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Flip the ScriptA program of Wildfire Foundation

Bible verses for when you feel like you're drowning

When you're in over your head, you can cry out to God, and He is with you in the deep water.

Sometimes life doesn't feel heavy so much as deep. These verses were written by people in over their heads, and they show God reaching down.

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What it sounds like

  • “I'm drowning.”
  • “I can't keep my head above water.”
  • “It's all too much.”
  • “I'm going under.”

Four verses for today

  1. 1Psalm 69:1

    Read in context
    Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck.

    David prayed this when it felt like the water was up to his neck. You can pray it too.

  2. 2Psalm 18:16

    Read in context
    He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.

    God reached down from on high and pulled David out of deep waters.

  3. 3Matthew 14:30-31

    Read in context
    But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”

    When Peter started to sink, he cried out, and Jesus reached out His hand right away. His faith wobbled, and Jesus caught him first.

  4. 4Isaiah 43:2

    Read in context
    When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.

    God told His people He'd be with them in deep waters, and the rivers wouldn't overwhelm them.

    What Isaiah 43:2 means

Verses from the Berean Standard Bible.

Say it out loud

God reaches down and holds on to me. I'm not going under alone. I can cry out, “Lord, save me,” and He hears.

More Bible declarations like this

A prayer

Lord, save me. I'm in over my head and I can't do this by myself. Reach down and hold on to me. Help me take one small step today, and send someone to walk with me. Amen.

Questions people ask

What does the Bible say when you feel like you're drowning?

It gives you words. Psalm 69:1 prays, “the waters are up to my neck.” Psalm 18:16 says God reached down and drew David out of deep waters, and when Peter began to sink, Jesus caught him at once (Matthew 14:31).

What should I do when it all feels like too much?

Say it out loud to God, the way the psalms do. Then tell one person today. Take one small step, like eating, sleeping or making one call. If it's been this heavy for a while, talk with a counselor or your doctor.

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