There are so many Bible verses about strength and courage in difficult times! Through hard times of suffering, pain, and grief, your faith is tested and can be strengthened by relying on God and trusting in Him.
When your life is being challenged and uncertainty, turn to God in prayer “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) Also, look to the Word of God for encouragement and comfort that God is always with you!
It’s hard to make it through life whenever you’re dealing with a difficult situation. You know God is there and you know He is listening, but sometimes you just need a reminder. I want to share 10 Bible verses about strength and courage in difficult times that can help you through a hard time with the encouragement of God’s promises.
During times of trial, we need to remain courageous and faithful. We also must stay steadfast in our devotion to the Lord as we battle feelings of doubt, fear, and limitation. He will provide the strength and hope not only to endure the hardship but also to make the changes that are required of us so we can claim the blessings of God.
Hard times, as we have seen, are inevitable. We best suit up every day according to Ephesians 6:10-20 so we can fight whatever the world throws at us. Have a prayer arsenal, quick go-to verses, and a believing friend in your phone contacts. And remember, our sovereign God will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication 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 minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:6-8)
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)
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What does God Say About Going Through Hard Times?
Everyone understands the meaning of hard times. Hard times come as the result of others’ actions that affect someone, like a change in a job position, a breakup of a marriage, financial hardships, are a broken friendship with a friend.
Sometimes we think that when we are going through difficult times, we are the only one that going through. But, when I read of Paul’s life, my attitude changed.
Reading the story of a storm, a shipwreck, and a poisonous snake in Acts, Luke records an event in the apostle Paul’s life that helps us understand our experiences of profound suffering. When God called Paul from being the church’s persecutor to be a gospel preacher, the Lord showed him how much he would suffer for the sake of his name (see Acts 9:10–16).
Part of Paul’s suffering came during a storm and shipwreck on the Mediterranean Sea (see Acts 27–28). By this time, he was a prisoner being transported to Rome to appear before Caesar.
Luke was with him and details for us the hardships suffered during the storm, including the crew’s having to throw the ship’s cargo and tackle overboard, and everyone being so worried that they didn’t eat for two weeks.
Eventually the ship ran aground on a reef, and everyone swam for shore after the Roman centurion in charge had persuaded his soldiers not to kill Paul and the other prisoners to prevent their escape. As if all that wasn’t bad enough, once on shore Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake.
Even though Paul suffered hard times, Paul declared in his unshakable confidence that nothing—absolutely nothing! —can separate Christians from the love of God in Christ:
“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?” (Rom. 8:35). No! Assuredly not! For “despite all these things,” Paul declared, “overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us” (Rom. 8:36–37 NLT).
He can—and ultimately will—see his people safely through even the worst storms.
There are so many bible verses about strength and courage in hard times that will encourage you, each and everyday, in every situation of your life. Meditate on them. Draw your strength and courage from them, they will strengthen your heart. When we depend on and put our trust in God, He can give us the strength and courage we need to get through the situation.
Related: 20 Powerful Psalms for Strength in Hard Times
How Does God help us in Difficult Times?
Everyone faces difficult times along the way. God Always helps us in Difficult times. Never allow the temptation of throwing in the towel to become your decision. Fighting trials alone removes the supernatural strength and interaction that will help you come out of your difficulties with victory.
No one enjoys going through difficult times. Trials are part of life for the Christian and the non-believer alike. However, when a Christian learns to put their trust in God during times of difficulty, they will see the hand of God and additional growth in their walk with Him. His infinite wisdom and love for His children are shown even during the hard times. God will always come through for you.
When we do go through hardships, whether they be financial troubles, painful relationships, health issues, it is hard for us to realize that God is still always working in us.
2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us it can be difficult to trust God during uncertain times, but as believers we know that His ways are not our ways, and He will ultimately work all things for good (Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 8:28).
The following will help you understand how God helps us in difficult times.
Trusting God’s Timing
When you are in a waiting season, God’s timing is always perfect. Even though we don’t believe it when we are going through difficult times.
God’s never early, never late, but always on time. Our timing isn’t God’s timing. For us, God’s timing often feels like a long, desperate wait.
God’s perfect timing does two things: It grows our faith as we are forced to wait and trust in God and it makes certain that He, and He alone, gets the glory and praise for pulling us through. “My times are in Your hands …” Psalm 31:15.
At the appointed time, God will provide your need. At the right time, God will deliver you. At the right time, God will rescue you.
When is a time in your life you had to learn to trust God’s timing? Do you look back on it and remember it when going through a difficult time? God is faithful and wants us to remember He has a plan for our lives and it’s good. And His timing is beyond our comprehension but for His good and our glory.
Related: Finding Your Strength in Difficult Times
How Will You Trust God’s Timing Going Forward?
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9.
Read, memorize, and meditate on Scripture.
The only way to get the victory in your life…pray. Start with asking God to remove the oppression and to help you. He will answer even the shortest smallest, one-word prayer…even the one word uttered, God will hear.
