feel alone and abandoned.
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.
- 2 Corinthians 1:8
However, Paul found strength in his faith in Christ Jesus. He remembered God’s promises and the importance of trusting Him even in the darkest hours. He also learned to value the fellowship and encouragement of other believers who strengthened him along the way.
Paul’s perseverance teaches us that even in times of discouragement, we can find comfort in God and in the community of faith. He shows us that faith and mutual support are essential to face depression and move forward.
Learn more about the life of Paul.
6. Job
Job fell into depression after losing everything, his children, his health, and his wealth. He endured immense pain and felt utterly desolate, even wishing he had never been born.
Why did I not perish at birth,
and die as I came from the womb?
- Job 3:11
Even in all his suffering, Job never abandoned his faith in God. Yes, he expressed his anguish, but he also cried out for answers, seeking to understand what was happening.
Job’s recovery came through his persistence in maintaining faith, even when everything seemed lost. God restored his life, giving him even more than he had before. Job stands as an example to us, showing that even in the hardest situations, faith and perseverance can help us find hope and renewal.
The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys.
- Job 42:12
This verse highlights how God restored Job’s life, bringing blessings and renewal after his time of suffering and anguish.
Read more about Job.
7. Naomi
Naomi fell into depression after losing her husband and her sons. With that tragedy, she lost the joy of living and tried to isolate herself from the little family she had left, feeling abandoned by God.
But God did not abandon Naomi. Through her daughter-in-law Ruth, God restored her joy. Ruth’s loyal friendship transformed Naomi’s life. In depression, you should not isolate yourself, God places family and friends in your path to help you. A friend (or brother or sister in Christ) can be an instrument of God for your restoration.
But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.
- Ruth 1:16
All these people overcame depression, anguish, and discouragement through the power of God. Just like Jesus, Elijah, Jeremiah, Naomi, Jonah, Paul, and Job, you too can make it through your storm and reach a place of peace and hope.
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