30 Powerful Bible Verses About Self Harm (With Commentary)

Self-harm is a painful expression of internal struggles, emotional hurt, and a longing for relief. While the Bible doesn’t directly address self-harm, it offers powerful truths about our value, God’s love for us, and His desire for our healing. Scripture speaks to the worth of every person, made in God’s image, and reminds us that God offers hope, healing, and peace even in the darkest of times. These 30 Bible verses provide comfort, guidance, and encouragement for those who may be struggling with self-harm or emotional pain, offering hope in God’s promises. Each verse is followed by a reflection on God’s care and how to seek healing through Him.

Bible Verses About Self Harm

1. Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

This verse offers comfort to those feeling brokenhearted or crushed by life’s circumstances. It reminds us that God is near when we are at our lowest and that He cares deeply for us. In moments of emotional pain, we can find solace in knowing that God draws close to us, offering His love and healing.

2. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

This verse reminds us that our bodies are precious to God, as they are temples of His Holy Spirit. It encourages us to care for ourselves physically and spiritually, understanding that God values us deeply. It challenges us to seek healing and honor God with how we treat our bodies, trusting in His love for us.

3. Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

God is portrayed as a healer in this verse, offering comfort to those who are emotionally and physically wounded. It reminds us that God sees our pain and desires to bring us healing, no matter how deep our wounds are. We can turn to Him for comfort and restoration when we feel broken.

4. Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

This verse reminds us that God has a good plan for our lives, even when we feel hopeless or lost. It encourages us to trust that God’s purpose for us includes hope and a future filled with His love and care. In times of despair, we can rely on God’s promises for our well-being.

5. Isaiah 43:4
“Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.”

This verse speaks of God’s deep love and value for us. It reminds us that we are precious in God’s sight, and He loves us with an unwavering love. In moments of feeling worthless or unloved, we can hold onto the truth that God sees us as valuable and worthy of His love.

6. Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Jesus invites us to bring our burdens to Him and promises to give us rest. This verse reminds us that we don’t have to carry the weight of our pain alone. It encourages us to come to Jesus with our struggles, trusting Him to provide comfort and relief from our emotional and mental burdens.

7. 1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

This verse encourages us to bring our worries and anxieties to God, knowing that He cares for us deeply. It reminds us that God is always available to listen to our struggles and that we don’t need to bear our burdens alone. His care is constant, and we can trust Him with our pain.

8. Psalm 139:14
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

This verse reminds us that we are wonderfully made by God, who crafted us with purpose and love. It encourages us to see ourselves through God’s eyes, recognizing our inherent worth and beauty. When we feel inadequate or undeserving, we can hold onto the truth that God sees us as His precious creation.

9. Romans 8:38-39
“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.”

This powerful verse assures us that nothing can separate us from God’s love. It reminds us that no matter how deep our struggles are, God’s love is constant and unbreakable. It encourages us to find comfort in the truth that God’s love will always be with us, even in our darkest moments.

10. 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.”

God promises to be with us in our times of fear and weakness. This verse reminds us that we are never alone, even when we feel overwhelmed by our struggles. It encourages us to trust in God’s strength and help, knowing that He will uphold us through every difficulty we face.

11. John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus acknowledges that we will face troubles in life but reassures us that He has already overcome the world. This verse reminds us that in Christ, we can find peace even in the midst of our struggles. It encourages us to hold onto the victory that Jesus offers and trust in His power to bring us through our trials.

12. Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

This verse reminds us that God gives us the strength to endure and overcome challenges, even when we feel weak. It encourages us to rely on Christ’s power rather than our own, trusting that He will provide the strength we need to face our struggles and seek healing.

13. 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.”

This verse assures us of God’s presence and comfort, even when we are walking through the darkest times in life. It reminds us that we don’t have to face our pain alone because God is with us, guiding and protecting us. His presence brings comfort and hope, even in our lowest moments.

14. 1 Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

This verse speaks of God’s faithfulness to help us through times of temptation and struggle. It reminds us that God provides a way out of the pain and challenges we face, and we are never left to endure it alone. It encourages us to seek God’s help in finding the strength to overcome difficult emotions and temptations.

