Watching your spouse battle depression feels like helplessly standing on the shore while they drown in an invisible ocean. The person you married seems trapped behind a wall of sadness, exhaustion, and hopelessness that your love alone can’t penetrate. Simple conversations become laborious, activities they once enjoyed hold no appeal, and you find yourself walking on eggshells, unsure whether your words will help or accidentally make things worse.
Depression doesn’t just affect the person experiencing it; it impacts the entire marriage. You might feel rejected when they withdraw, frustrated when your encouragement seems to bounce off them, or guilty for having good days when they’re struggling. The weight of being both spouse and caregiver can leave you emotionally depleted, especially when well-meaning friends suggest that prayer or positive thinking should be enough to fix everything.
If your spouse is walking through the darkness of depression, you’re navigating one of marriage’s most challenging seasons. Scripture offers profound wisdom for loving someone through mental illness, showing us how to provide support while maintaining hope, set healthy boundaries while demonstrating unconditional love, and trust God’s healing process even when progress feels impossibly slow.
Bible Verses About Supporting a Spouse Through Depression
1. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – Two Are Better Than One
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
New International Version (NIV)
2. Galatians 6:2 – Carry Each Other’s Burdens
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore Encourage One Another
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
New King James Version (NKJV)
4. Isaiah 41:10 – So Do Not Fear, for I Am with You
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
New Living Translation (NLT)
5. Romans 15:1 – We Who Are Strong Ought to Bear with the Failings
Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – The God of All Comfort
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 will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7. Psalm 34:18 – The Lord Is Close to the Brokenhearted
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
King James Version (KJV)
8. Romans 12:15 – Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice; Mourn with Those Who Mourn
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9. Isaiah 42:3 – A Bruised Reed He Will Not Break
He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he won’t disregard the small and insignificant, but he’ll steadily and firmly set things right.
The Message (MSG)
10. Philippians 2:3-4 – Do Nothing Out of Selfish Ambition
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11. Psalm 147:3 – He Heals the Brokenhearted
He heals the brokenhearted, and bandages their wounds.
New English Translation (NET)
12. 1 Peter 4:8 – Above All, Love Each Other Deeply
Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13. Proverbs 17:17 – A Friend Loves at All Times
Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
14. Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to Me, All You Who Are Weary
Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives.
Good News Translation (GNT)
15. Psalm 23:4 – Even Though I Walk Through the Darkest Valley
Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid, because you are with me. Your rod and your walking stick comfort me.
New Century Version (NCV)
16. Job 2:11 – When Job’s Three Friends Heard About All the Troubles
Now when Job’s three friends heard about all this adversity that had happened to him, they each traveled from their home—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They met together to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.
International Standard Version (ISV)
17. Proverbs 25:20 – Singing Songs to a Heavy Heart
Like one who takes off clothing on a cold day, or like vinegar on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Tree of Life Version (TLV)
18. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
Lexham English Bible (LEB)
19. James 1:19 – Be Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak
So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
World English Bible (WEB)
20. Psalm 30:5 – Weeping May Stay for the Night
For his anger is but for a moment; His favor is for a lifetime: Weeping may tarry for the night, But joy cometh in the morning.
American Standard Version (ASV)
21. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 – We Are Hard Pressed on Every Side
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
22. Psalm 42:11 – Why, My Soul, Are You Downcast?
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.
New American Bible (NAB)
23. Lamentations 3:22-23 – Because of the Lord’s Great Love
It is of the mercies of our Lord that we are not consumed: because his compassions fayle not. They are newe euery morning: great is thy faithfulnes.
Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB)
24. Hebrews 10:24-25 – And Let Us Consider How We May Spur One Another On
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another.
English Revised Version (ERV)
25. Psalm 139:11-12 – If I Say, Surely the Darkness Shall Cover Me
And I say, ‘Surely darkness bruiseth me, Then night is light to me. Also darkness hideth not from Thee, And night as day shineth, as is darkness so is light.
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
26. Isaiah 40:29-31 – He Gives Strength to the Weary
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon Jehovah shall renew their strength.
Darby Translation (DARBY)
27. Psalm 55:22 – Cast Your Cares on the Lord
Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
Weymouth New Testament (WNT)
28. Jeremiah 17:14 – Heal Me, Lord, and I Will Be Healed
Lord, heele thou me, and Y schal be heelid; make thou me saaf, and Y schal be saaf; for thou art myn heriyng.
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
29. Psalm 46:1 – God Is Our Refuge and Strength
God is our refuge and strength, euen a very present helpe in trouble.
Geneva Bible (GNV)
30. Matthew 5:4 – Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
Blessed are they that mourne: for they shalbe comforted.
Bishop’s Bible
31. John 14:27 – Peace I Leave with You
Peace I leave with you my peace I geve vnto you. Not as the worlde geveth geve I vnto you. Let not youre hertes be troubled nether feare.
Tyndale Bible
32. Psalm 103:2-5 – Praise the Lord, My Soul
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases; he ransoms my life from death and surrounds me with loving-kindness and tender mercies.
The Living Bible (TLB)
33. Isaiah 61:3 – To Bestow on Them a Crown of Beauty Instead of Ashes
I will give everyone who grieves in Zion a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of bliss instead of tears, and the mantle of joyous praise instead of the spirit of heaviness.
The Passion Translation (TPT)
34. Ephesians 4:29 – Do Not Let Any Unwholesome Talk Come Out of Your Mouths
Don’t let even one rotten word seep out of your mouths. Instead, offer only fresh words that build others up when they need it most. That way your good words will communicate grace to those who hear them.
The Voice Bible (VOICE)
35. Romans 8:28 – And We Know That in All Things God Works for the Good
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. He appointed them to be saved in keeping with his purpose.
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Supporting a Spouse Through Depression
Scripture recognizes that mental illness is a real battle requiring both spiritual and practical support. The Bible doesn’t minimize emotional suffering or suggest that faith should instantly cure depression. Instead, it shows us how to walk alongside someone in their darkness with patience, understanding, and unwavering love. What strikes me most is how Scripture emphasizes presence over solutions.
The Bible teaches us that supporting someone through depression isn’t about fixing them or cheerleading them out of their struggle. It’s about bearing their burden, mourning with them when they mourn, and providing consistent love even when they can’t reciprocate emotionally. Scripture shows us that healing often happens slowly and that our role is to be faithful companions on the journey, not miracle workers.
What gives me hope is how the Bible portrays God’s gentle approach to broken people. He doesn’t break bruised reeds or snuff out smoldering wicks, but tenderly nurtures them back to wholeness. This models how we should support our spouses through depression: with gentleness, patience, and faith that healing is possible even when progress feels invisible. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply stay present and refuse to let them walk through the valley alone.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, watching my spouse struggle with depression is breaking my heart. Some days I feel helpless, not knowing how to encourage them or whether my efforts are making any difference. This darkness that has settled over them feels so heavy and persistent, and I’m afraid I’m not strong enough to carry both of us through this season.
Give me supernatural patience when they withdraw from me or can’t engage in conversations and activities we used to enjoy. Help me understand that their depression isn’t a reflection of our marriage or my worth as a spouse. When I feel rejected by their distance, remind me that they’re fighting a battle I can’t fully comprehend.
Show me practical ways to support them without trying to fix everything. Give me wisdom to know when to encourage and when to simply sit in silence, when to suggest help, and when to just be present. Help me to be a source of stability and hope when their world feels unstable and hopeless.
Most importantly, be their ultimate healer and comforter. Touch the broken places in their mind and heart that I can’t reach. Surround them with Your peace and slowly lift this heavy burden from their shoulders. Give us both strength for each day of this journey.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.