Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a real and challenging condition that many people face, but God’s Word offers comfort and healing. The Bible provides hope, reminding us that we are not alone and that God is with us even in our darkest moments. Here are Bible verses that speak to healing, peace, and strength for those facing PTSD.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Behavior
God’s Peace in Troubled Times
When we are overwhelmed by anxiety and fear, God’s peace is available to calm our hearts. The Bible offers reminders that God’s presence can bring serenity even in the midst of emotional storms. Through these scriptures, we can find peace that surpasses understanding.
Philippians 4:7
“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
John 14:27
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
Psalm 29:11
“The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.”
Healing for the Wounded Heart
PTSD often leaves emotional wounds that feel deep and painful, but God is a healer. His Word promises to bind up the brokenhearted and bring healing to those who are hurting. These Bible verses offer encouragement that God is always near, ready to heal our hearts.
Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”
Jeremiah 30:17
“I will give you back your health and heal your wounds,” says the Lord.”
Exodus 15:26
“He said, ‘If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.'”
Psalm 103:3
“He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.”
Malachi 4:2
“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”
Finding Strength in the Lord
In times of weakness, God provides strength. PTSD can drain us emotionally and physically, but God is our source of power and endurance. These scriptures offer reassurance that through faith in God, we can find the strength to keep going.
Isaiah 40:31
“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.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
“Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”
Philippians 4:13
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10
“Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
Overcoming Fear and Anxiety
Fear and anxiety are common struggles for those experiencing PTSD. God’s Word provides comfort and strength to combat fear and remind us that He is in control. These verses encourage us to trust in God’s protective presence when fear seems overwhelming.
Isaiah 41:10
“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.”
Psalm 34:4
“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.”
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
Joshua 1:9
“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.”
1 Peter 5:7
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
God’s Presence in Our Pain
PTSD can feel isolating, but we are never alone. God promises to be with us in our pain, offering His presence as a source of comfort and strength. These verses remind us that God is near to the brokenhearted and close to those who call on Him.
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Matthew 11:28
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.'”
Isaiah 43:2
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”
Psalm 23:4
“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”
God’s Comfort in Grief
For those dealing with PTSD, grief over past events can weigh heavily on their hearts. The Bible offers promises of God’s comfort for those who mourn. These verses remind us that God sees our pain and offers His comfort to heal our broken spirits.
Matthew 5:4
“God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.”
Psalm 30:5
“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
Psalm 94:19
“When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”
Isaiah 51:12
“I, yes I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear?”
Restoration and Renewal
PTSD can leave us feeling broken and drained, but God promises restoration and renewal. He offers to make us whole again, giving us new strength and life through His grace. These Bible verses encourage us to trust in God’s power to renew and restore us, even after the hardest of times.
Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.”
Isaiah 40:29
“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.”
Joel 2:25
“The Lord says, ‘I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts.'”
2 Corinthians 5:17
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Romans 12:2
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Trauma
What Does the Bible Say About PTSD
The Bible does not directly mention Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but it speaks a lot about fear, pain, and healing. Many people in the Bible went through deep suffering and emotional struggles, which can help us understand how God cares for those who experience trauma. PTSD often happens when someone faces a terrifying event and finds it hard to move on, feeling afraid, sad, or troubled for a long time. The Bible shows that God understands these kinds of feelings and offers His peace and comfort.
King David, for example, went through times of great fear and sorrow. In Psalm 34:4, he says, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” This verse reminds us that we can take our fears to God and trust Him to help us, even when it feels impossible to find peace on our own. David also writes in Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” These words give hope to anyone going through dark moments, knowing that God is with them.
Another example is the prophet Elijah. After facing a dangerous situation with Queen Jezebel, Elijah felt afraid and hopeless, wanting to die (1 Kings 19:4). But God did not leave Elijah in his suffering. Instead, He sent an angel to care for him, gave him rest, and gently reminded Elijah that He was still with him. This story shows that God does not expect us to be strong all the time—He meets us in our weakness and helps us find strength again.
Jesus Himself experienced great distress. Before His crucifixion, He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, feeling overwhelmed with sorrow (Matthew 26:38). Jesus understands what it feels like to be in deep emotional pain, which makes Him the perfect person to turn to when we are hurting. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This is a beautiful promise for anyone carrying the heavy weight of trauma.
The Bible also encourages believers to support one another. Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” People suffering from PTSD need love, patience, and understanding. Just as God offers His comfort, we are called to walk alongside others in their pain, helping them feel seen and supported.
Finally, Philippians 4:6-7 offers a powerful reminder about the peace that comes from God: “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.” Although healing may take time, God’s peace is available to those who seek Him.
In all of this, the Bible shows that God is near to the brokenhearted and offers hope to those struggling with fear and anxiety. PTSD is real, and it can feel overwhelming, but God’s love and care are even greater. With His help, healing is possible.