When you’re struggling, it can be hard to find a book of the Bible that speaks to your heart. Sure, there are plenty of verses that seem applicable—but if you’re truly struggling, sometimes it’s hard to know which verses are poignant and which ones are just plain depressing.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of books from the Bible for when you’re struggling:
- Job (the whole book)
- Psalms (the entire book)
- Proverbs (just about any chapter but especially chapter 1)
When you’re struggling, it can feel like the world is against you. And if you’re not careful, it can start to seem like God is, too.
But that’s not true. God loves us and wants what’s best for us—even when we don’t know what that is. That’s why He sent His Son to die on the cross so that we could be forgiven and set free from sin. The Bible is full of stories of people who were struggling just like you but found hope and healing through Jesus Christ.
Book of The Bible To Read When Struggling
You might be thinking, But I’m not religious! I don’t go to church, read my Bible or anything! You don’t have to do any of those things in order to have a relationship with God; He created us all with free will, so He doesn’t force His love upon us.
The good news is that there are thousands of people just like you who have struggled with mental illness and have found hope and healing through Jesus Christ. Not only can these people help guide you through your own struggles with mental illness, but they can also help you find peace that comes from knowing that God loves you and has a plan for your life.
Right here on Churchgists, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on books of the bible to read when struggling with anxiety, best book of the bible to read during hard times, books of the bible to read when struggling with sin, and so much more. Take out time to visit our Website for more information on similar topics.
Other Books of The Bible To Read When Struggling
1. Psalms
The Book of Psalms is a powerful tool for finding comfort and strength during times of struggle. The psalms are filled with expressions of praise, lament, and hope, which resonate with the full range of human emotions. Here are a few verses to turn to when you are feeling overwhelmed:
- Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
- Psalm 34:17-18 – “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
- Psalm 55:22 – “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
2. Isaiah
The Book of Isaiah contains messages of hope and redemption during times of adversity. It is a prophetic book that speaks to the promises of God and His faithfulness to His people. Here are some verses from Isaiah to meditate on during difficult times:
- Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
- 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 43:2 – “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Reading and reflecting on these verses can bring peace and reassurance in the midst of struggle. They remind us that God is always near, ready to help us through any trial we may face. So, when you find yourself in a season of difficulty, turn to these books of the Bible for comfort and strength.
Books of The Bible To Read When Struggling With Depression
Psalms
The book of Psalms is a great place to go for comfort and help in any time of need. It’s written in a way that can resonate with anybody, no matter what your faith or struggle is. If you’re struggling with your faith, there are plenty of verses that talk about struggling with God while also believing that He will work everything out.
There are 150 chapters (more like poems or songs) in the book of Psalms and they were likely written by multiple authors over hundreds of years. I recommend reading the entire book before picking a chapter (or two) to focus on when you feel down or anxious.
The book starts off talking about how amazing our creator is, it then moves into the psalmist acknowledging his sinfulness and asking for forgiveness; it moves into verses that demonstrate trust in God during hard times, then it talks about God’s laws and commands, followed by chapters expressing love and devotion for God, then there are some chapters that talk about being angry at people who aren’t walking in obedience to God’s word, then gratitude for God’s sovereignty and power ends the book.
Isaiah
If you’re struggling, read Isaiah.
Some of the most comforting words in all the Scriptures are found in this book: “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” (41:10).
In Isaiah, we see God as the creator (40:12–31). He is our redeemer (43:1–7). He is our king (44:6) and counselor (9:6). He speaks tenderly to us about his promises for the future (49), and he tells us how to live humbly before him today.
Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes is a book of the Bible and a good one to read when you’re struggling. It’s about the meaning of life and how to live it.
In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon tells us:
- “Everything is meaningless.”
- “Don’t be afraid of anything.”
- “Eat your food with gladness and drink your wine with a joyful heart.”
These are all important things to remember in difficult times.
