If you’ve reached a point of desperation with the state of your spirit, invite the Lord to sit with you in your pain. This 10-day excerpt from Joanna Teigen gives words to guide you to refuge in the Lord. When your mind feels flooded with thoughts of anxiety, destruction, and hopelessness, cast your eyes to the light of Jesus in the midst of your darkness.
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Day 1
Scripture: Psalms 139:11-12
God is stronger than the crippling power of anxiety and fear. Joanna Teigen provides words to guide you straight to the Lord in these moments. Even when you’re at the end of your rope, God is always waiting to listen to you.
Light in the Darkness
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to You…
Psalm 139:11-12
Lord,
No matter which way I turn, all I can see is pain. Grief and frustration consume my emotions, while laughter and joy seem like a distant memory. I’m afraid I will sink so low or suffer so deeply that I’ll never recover. I wonder if my struggles will leave me broken and alone.
You—and You only—are my light in this darkness. Nothing I feel is a secret to You. No problem is too great for You to solve, and nothing can hide me from Your eyes. I’m trusting You to search for me, find me, and carry me to a “spacious place” of safety and peace (2 Samuel 22:20). Because of Your love, I will be well.
Amen.
Day 2
Scripture: Psalms 94:18-19
The Peace of God
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” Your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy.
Psalm 94:18-19
Lord,
You know the triggers that spike panic without warning. My heart pounds and it’s hard to breathe. Racing thoughts make it impossible to think clearly or solve the issue at hand. As fear takes hold, I feel like lashing out, bursting into tears, or running for cover. It seems impossible to restore my sense of peace.
Yet You, Lord, are ready to meet me in the moment. Teach me to focus on Your Word that promises Your constant presence, power, and love. Move me to pray since You hear me when I cry out to You in distress (Psalm 55:17). Bear the Spirit’s fruit of peace in my heart so I stand firm in the face of trouble. You are my comfort and joy.
Amen.
Day 3
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:31
My God, My Champion
Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
1 Chronicles 16:31
Lord,
I feel I’ve lost every battle I fought to win. Hurtful people crash through the boundaries I set to protect my well-being. Past lies and unhealthy patterns creep back into my thoughts and behaviors. Attempts to move forward with goals or relationships take one step forward and two steps back. A cloud of defeat and failure casts a shadow over my life.
Restore my trust that You have the last word in all things—not my pain, not those against me, and not the losses of yesterday. Even now, You are keeping Your promise to make all things new. Help me to rejoice and “take heart” because You “have overcome the world” (John 16:33). I trust You as my Savior and King who fights for my victory.
Amen.
Day 4
Scripture: Romans 8:38-39
Lasting Love
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Lord,
I confess that doubts whisper in my spirit, asking: Am I forgotten? Have I angered You by my weakness? Am I unworthy of Your help and care? Will I sink so low that You cannot reach me again? I need assurance that You will never let me go.
Renew my confidence in Your faithful love today. You watch over me every moment. Your ears are open to hear every cry and breath of prayer. When I’m rejected or accused, You call me chosen. Forgiven. Beloved. Nothing will diminish Your devotion to me as Your child. I believe.
Amen.
Day 5
Scripture: Psalms 27:13
God is Good
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Psalm 27:13
Lord,
Just when I think my life has reached its capacity for pain, I suffer yet another blow. My support system is crumbling. Setbacks keep blessings out of reach. My situation goes from bad to worse, and I can’t imagine how I’ll take hold of peace or joy again.
Yet You, my God, promise Your love cannot be overcome. In that love, You say I can find security. Mercy and compassion. Victory. Healing and help. You promise Your divine power that gives all I need to keep trusting and carry on (2 Peter 1:3).
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). Fill me with confidence that I will see Your goodness both in this life and the life to come. Overwhelm me with Your love.
Amen.
Day 6
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10
Joy Is on the Way
And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:10
Lord,
Pain and sorrow go on and on with no relief. When I try to climb out of the pit, I sink even deeper than before. I grow afraid that I’ll never mend. My heart yearns for peace and to experience the joys of life once more.
Help me to trust You are holding me and carrying me to freedom even now. Give me a fresh assurance that “weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Sustain a tenacious faith that believes in Jesus’ power to save. Restore my hope. Fill me with “inexpressible and glorious joy” by Your Spirit (1 Peter 1:8). Your love is life.
Amen.
Day 7
Scriptures: Proverbs 27:6, Proverbs 27:9
Willing to Change
Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses…Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.
Proverbs 27:6; 9
Lord,
I don’t always get it right. My emotions cloud my understanding of what’s true and real. False assumptions create conflict and unnecessary pain. My limited perspective keeps me from seeing the help and resources You’ve given for my good. I need a caring, honest friend who will tell me what I need to hear.
I pray You will send others to speak the truth in love instead of offering quick fixes or false sympathy. Give me a humble spirit that is willing to be corrected and challenged to change. Teach me Your Word so Your wisdom and light can shine into my life. Thank You that I don’t have to walk this road alone.
Amen.
Day 8
Scripture: Matthew 8:26
Fear or Faith?
Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then He got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
Matthew 8:26
Lord,
Depression has removed all sense of safety from my life. I’m afraid I’ll come to harm. When healing is slow to come, I fear I’ll be trapped in misery forever. I wonder if others will grow tired of my struggle and abandon me to suffer alone. A cloud of disaster hangs over my future and I’m desperate for help.
By Your Spirit, give me what I need to trust Your power and love. Quiet my panic. Give me signs You are working faithfully to mend what’s broken inside. Fill me with courage as I believe You are by my side through whatever I face. “Keep me safe, my God, for in You I take refuge” (Psalm 16:1).
Amen.
Day 9
Scripture: Proverbs 12:25
A Word of Kindness
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
Proverbs 12:25
Lord,
You know how my struggles leave me overwhelmed and alone. I lose my joy. My outlook grows negative and hopeless. I feel I cast a shadow over others’ happiness, so I pull away to carry my burdens alone. Today my heart is heavy as I crave a word of kindness. A smile. A taste of friendship to remind my spirit that I’m seen and loved.
I pray You’ll send someone to cross my path who has Your heart of care. May their words shine Your light through the clouds of depression. Use them to ease my loneliness and cheer up my day. Refresh my hope that today’s struggles will move behind me as a beautiful future is yet to come. You’re here, You’re faithful, and Your love surrounds my life.
Amen.
Day 10
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7
On My Side
God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-7
Lord,
I struggle to come to terms with all I’ve suffered. Why does my abuser seem to thrive while my wounds have yet to heal? Why is my voice silenced and my boundaries ignored? Why am I held to a high standard while others can treat me as they please? I need relief, and I need to trust You will stand for me until the end.
Help me to believe You are on my side because I’m loved, I’m redeemed, and I’m Yours. Build my faith in Your power to work justice for the past and protect me from future harm. Guard my heart from bitterness so I can forgive as You’ve forgiven me. You are my champion and my peace.
Amen.