15. Proverbs 18:10
“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

This verse speaks of the safety and protection found in God’s presence. It reminds us that when we are overwhelmed by pain, we can run to God for refuge and protection. His name is a strong tower where we can find safety and comfort, even in our most vulnerable moments.

16. Hebrews 4:15-16
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Jesus understands our weaknesses and struggles, having experienced temptation and suffering Himself. This verse reminds us that we can confidently approach God’s throne for mercy and grace in our time of need. It encourages us to seek God’s help without fear, knowing that He understands and offers compassion.

17. 2 Corinthians 12:9
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Paul reminds us that God’s grace is enough to carry us through our weaknesses. This verse encourages us to embrace our need for God’s strength, recognizing that His power is displayed in our moments of greatest weakness. It assures us that God’s grace is sufficient for any struggle we face.

18. Psalm 55:22
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

This verse encourages us to bring our burdens to God, trusting that He will sustain and uphold us. It reminds us that God is faithful and will not allow us to be overcome by our struggles. We can rely on His strength to carry us through even the toughest times.

19. Isaiah 53:5
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

This verse speaks of the sacrifice of Jesus, who took on our pain and suffering to bring us peace and healing. It reminds us that through Christ’s wounds, we can find healing for our emotional, spiritual, and physical brokenness. It encourages us to seek the healing that Jesus offers through His sacrifice.

20. Zephaniah 3:17
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

This beautiful verse reminds us that God delights in us and is always with us, ready to save us. It speaks to the joy that God has in His love for us, even when we feel unworthy. It encourages us to find comfort in God’s love and His constant presence, knowing that He rejoices over us.

21. Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

This verse assures us that God is our safe place and source of strength in times of trouble. It reminds us that we can always turn to God for help, no matter what we are going through. It encourages us to trust in His constant presence and rely on His strength to carry us through.

22. Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

This verse speaks of the hope, joy, and peace that God gives to those who trust in Him. It reminds us that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can find hope even in the midst of despair. It encourages us to trust in God’s promises and allow His Spirit to fill us with hope.

23. Psalm 118:17
“I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.”

This verse expresses a declaration of life and hope. It reminds us that, even in our darkest moments, God has a plan for us to live and testify to His goodness. It encourages us to choose life and to look forward to the future, knowing that God has a purpose for us.

24. Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

God’s promise to be with us in every situation is a source of strength and courage. This verse reminds us that we don’t have to face our struggles alone—God is always with us. It encourages us to be strong in His presence, knowing that He will never abandon us.

25. Job 5:11
“The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.”

This verse speaks of God’s care for those who are lowly and in mourning. It reminds us that God lifts up the brokenhearted and brings them to a place of safety. It encourages us to trust in God’s ability to rescue us from emotional pain and give us peace.

26. 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.”

This verse encourages us to bring all our anxieties to God through prayer, trusting Him to provide peace that surpasses human understanding. It reminds us that God’s peace can guard our hearts and minds from overwhelming emotions. It encourages us to seek God in prayer and trust in His peace.

27. Psalm 34:17
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”

This verse assures us that God hears our cries and is faithful to deliver us from our troubles. It reminds us that we can always turn to God in times of distress, knowing that He listens and responds. It encourages us to seek God’s help in our struggles, trusting in His deliverance.

28. James 1:2-4
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

This verse challenges us to see trials as opportunities for growth and perseverance. It reminds us that God can use even our most difficult struggles to shape us into mature, complete individuals. It encourages us to trust in God’s work in our lives, even in times of emotional pain.

29. Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

This verse calls us to trust in God’s wisdom and guidance, rather than relying on our own understanding. It reminds us that when we submit our lives to God, He will lead us on the right path. It encourages us to trust in His plan for healing and restoration, even when we don’t fully understand it.

30. Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

This verse offers a beautiful picture of the future promise of God’s eternal healing. It reminds us that one day, God will take away all pain and suffering, bringing us into a place of perfect peace and joy. It encourages us to hold onto this hope, knowing that God’s ultimate plan is to restore and heal all things.

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