Best Book of The Bible To Read During Hard Times
Some books of the bible can be read during hard times.
A few books of the Bible are specifically written to be read during hard times. The Psalms and Isaiah are two examples. Ecclesiastes is another, and it’s full of wisdom about how fleeting life is, so be sure to spend that time wisely.
If you’re struggling at this moment in your life, pick a book from the Bible and read through it. In some cases it may only take an hour or two. If you’re going through a trial right now, it can help you get centered and focused when everything else seems shaky.
The Bible is divided into different sections for a reason: each section has its own purpose and message. Each book tells us something about God’s character or His plan for our lives, so try to find what those messages are as you read the books
Books of The Bible To Read When Struggling With Anxiety
1. Psalm 131
My heart is not proud, Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.
3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord
both now and forevermore.
I stumbled upon this psalm when I was a stressed-out teenager, and I’ve been reading it ever since! “I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me”…how I love that. Sometimes I find myself worrying over things that are God’s concern, not mine. That person who needs to change? Not my job—God’s job. That scary situation in the world that needs fixing? Not my job—God’s job. I can bring the problem before God, then leave it where it belongs—in His capable hands.
“I am like a weaned child with its mother…I am content.” My five-year-old still believes I can do anything and I know everything. (Please, no one tell her differently for a few years!) When I step on the scene, all her problems are about to be fixed. Her little world is safe and secure. That’s how we should feel with God—and the best thing is, He can do anything, and He does know everything!
2. Psalm 37:1–11
Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy peace and prosperity.
Please, oh, please meditate on the whole psalm, but for the sake of space, I’m just including the first 11 verses. I read this psalm whenever I’m angry or obsessing over something that’s out of my control—conflict with a coworker or friend? Is your reputation at risk from gossip or unfairness? Something bad is happening in your kid’s life and you can’t fully protect them from it. This is your psalm. It’s a sanity- and righteousness-saver, reminding us that God loves justice even more than we do, and in His time, in His way, He will find a way to set things right. but in the meantime, our anger and anxiety accomplish nothing.
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3. Psalm 25:1–17 (emphasis added)
In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.
2 I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.
4 Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good….
14 The Lord confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever on the Lord,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart
and free me from my anguish.
Again, please look up the whole Psalm. But how comforting is this? Our hope must be in God—in God, not in circumstances. Not in people. Not in our own abilities. And when should it be in Him? All. Day. Long. And aren’t these the very words you long to say to God? “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.” And we all say, “Amen.”
4. Matthew 10:28–31
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
We fear the wrong things (and people), don’t we? We worry over temporary, earth-bound problems, but Jesus always encourages us to remember what really matters: pleasing God and making it to heaven. And then He encourages us: We are valuable to God, noticed by God, known by God.
5. 1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
It doesn’t get any simpler—or more encouraging—than this, does it? He cares for you. He wants to carry your worries. Repeat those words 1,000 times—or as many times as it takes until you believe them!
6. Psalm 27:1–5, 13–14 (emphasis added)
The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock….
13I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
Be strong. Take heart. The Lord is our stronghold—who then shall we fear? We can have every confidence that we will see the goodness of God—and not just in heaven—now. Here. On earth. We need only wait for Him.
7. Luke 10:38–42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
“You are worried and upset about many things.” Um, yep. Guilty. Jesus’ kind words to Martha—can’t you hear the friendly affection in the way He says, “Martha, Martha”?—are a powerful reminder that sometimes, like Martha, we are stressed out because we are focused on the wrong things. The here and now, the mundane details of daily life, the way our behavior and performance might be perceived by others…but our walk with God deserves our first and best attention.
8. Philippians 4:6–7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.
You knew this one was coming, didn’t you? How often have I prayed these words, claiming them as a promise: “Lord, I give my worries to You. Please give me your powerful peace. Please guard my heart and protect my mind from worry and fear.”
I pray these verses help to give you the peace you need and the faith you seek as you battle anxiety!