18 Bible Verses For Hard Times You Need to Read

Life is full of mountains and valleys for us all. Sometimes, life can be downright overwhelming and hard. When that happens, I turn to my favorite bible verses for hard times, which I would like to share with you today. These are well -read verses for myself, and no matter how bad things get these Bible verses never fail to lift me up and give me strength and encouragement.

Why Turn to Bible Verses for Hard Times?

As Rachel Hollis said, “You have to go through the valleys to get the strength to climb the mountain.” Things in life do not always go my way. Sometimes things happen that are beyond my control. Other times, I forget to take care of myself and I start to get burnt out and discouraged. Yet other times, I take things personally or I do not set my personal boundaries as I should and I get hurt. Sometimes life is just downright overwhelming and it snowballs on me.
There are many ways to push through when you feel like giving up and tips for getting through challenging times. However, no matter my current situation, I know that God is always there and that he understands and cares. These Bible verses for hard times remind me of what I already know. They remind me that God loves me, he cares, he’s there for me, and that he will never leave me nor forsake me. He’s the friend that sticks closer than a brother, and when I feel that I do not have the strength to go on, He will carry me.

Strengthening Bible Verses for Hard Times

When I am going through a hard time, I need strengthening. I feel that I can’t make it on my own, so I reach out to my Lord for help. All the following Bible verses for hard times are where I turn when I need strength.

Isaiah 40:31

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 41:10

“Fear not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee: yea, I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Exodus 14:14

“The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”

I Peter 5:10

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

Comforting Bible Verses for Hard Times

Hard times can bring us pretty low. We also need comfort in addition to strength. These are the Bible verses for hard times that bring me comfort, and I hope, bring it to you as well.

Isaiah 40: 1-2

“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.”

Isaiah 43:1-2

“But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, though shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.“

Matthew 5:4

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

I Peter 5:6-7

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Romans 8:18

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Romans 8:38-39

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Encouraging Bible Verses for Hard Times

In addition to comfort and strength, I also need encouragement. Here are my favorite Bible verses for hard times that give me the encouragement that I need to keep going.

Psalms 40:1

“I waited patiently for the lord: and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”

I Timothy 6:6-8

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us therewith be content.”

II Corinthians 12: 9-10

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.“

II Corinthians 4:7-9

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken, cast down, but not destroyed.”

II Corinthians 4:17-18

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things with are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Ephesians 6:11

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Romans 8:24-25

“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

Philippians 4: 8

“ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

The Last Thing You Need to Know About Bible Verses for Hard Times

This list of Bible verses for hard times is by no means a complete list. These all come from the King James Version of the Bible, which is the one that I use. I have not said much about them by way of explanation because they speak for themselves. If you are going through a hard time, know that I am praying for you. You are not alone. We serve a mighty and powerful God, but also a very kind, loving and caring God as well. He will give you strength when you are weak and will carry you when you cannot walk. When you draw near to him, he will also draw near to you. I’d love to hear what your favorite verse or verses are. Leave me a comment below!
God bless and Happy Questing!
Jennifer

Thank you, Mykila Davidson, Sharon Easterling, and Bradley Johnson for sharing your favorite Bible verses for hard times with me.

Reference: Bible Gateway