43 Encouraging Bible Verses About Strength in Hard Times
Are you facing hard times right now? Are you struggling to find hope and encouragement?
God has given us tremendous hope in His Word. He has promised that Scripture is a sword against the enemy.
These bible verses about strength in hard times will equip you to pick up that sword and stand firm in hope and strength and peace EVEN in the midst of suffering.
Bible Verses for Fear and Anxiety
Fear and anxiety can cripple us. But God tells us that we can have powerful peace to guard our heart and our mind. He tells us that in His peace, we can laugh without fear of the future. Let these verses encourage you if you are facing fear or anxiety in your life right now.
Matthew 6:34
Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
Psalm 55:22
Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
Philippians 4:6-7
In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Bible Verses About Hope
Scripture is full of hope. Even in the midst of suffering, there is hope. Sometimes we don’t feel it, but in choosing to cling to the truth that it is there, you will find peace and joy in every situation.
Ephesians 3:20
Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory, while we don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Hebrews 10:23
Let’s hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful.
Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 5:5
And hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
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Bible Verses for Grief
The Lord has compassion on us as we grieve. If you have lost someone or something and are in the midst of grief, let these verses encourage you today.
Psalm 145:18
The Lord is near to all those who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Lamentations 3:22-23
It is because of the Lord’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn’t fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.
Psalm 103:8
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.
Psalm 103:13
Like a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.
Bible Verses for When You’re Waiting
Are you in the middle of waiting on God right now? Whether it is for a physical change or for healing in something, God has a lot of encouragement for us in our times of waiting. He calls us to hope and worship in this time.
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the Lord.
Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.
Psalm 130:5
I wait for the Lord. My soul waits. I hope in his word.
Psalm 33:20-22
Our soul has waited for the Lord. He is our help and our shield. For our heart rejoices in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
Psalm 5:3
Lord, in the morning you will hear my voice. In the morning I will lay my requests before you, and will watch expectantly.
Bible Verses About Strength and Courage
God is our strength and promises us strength and courage all throughout Scripture. If you are feeling burdened, weary or in the midst of difficult times, know that God will strengthen and sustain you. He will give you all you need to walk forward in faith.
Philippians 4:19
My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the Lord.
Isaiah 41:10
Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
Joshua 1:9
“Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them; for the Lord your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.”
Galatians 6:9
Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up.
Bible Verses About Trusting God in Hard Times
We’ve all been through hard times. But clinging to our faith in the midst of suffering can be tough. Here is some encouragement as you seek to trust God in hard times. Let His Word bring you hope and strength!
Psalm 16:1-2
Preserve me, God, for I take refuge in you. My soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord. Apart from you I have no good thing.”
Psalm 13:5-6
But I trust in your loving kindness. My heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has been good to me.
Bible Verses for Anger
Anger can sometimes get the better of us. It can be hard to find peace and joy when anger wells deep within us. As you seek to process anger in a godly way and find that peace and joy, let these Scriptures encourage you!
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you.
Luke 6:27-29
But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don’t withhold your coat also.
Proverbs 25:21
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
Ephesians 4:26-27
“Be angry, and don’t sin.”Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, and don’t give place to the devil.”
Bible Verses About Purpose in Suffering
One of the greatest ways to find peace and hope in suffering is to find purpose in what you are going through. And Scripture tells us of this purpose over and over. You can also find encouraging books to walk you through your suffering and help you to find healing and hope.
Philippians 1:29
Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,
Matthew 5:11-12
“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Philippians 1:20
According to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
Romans 5:3-5
Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope: and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Bible Verses for Rest in Suffering
Our loving Father offers us rest in the midst of our trials. He promises us peace. Here are just a few verses on the rest that God provides. You can read more night bible verses to help you sleep here.
Psalm 4:8
In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, for you, Lord alone, make me live in safety.
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Bible Verses About Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual warfare is real and working beneath the surface in so many of our struggles and trials. Satan knows that he can get a foothold when we are vulnerable. Here is some powerful encouragement as you seek to overcome spiritual warfare.
Ephesians 6:12-13
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Romans 12:21
Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Peter 5:8-9
Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.
James 4:7
Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Be sure to check out these spiritual warfare prayers.
What is a good Bible verse for overcoming?
There are so many amazing bible verses for overcoming, but this one is one of my favorites. It is a powerful visual of what it feels to truly be in the midst of struggling and yet to know that Christ understands this. He has compassion for us and we will not be crushed.
Keep reading to verses 16-18 for even more encouragement!
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; 9 pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;
What’s a good Psalm for encouragement?
A powerful Psalm for encouragement is Psalm 9. We are reminded of God’s strength and sovereignty. Here are my favorite verses from this Psalm:
Psalm 9:9-10
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
How do you trust God when life is hard?
Trusting God when life is hard takes an intentional faith. Satan will use our struggles to convince us of so many lies.
For me, it was that God didn’t actually love me. That maybe my suffering was proof that I wasn’t actually saved. These thoughts led me to a dark place.
But God gives us so much encouragement in Scripture.
How can you trust God when life is hard? Here are a few ways to stand firm in the faith:
- Be in the Word daily. Even if you can just read one verse, opening the Word of God, the sword against the enemy, is powerful.
- Pray fervently. I know that prayer can be hard. It is helpful to have written prayers that you can read when it feels too difficult. But know that God hears even our unsteady and unsure prayers.
- Choose gratitude. Begin the practice of gratitude daily (or more). Write down 5 things (big or small) that you are grateful for each morning. This will begin to “rewire” your brain and help you see the good.
- Find Support. Don’t suffer alone. Talk to a friend, mentor, pastor or counselor. Be sure that you have someone who can encourage you and build you up in this trying time.
Prayer for Strength in Hard Times
Lord, I come to You right now weary and burdened. I am struggling in big ways. I know in my mind that You are good but my heart longs to feel hope and encouragement in this truth. I commit my struggle to You right now. I open my hands and surrender my heart to You. Lord, You promise me peace and rest and strength over and over again in Scripture. You tell me that You are my refuge, my guide, my hope. Lord, I take these Scriptures and proclaim their truth over my life right now. You have given me victory in Christ. You have a good plan for me and are walking with me through this very trial. Give me strength in this day. Fill me with a peace that transcends all understanding. Give me an eternal perspective and be my rest today, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.