Suffering, doubt and mental health
I'm a Christian and I'm depressed. Is something wrong with my faith?
Talk to someone now
If you're thinking about hurting yourself, you don't feel safe, or someone is hurting you, please talk to a real person now.
Not safe, or thinking about hurting yourself?Get help nowAll countries
New Zealand
Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828 865
If you're thinking about suicide, or worried about someone. 7am to midnight.
Australia
United Kingdom
Ireland
United States
Canada
Germany
Austria
Rat auf Draht 147
For children and young people, free and anonymous. Also if someone threatens to share your pictures. Any time.
Switzerland
Pro Juventute 147
For children and young people. Also WhatsApp and chat at 147.ch, and if someone threatens to share your pictures. Any time.
Somewhere else? Call your local emergency number, or find a free helpline for your country at findahelpline.com.
Short answer
No. Depression is an illness, not a spiritual failure. God is close to you in it, and you deserve real help from real people.
If you are having thoughts of ending your life, please talk to someone right now. You'll find helplines on this page.
Many faithful people in the Bible went through the dark. Elijah asked to die, and God let him sleep, fed him and spoke gently. David wrote psalms from the pit. Psalm 88 ends in darkness. The Bible has room for yours.
Depression is not just sadness, and not a lack of faith. It affects your body, sleep, energy and thinking, and it can be treated. A doctor, a counsellor and, where needed, medication are good gifts, not giving up on God.
Take small steps. Tell one person how you really are. Go outside once a day. Eat something. Pray, even if it's only: Lord, I'm here. Help. He hears that prayer.
My verses
While he himself traveled on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” And he looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. A second time the angel of the LORD returned and touched him, saying, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. And strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.
I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
O LORD, the God of my salvation, day and night I cry out before You. May my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.