Despair is a feeling of complete hopelessness or lack of hope. In moments of despair, we may feel depressed, anxious, and unable to see any light at the end of the tunnel. Thankfully, the Bible offers us many verses that can encourage and uplift us when experiencing despair. Here are some key Bible verses about overcoming and finding hope in times of despair:
Psalms 34:17-18
“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” This verse reminds us that God hears our cries in despair and promises to deliver us. Even when we feel crushed in spirit, the Lord draws near to the brokenhearted.
Psalms 40:1-3
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.” When we wait on the Lord, he lifts us up out of despair and secures us firmly upon him.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” Though we face affliction and suffering, we have assurance that God will never allow us to be fully crushed or driven to ultimate despair.
Romans 8:38-39
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Absolutely nothing, including our darkest moments of despair, can separate us from God’s love.
Psalms 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Our tender and loving God draws close to us in despair to heal our broken hearts.
John 16:33
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Though we face trouble and despair now, we can have peace knowing Christ has overcome the brokenness of this world.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” In despair, we can rejoice that God comforts us so that we can pass on that comfort to others.
Romans 5:1-5
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Our suffering drives us closer to God and as his love pours into our hearts, we gain hope that does not disappoint.
1 Peter 5:6-7
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” God invites us to cast all of our despair and anxiety onto him, humbly acknowledging his hand of might and care over our lives.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” This hopeful verse reminds us that despite our current despair, God promises to give us a hopeful future.
Psalms 126:5-6
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” We can have joy knowing our despair is temporary and will blossom into joyful purpose in Christ.
Isaiah 43:1b-3a
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Even in overwhelming despair, we do not have to fear because God has redeemed and claimed us. He remains with us through the darkest valleys.
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Though the world may give us despair, Jesus promises perfect peace to troubled hearts and calms our fears.
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” God reassures the fearful and dismayed that he is present, strengthening and upholding them.
Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. God’s unchanging love and endless compassion give us hope each new morning.
1 Peter 1:6-7
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Our despair over trials tests and refines our faith in God.
Psalms 73:26
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” When our hearts are in despair, God remains our eternal source of strength and comfort.
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” In beautiful invitation, Jesus calls the weary and burdened to find rest in him.
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Through God’s presence and command, he compels his followers to reject fear and despair.
Psalms 91:14-16
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” For those who know and love God, he promises to be near, answering them and staying with them in trouble.
Hebrews 13:5-6
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'” We need never despair over earthly concerns because God remains our helper and constant presence.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Though despair may cripple us, in weakness we find Christ’s strength and sufficient grace.
Deuteronomy 31:8
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” As the Lord goes before us, we have no reason to fear or lose hope.
Psalms 30:5
“For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” We are assured that despair lasts only a moment compared to God’s eternal joy and favor over us.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Instead of despairing, we can find peace through prayerfully giving thanks and handing our anxiety over to God.
Psalms 55:22
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” As we release our despair and burdens to the Lord, he sustains and steadies us.
Psalms 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Joy replacements despair when we fix our eyes on God’s presence and the eternal pleasures found in him.
1 Peter 5:10
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” Despite suffering that brings despair, God in his grace restores and strengthens us.
Psalms 145:14
“The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.” Part of God’s character is that he catches and lifts up those who have fallen into despair.
Isaiah 35:4
“Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.'” We can reject fear and despair because our mighty God comes to deliver and restore us.
Psalms 77:1-3
“I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints.” Even in unrelenting despair, we can take comfort knowing that God hears our cries.
Romans 8:18
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Our present afflictions producing despair cannot compare with the eternal glory God has prepared for us.
Psalms 31:7
“I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul.” Knowing God sees and understands our affliction gives joy and comfort despite distress.
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The cleansing forgiveness of God allows our despair over sin and shame to be washed away.
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Despite our mourning in despair, Jesus declares we are blessed and will ultimately be comforted by God.
In desperate times when we are overwhelmed with hopelessness, we can hold fast to the promises of God that he hears our cries, draws near to us, comforts and upholds us. Though despair may come, it will not last forever. God’s eternal comfort, peace, strength and joy overcomes even the darkest of valleys. If we place our hope in God rather take matters into our own hands, he will surely lift us up and bring us through the storm clouds of despair into the light of his presence.