When suffering under extreme circumstances, it is easy to feel like you are facing an impossible situation. However, it’s never more difficult than when you are going through a mental breakdown. In this article, we’re looking at 27 Helpful Bible verses for mental breakdowns.
Who in the Bible had a mental breakdown?
The Bible is full of examples of people who struggled with mental illness. Sometimes they were healed; sometimes, they weren’t. Here’s a list of some of the more prominent Biblical figures who had mental breakdowns:
King Saul
This is one of the most famous breakdowns in the Bible. Saul was anointed king by Samuel and immediately began to fall apart:
Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which he commanded you; for now, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.” But Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. Now, therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me that I may bow before the Lord.” (1 Samuel 15:11-13)
Saul was so distraught that he tried to kill himself by falling on his sword. God stopped him from dying but refused to heal him from his mental illness (1 Samuel 31:4). Eventually, Saul was killed in battle against the Philistines at Mount Gilboa.
Bible verses for mental breakdowns
Today, I will show you 27 Bible verses that can help you with a mental breakdown. The following Bible verses can help you recover from any depression or mental breakdown you may have.
Philippians 4:6-7 – Communicate your needs to God.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
We are to communicate our needs to God, surrender all our worries to Him, and then leave them there because as our anxiety is reduced, so does our faith.
We are advised to cast all our anxieties onto Him because He cares for us, but we are to do so with a grateful heart and a worshipful spirit. Instead of worrying about yourself, pray in a way that honors God and is dependent on Him.
1 Peter 5:7 – God cares for us.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
~ 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Just as Paul instructed us to Cast burdens to the Lord, Peter also advises us to do as.
To cast our worries to Him, it all comes down to believing everything the Lord has said in His priceless Word and having faith that He will keep His Word. We should expect Him to grant our requests, but He will do it at His own pace and in His way, ultimately for our benefit and greater glory.
2 Timothy 1:7 – The Holy Spirit resides in us.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
~ 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
Timothy, like all of us, needed to be reminded that, despite how challenging or dangerous life in this world may become, we all have the Holy Spirit of God permanently residing within us, providing us with everything we need for life and godliness.
Jesus Himself forewarned us that we would experience hardships and challenges in this world, but He also reminded us to remember that He has overcome the world because He who is in us is bigger than the one who is in the world.
John 14:27 – Surrender to His direction and imitate His example.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
~ John 14:27 (NIV)
We can have priceless communion with the Father when we walk in Spirit and truth because we are in eternal oneness with our Savior and can experience the exquisite peace of Christ’s perfect peace.
When we surrender to His direction and imitate His example, we experience the peace that transcends our comprehension, even during days of extreme suffering and trying circumstances.
Romans 8:28 – Jesus reaffirmed that we would experience suffering in this groaning, sinful world.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
We encounter challenges and hazards, as well as be required to go through tragedies, letdowns, persecutions, and even death. The Lord Jesus Himself reaffirmed that we would experience suffering in this groaning, sinful world.
But we also have His unwavering assurance that the blood of Christ has resolved every issue according to the will of God.
Philippians 4:8 – Christ has provided everything we require for life.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.
~ Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Saying that I cannot control my thoughts is unsatisfactory because Christ has provided everything we require for life and godliness. Moreover, he has promised to do so following His glorious riches.
Our first response should be to look to Jesus and recall who we are in Christ whenever worrisome thoughts or temptations to sin begin to overwhelm us.
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.
~ Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Matthew 6:34 – He calls us to trust in him.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
The Lord who provides for the birds in the air, he clothes the plants and trees in the fields and woods. He calls us to trust in him and live in the present without worrying about our problems. He calls us to remember that he is our Father and that he is a father who always takes care of his children.
Philippians 4:13 – Christ is our covering.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
~ Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
Israel received these words of consolation and inspiration from the prophet Isaiah. Since Christ is our covering, His grace is always adequate to meet all of our needs. Christ is our ever-present support in times of need. Because His Word is reliable and accurate, we should heed it and put our faith in what it says.
Jonah 2:5-7 – Prayer.
The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. 6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD my God. 7 “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.
~ Jonah 2:5-7 (NIV)
Father in heaven, please protect me from worrying thoughts. Help me to keep my thoughts confined to all that is admirable and righteous and aid in keeping my heart’s gaze fixed on Jesus. May I consciously choose to focus on praiseworthy things since I am aware that the light of Christ and the darkness of all that is evil cannot coexist? In Jesus’ name, I humbly pray for this.
Bible verses for mental stress
Stress can sneak into our lives and put us on edge. While we all handle stress differently, it can be hard to tell when stress becomes unhealthy. The following Bible verses for mental stress can help you combat the everyday stresses we face as Christians.
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
~ 1 John 4:18 (KJV)
The fruit of God’s Spirit is love, which does not produce fear. On the contrary, it is a total and unwavering assurance in our heavenly Father and His faithful Word.
Because God’s perfect love dispels all fear, there is no fear in love. Each facet of Christ’s atoning work was intended to free us from all appearance of fear and all that might make us dread.
Remember Love is capable of enduring anything, believing anything, and hoping for anything. However, the greatest gift of all is perfect love, which dispels fear, perfects the saint, and is a responsible, giving, and gracious love.
