30 Verses to Affirm Yourself When You Feel Empty

How Do You Cope with Emptiness?

In my emptiness, I can attest to feeling sad, lonely, and apathetic toward life. Whatever happens, happens. That’s my mindset, but negative thinking never solves the issue. Instead, I’ve learned to talk to God, or talk to someone when the emptiness becomes known. However, sometimes prayer doesn’t quite fill me up. Sometimes I can’t find someone to help. In those moments, Scripture often makes a difference.

Christ promises rest for the burdened, but we have to seek Him out. Reading Scripture is one way to do that. Here are 30 verses to affirm yourself when you feel empty. 

Read them. Study them. Recite them. Use them. Every day or as needed. There are thirty verses for the next thirty days.

30 Verses to Affirm Yourself When You Feel Empty

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:3)

God does not expect us to be happy all the time. If we can maintain humility in our emptiness, good things await.

“But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Even when we don’t feel loveable, God does love us. He loved us before we knew Him.

“A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.” (Proverbs 11:25)

Here’s a promise that we will be rejuvenated after giving to others.

“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

God taught us how to love and His love is boundless. Be encouraged by that.

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Fear is pretty draining. With God though, we don’t have to fear.

“This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5)

Don’t be dismayed just because life doesn’t look as you would like. Our hope will not be put to shame.

“Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe his discipline; for the Lord disciplines the one he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.” (Proverbs 3:11-12)

Don’t allow emptiness to lead to sin. God can and will use our emotions to better us.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)

Longing can leave us with a feeling of emptiness. God says we will be filled.

“But those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Here’s a comforting promise as we await deliverance from our valley.

“When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place, what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him?” (Psalm 8:3-4)

God remembers and looks after us, even when we carry that “empty” mindset.

“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

A sure way to overcome the empty feelings is to change our perspective. Easier said than done, but still true.

“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

God knows and cares about our suffering.

“No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

People might drain us, but showing love is a great virtue.

“Casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

God will carry our burdens so we don’t need to carry any hardship alone.

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

The emptiness may not erode the moment you start praying, but we should keep praying nonetheless.

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” (Psalm 37:5)

Emptiness tempts us to turn away from God. Instead, let's feel the emotion but continue committing ourselves to God.

“He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)

God tends to our hurts, all of our hurts.

“Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)

Feeling empty puts us in a position to be blessed by God, because we get to demonstrate our need for Him. He exalts the humble.

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

God uses all things for our betterment.

“Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. “ (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

No matter our disposition, we’re commanded to give thanks. Gratitude has an incalculable effect on perspective.

“Hope delayed makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12)

Without hope emptiness has plenty of room to prosper.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26)

We won’t always be able to manage our emotions. Thankfully, God strengthens us.

“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord cares for me.” (Psalm 27:10)

Emptiness can take root when we feel invisible. However, God always sees us.

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

A promise for those carrying heavy burdens.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you’”—this is the Lord’s declaration—‘plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Emptiness makes life seem devoid of plans. That’s the wrong perspective.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)

We may suffer now, but good things will come, in this life or the next!

“Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

The emptiness sucks, but we grow in the process.

“For he will conceal me in his shelter in the day of adversity; he will hide me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.” (Psalm 27:5)

God is where we should always go, and of course when we’re feeling down also.

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

We may feel empty, but God has given our lives meaning.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:10)

Despite our terrible feelings and strenuous circumstances, Heaven awaits. This is the reason to be merry and grateful.

The emptiness does not last forever. The old always makes way for the new. In this life or the next, the emptiness will leave. We will be filled.

Aaron D'Anthony Brown is a freelance writer, hip-hop dance teacher, and visual artist, living in Virginia. He currently contributes to Salem Web Network’s Crosswalk platform and supports various clients through the freelancing website Upwork. He's an outside-the-box thinker with a penchant for challenging the status quo. 

Get in touch with him at aarondanthony.com and check out his debut short story anthology Honey Dreams on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.