When the Darkness Lingers — A Biblical Look at Depression
- Dr. Michael Stallings
- Dec 12, 2025
- 2 min read
Depression doesn’t always come suddenly. Sometimes it creeps in quietly and stays longer than you expected. It weighs the soul with heaviness and fog that no amount of effort seems to lift. In these moments, we may feel alone, even in our faith. But God does not pull away from the downcast—He draws near.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”(Psalm 34:18)
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Put your hope in God.”(Psalm 42:11)
Even spiritual giants wrestled with despair. David’s laments, Job’s anguish, and Elijah’s collapse in the wilderness show us that grief and emotional pain are not marks of weak faith. They are part of the human experience—even for the faithful. When Elijah begged God to take his life, the Lord didn’t scold him. Instead, He sent rest, food, and gentle encouragement. That is how God responds to us too: not with condemnation, but with compassion.
Depression does not disqualify you from God’s love or His calling. In fact, your struggle may become the very place where His healing power is made visible. The valley you walk through today may one day become the testimony that helps someone else find their way out of the dark. God often redeems pain by turning it into purpose.
When the darkness lingers, remember—faith is not the absence of feeling down. Faith is holding on to what you know when your emotions refuse to follow. It is choosing to believe that even when your heart can’t sense Him, God is still near, still faithful, still working. His presence is not proven by your mood but by His Word, and His Word declares that He will never leave you nor forsake you.
God is not absent in your sorrow. He’s not disappointed by your sadness. Even when joy feels out of reach, His presence remains. Depression doesn’t define your worth or your faith—it simply reminds you that you’re human. And being human means needing the hope and healing that only Christ can provide.
Prayer: A Prayer for the Downcast Lord,When my soul is heavy, help me to trust You. Even when I can’t feel You, remind me that You are near. Speak hope into my heart, breathe peace into my mind, and steady my spirit with Your promises. Be the light that pierces through the fog and the strength that carries me when I cannot move on my own. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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