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
~ Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV)
We should examine our hearts to see if we are in the faith, to see if we are walking in Spirit and truth, to see if we are trusting in anything other than the Lord Jesus, and we should ask Him to search our hearts.. to see if there is any wicked way in us that needs to be cleansed and rooted out. Knowing that the heart is more deceitful than anything else and desperately wicked.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the Spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
~ 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
All of us require strength in our lives, but real strength comes from relying on Christ, Who has promised that His grace is sufficient for all the challenges and perils of life we may have to face. For His strength is made perfect in our weakness – when we are weak in our own abilities, we become strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might.
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
~ Psalm 34:18 (KJV)
These passages are interwoven with a thread of hope and adoration as David proclaims the love and grace of God for people who call on His name and are lowly in Spirit.
All of God’s people can and will experience closeness from Him as they face life’s many challenges and perils. He won’t extinguish burning flax or break a battered reed. But, he is always with grieving individuals and is their Savior when their spirits are low.
He came in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ to heal the hurting and to provide redemption for all who put their faith in Him.
Deuteronomy 31:8
And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
~ Deuteronomy 31:8 (KJV)
God’s Word is trustworthy. Even when we fail Him, He has vowed to go before us, guide us, and prepare us for the road we go.
He has vowed to accompany us on our journey through life and stick by us no matter what happens, even when we are disobedient. God has vowed never to abandon and take us with Him into eternity one day. Therefore, it is wise to rely on God’s Word.
1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
~ 1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
We are instructed to give all of our worries and disappointments to the Lord, who has promised to carry them because of His loving kindness and sensitive mercy toward us. It is said that strength will be freely supplied when we acknowledge our limitations and inabilities.
All that is required of us is to acknowledge our shortcomings with humility of heart and accept His generous invitation to place all of our worries on Him, knowing that He loves us and is more than capable of providing for our needs.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
~ Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
The Holy Spirit manifests and perfects the lovely fruit of the Spirit, and each of its facets is a jewel that enhances a believer’s life.
God’s love pours out a fountain of graces, each of which is endearing in its own right but which combines to form a harmonious whole that perfectly demonstrates our God’s gracious goodness.
Mark 2:17
When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
~ Mark 2:17 (KJV)
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
~ John 14:27 (KJV)
For all who put their faith in Christ to experience both the marvelous peace of God and the incredible peace of God, He left behind a remarkable legacy of His inner peace—His wonderful gospel of peace to be shed abroad to a world in the clamor, a world of strife, a world of broken lives and deep pain. Humanity yearns for perfect peace, priceless peace, and God’s glorious peace, but without Christ, there can be no peace on earth.
May the God of peace be with you as you rest and remain and abide in Christ’s peace – His incredible, wonderful peace.
Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
~ Psalm 73:26 (KJV)
Let’s get close to God, grasping His eternal perspective and putting our complete faith in His unchanging love. We must resist doubting God’s goodness because of the circumstances in our lives and the seeming success of the ungodly.
Instead, let’s praise the great deeds of Him, Who has saved us by grace through faith in Christ, embraced us into His own family, and clothed us in the regal robe of righteousness of Christ.
Bible verses for those struggling with mental illness
When you are struggling with mental illness it can feel like you are alone and have nobody to turn to. Below, I will share my favorite Bible verses for those struggling with mental illness, so you can start feeling the love from the Lord.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the Spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
~ 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
Timothy was urged to rekindle the dying spark of his wavering faith because, despite having been saved by grace through trust in Christ, he still felt intimidated by the hostile environment we all find ourselves in.
However, like him, we must remember WHO we are in Christ and that we were not given a spirit of timidity and trembling but one of power, love, good judgment, and a controlled mind.
Matthew 4:24
And his fame went throughout all Syria: they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatics, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
~ Matthew 4:24 (KJV)
In this passage, Jesus had gone around Syria to heal people; even those with mental illnesses were healed. So all you have to do is keep your trust in the Lord firm, and you’ll be healed by faith.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
~ Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)
God wants every one of us to have faith in His priceless promises, and He warns us that if we don’t believe what He says, we won’t be able to please Him. But the Lord is kind to us because He knows our fleeting nature as dust.
Since the Lord is kind and long-suffering and is aware of the numerous negative aspects of our lives that can cause doubt and discouragement, He frequently adds a lovely postscript to His encouraging verses that highlight and emphasizes His immense goodness and loving-kindness.
Acts 20:35
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
~ Acts 20:35 (KJV)
In this passage, Paul acknowledges that we labor physically, spiritually, and mentally but encourages us to keep on and always remember the words of Jesus Christ.
John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
~ John 16:33 (KJV)
But have courage! Simple words from our loving Savior, “I have overcome the world,” yet the grace and grandeur that flow from those words of profound consolation will be heard for eternity.
Take to heart these words from Christ Jesus, no matter how bleak your life situation and difficulties may be. “But take heart! I have won over the entire globe.
2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
~ 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)
What an excellent illustration of God’s grace and the strength of Christ, made perfect in our frailties. We have God’s full assurance that His grace is sufficient for any eventualities that may come our way, regardless of what you and I are facing or the tests and trials we may be obliged to endure.