Other times, I read a familiar passage of scriptures or something that is speaking to me at that time. I often read and focus on God’s promises that apply to specifically to me and my situation.
“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).
Remember God’s faithfulness.
Take time to remember how faithful God is. If He moved in your life once, He will move for you again. Another way that I remember God’s faithfulness is through journaled prayer requests and answers. As you consider God’s faithfulness, thank Him for your past and present blessings and answers. Thankfulness will help you to trust God in hard times.
Praise God in Advance for the Answer.
Even if you’re in a difficult season, praise God. As you praise God, you’re confirming who He is to you. You’re making yourself aware of His goodness and His plans. And you’re telling God that even in this storm, I trust you.
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore, my heart rejoices, and I praise Him with my song” (Ps. 28:7).
“But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one” (2 Thes. 3:3).
When times are tough, our thoughts are often pulled to the quickest solution or even fears about how things could get worse. Singing songs and shouting praise are not at the forefront of our minds.
But if you’re going through difficult times right now, praising God is EXACTLY what you need to do. That’s why the devil works so hard to keep you focused on your problems—that’s not where your help comes from! Psalm 121:2 says our help comes from the Lord. Hallelujah!
Remember how Joseph waited for 13 years before seeing his dreams come true; remember how David also waited on God for 13 years before ascending unto the throne of Israel.
And again, don’t forget how Abraham relied on God’s perfect timing and in 30 years’ time saw the promise of a son come to pass.
Remember to keep your eyes on Jesus. Pray. Be real with God, Spend time in the Word. Talk to Jesus.
Jesus said, “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.” John 16:33
Bible Verses for Strength in Hard Times
Here are some Bible verses for strength in hard times, especially when facing trials. Write them down and meditate on them when you need strength.
1. “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)
We may feel that what God asks us to do is too difficult. Jesus said we must deny our selfish ways, take up our cross, and follow Him (Mark 8:34-37). But He goes with us, helps us, and rewards us. This may seem difficult, but nothing is too hard with God’s love and power enabling us.
2. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)
When we go through trials and tests, it seems like it will never come to an end, But God is a God of all time; He knows exactly how long our trials will endure and He will give us the strength we need to get through them.
3. “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
God wants us strong and courageous. That means when we are facing trials, never forget God knows. It just makes sense that we would let Him guide us since He knows infinitely more about our lives than we do.
4. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
When we have an important decision to make, we sometimes feel that we can’t trust anyone- even God. But God knows the best path for us. He is a better judge of what we need than we are! We must trust Him completely in every choice we make. The bible tells us not to wise in our own eyes. (Proverbs 3:7)
5. “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely, I will help you, surely, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Trials have a way of wearing us down and before long, we don’t think we can put one weary foot in front of another. God reassures us that He is with us. God will give us the strength we need; He will help us and will uphold us. And if God upholds us, we’re going to be okay.
6. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:26-27)
God promised us that He will never leave us. Jesus said that He will give us another comforter. To everyone who know Jesus as their Savior, and Lord, He has given us his Holy Spirit. And it is His Spirit who reminds us of what God says in His Word. The peace God gives us is a peace the world cannot even understand. It’s a peace that will settle our hearts and give our minds rest.
7. “Cast your burden upon the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” (Psalm 55:22)
God wants us to give our burdens to Him, but often we continue to bear them ourselves even when we say we are trusting in Him. God is waiting for us to cast whatever care we are facing on Him. And when we really cast our cares on Him, then we would know He is more than able to handle whatever we are facing.
8. “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:25-27)
Because of the ill effects of worry, Jesus tells us not to worry about the needs that God promises to supply. If God can take care of the sparrows, He can take care of us. The ones who were made in His own image, after His likeness. He tells us that we should not worry, just as those birds don’t give a second thought to where they will eat. Instead, they trust the Father’s hand.
9. “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation.” (Psalm 91:14-16)
God is our protector, our rescuer. The One who will come when we call and who will take us to safety. We acknowledge that we know Him, and he gives us His protection. We call on Him and He responds. And He just doesn’t watch us in trouble, He delivers us out of it. And then He honors us and blesses us with long life. God shows us He is looking out for us, and all He asks is that we call on Him.
Download this free bible verse that will give you strength and courage during hard times.
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10. This passage was written by Paul, who, as we saw, went through some serious hard times. And through it all he kept his faith. In it he says, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” What an amazing, eternal perspective we can all adopt when times get rough. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Our troubles do not need to diminish our faith or disillusion us. We should realize that God cares deeply about our suffering even when we do not have tangible evidence of his working on our behalf. Even when our pain feels great, God is still good and faithful, and his glory is always greater.
A Prayer for Hard Times
Lord, help us when we face trials in this life. Help us to call on You, knowing You always hear us. Help us to lean on You instead of leaning on our own understanding. Give us the strength we need and remind us always that You are aware of what touches us. You see even one sparrow that falls, and we are worth more than sparrows. Thank you, Lord, for not leaving us comfortless. Thank You for Your great love. We pray this in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
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