The more people I cajole into being honest with me, the more I discover the sheer number of those—yes, even Christians—struggling with depression is staggering.

My wife and I have been together for 34 years, married for 32 years, and she knows me better than anyone. She is fully aware of my war with depression, and the other day she expressed her feelings of helplessness.

“I love you so much, baby, I just don’t know how to help you. It kills me that I have to watch you go through this, feeling so helpless.”

I tried to reassure her that all she needs to do is LOVE ME, and be there for me, but it must be exhausting to watch someone go down a dark path, knowing you’re helpless to stop them.

I’ll admit, depression probably doesn’t make sense to people who’ve never struggled with it. They would look at my gorgeous wife, my beautiful/awesome/amazing kids and my uber-adorable grandkids and ask, “What ON EARTH do you have to be depressed about?”

What they don’t get is it’s not a matter of “a thing” depressing me. It’s not my age or my chronic pain or my weight or my job; those are just the things I complain about because I don’t really KNOW why I’m depressed. It’s like a dark cloud which surrounds me always.

Then there are the Band-Aid remedies many offer:

“Just think about the blessings, not the bad stuff!”

“Hey, look on the bright side!”

“Think about how much worse things could be!”

“At least you have a job, a family and a house, a lot of people don’t have that!”

And on and on…

But guess what?

These suggestions really don’t work. Thus, I’m trying a different approach.

ER, I should say, “I’m getting ready to try a different approach.” I haven’t actually started it yet, but am going to, as of today.

I’ve shared this with you—my friends—before, but in 2017 I got sick of my chronic, physical pain, which had gotten so bad I literally felt I was losing my mind.

So I got proactive about the situation and looked up “Bible verses on healing.” I printed out two pages of scriptures, laminated them (well, it was a “poor man’s laminate,” using packing tape) and told God the following:

“Lord, I’m gonna read every one of these scriptures twice a day, even on days I don’t believe them, until You heal me.”

About two months later, in March 2017, I woke up one day and realized I felt about 50% better.

Not a full healing, mind you, but enough to regain a good portion of my sanity.

And here I am, two years later, in a life-and-death struggle with my age-old adversary, DEPRESSION.

Thus, as you might’ve guessed by now, I’ve decided to let God fight this battle for me. Instead of playing the victim, I’ve decided to attack my depression the same way I did my physical pain. Once I made up my mind to do this, I found MANY articles with Bible verses about depression, but have narrowed all those many verses down to my 15 favorites, which I’d like to share with you.

I dare you to take this challenge with me. Copy/paste or print these verses out, and read them twice a day, until the Earth shakes. Until the darkness subsides.

We can attack the demon of depression with the very Word of God.

Let’s see if we can make that foul spirit slither back into the dark recesses of Hell from whence he came.

Psalm 30:11 (NLT):
“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT):
“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Psalm 3:3 (ERV):
“But you, Lord, protect me. You bring me honor; you give me hope.”

Isaiah 40:31 (NLT):
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

John 10:10 (NLT):
(Jesus said), “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

Philippians 4:13 (NLT):
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Matthew 11:28 (NLT):
“Then Jesussaid, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT):
^“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

1 Peter 5:7 (TPT):
“Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you.”

Philippians 4:6-7 (VOICE):
^“Don’t be anxious about things; instead, pray. Pray about everything. He longs to hear your requests, so talk to God about your needs and be thankful for what has come. And know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus…”

Psalm 23:4 (TLB):
“Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.”

Psalm 9:9 (NLT):
“The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”

Revelation 21:4 (NLT):
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Psalm 34:18 (NLT):
^“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

Joshua 1:9 (NLT):
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

And here is my prayer for you: “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NLT)

Be it a matter of weeks, months or years, I’ve decided to FIGHT until depression is at last vanquished. I’ve made up my mind: this nefarious ghoul WILL NOT WIN THE BATTLE.

Never give up, never give in, never surrender!!!

Blessings.