10 Bible verses for when you are downcast

1.   Psalms 43:5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

We begin with the origin of the word 'downcast'. When you feel discouraged, speak to your soul as the psalmist does. Even when you can’t lift the reason for your woes, you can choose to hope in God. Knowing that through his hope, you will find a reason to persevere. Praise him in the pit, for even there he shall come and save you.

2.   Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

You are not alone. The powerful God of the universe walks with you. By his leading, you can move through this life. Never will you be alone. Even if you find yourself in a quiet room away from everyone, you have a helper there. The one who loves you is with you. Fear not the silence of solitude nor the personal grief

you bear. God is with you right there; lean on him.

3.   Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

As a father carries his child on his shoulders so that their foot might not strike a stone, so shall your heavenly father lift you up. Held by the strongest arms, you can walk through the valley. He will give you his strength. So do not be afraid, this very moment, he can hold you up. Do not depend on your might, for it will fail, but he is ever strong. Grab onto his arm, and he shall lift you up. 

4.   Isaiah 12:2 “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defence; he has become my salvation.”

‘Surely’ is the word. Certainly, you have a salvation, God Himself. He who carries this entire galaxy of worlds will defend you. What better army is there than the one who commands heaven's angels? Whom shall you fear now? Not the terror of night nor the arrow that flies by day will touch you, for he will command his angels concerning you. You shall fight every battle covered by the great defender.

5.   Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

‘Fear is not’ is not a suggestion; it is a command! Take courage, strengthen your weak knees, and follow him. Obey his voice with boldness. You charge on as one with marching orders from God. Fear not!

6.   Matthew 6:25-27 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Oh, tomorrow, how our minds love to live there. I think this is the primary reason we are downcast. Worries wear the soul down, and oh, how they come in droves. I often ask myself after 8 hours of overthinking: Are you done trying to see into the future, Mueni? You and I cannot see tomorrow: plan as we might, we do not control what the next day holds for us. So, why not trust the one who does? Take every worrying thought, commit it to God, and continue to obey him in this present moment. Living in anxiety robs you of the joy of the lord. You have a choice to worry or to go look at the birds and trust that God will provide everything you need.

7.   Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The will of God and the will of man have long been in contest since the time of Adam. We rage against the plans of God, yet they are for our ultimate good. Take a moment today and pray that God will reveal his will for you. God shall give you a hope and a future. Watch and wait with him as it unfolds.

8.   1 Corinthians 2:9 No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Faith is primarily an act of moving when we cannot see. When God told Abraham to leave his home country for the promised land, he did not know where he was going, yet he journeyed. Through wilderness and pastures we will pass, but we cannot begin to imagine the goodness that awaits us. We come to know these mysteries through the Spirit of God living inside us. This world isn’t all there is. There is an eternity in store for those who love him. There is more; the best is yet to come.

9.   Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

We have a choice to make when we are downcast. To trust and obey God or to follow our will. Choose the only way that leads to life and know that God will guide you always.

10.  Psalms 136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good ; His love endures forever.

Write down everything you are grateful to God for today. Remember every promise he has kept, every prayer answered, and every fear stilled. Open the bible; read of David, of Mary, and countless others who saw the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. You have a legacy of fellow believers to draw faith from. Do not tire of giving praise to God, for what he promises he will do. He is still the same faithful God. Like a spring of living water that never runs dry, so is his faithful love towards us. Take heart, oh my soul, you are forever loved.