15 Encouraging Bible Verses for Hard Times

Going through some difficult seasons of life? I hope these Bible verses for hard times will encourage you, to keep pressing on and stay strong in your faith.

encouraging Bible verses for hard times

{ This post and the photos within it contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking an affiliate link, my ministry gets a small commission, with no extra cost to you. See my full disclosures HERE. }

Firstly, if you’re enduring some tough times in your life, please know that you’re definitely not alone!

We all endure struggles and challenges at some time in our lives. Whether it’s financial difficulty, relationship troubles, sickness, loss of a loved one, or any number of other hard times, you are not the only one.

After I became a born-again Christian, for a long time I bought into the notion that being a Christian means having God’s protection from troubles. Like, God will shower me with only blessings, and will protect me from hurt, sickness, pain, sorrow, depression, you name it. Except, that’s not what the Bible says!

In fact, God’s Word is SO FULL of Bible verses about perseverance through hard times, once we actually start reading, it should be pretty self-explanatory that we WILL endure trials at some point. However, I think we humans tend to be in denial about that, as long as we’re in the good times of life…

…until we actually experience some tough times ourselves. And then, these encouraging Bible verses for hard times make a lot more sense!

(Case in point, I’m sitting here trying to write this in a brain fog, my right eye refuses to focus, plus a bunch of other aches and pains that a certain pandemic illness left behind. I’ve had narcolepsy since I was 12, but this is just more exhaustion on top of that. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg… Believe me, these verses are speaking to me now in ways they haven’t before!)

Ever wonder what God says about hard times?

I know, when you face difficulties it’s all too easy to blame God, or ask “why me?”, or even be so mad at God that you deliberately turn away from Him, or even stop believing He exists at all. But please, don’t do that!

God never said we would have it easy here on earth…actually, His Word says quite the opposite! We live in a fallen world, subject to Satan’s influence, plus our own sins and the sins of others.

During his ministry on earth, Jesus Christ—the very Son of God, who is united with the Father—told us to expect this kind of trouble.

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
John 16:33 (AMP)

But, like Jesus said, our troubles don’t get the final say! Not only does God promise to be with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9, Psalm 23:4), but He promises us victory over sin, and He has good and purposeful plans for each of us—all the way to eternity!

Bible and flowers - Joshua 1:9

15 Encouraging Bible Verses for Hard Times

I think that’s the most important message we can get from these encouraging Bible verses for hard times: that YES, we will have troubles, BUT God is good to take care of us and watch over us! He hears our prayers, and will restore us and lift us up in His perfect timing.

So, please don’t think that because you’re enduring trials, that God has left you alone. You might not understand it, you might not like it, but God is still working for your good, and His ways are higher than yours.

The verses I selected for this post are some of the best Bible verses for tough times. But, I encourage you to explore your Bible further on your own, as there are so many more than just these 15! With that being said, I’ve arranged these verses to begin with WHY (as in, why do we have troubles), and end with HOPE (God cares for us, and we can look forward to better days ahead!)

1) Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

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.

I chose this to go first, because it’s just such an amazing all-around Bible verse about life, which is equally applicable in good times and in terrible times! Note that it says “TRUST”, “lean not on your own understanding”, and “SUBMIT”. We may not understand why we go through hard times—but that’s why it’s so important to TRUST God and not our own skewed perspective.

2) James 1:2-4, 12 (NIV)

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. […] Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Speaking of Bible verses for hard times… this is pure gold! Lately, with everything going on in the world (and in my own life), I’ve felt my faith take a hit. But this verse reminds me that “the testing of your faith produces perseverance”! So, I press on with trusting God, because I surely want that crown of life and eternity with my Lord Jesus Christ! And I pray you will too.

3) 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT)

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Talk about Bible verses for encouragement in trials! Just like James 1:2-4, this Scripture emboldens us to find JOY in our struggles. I don’t know about you, but I don’t exactly feel joyful when I’m enduring pain or suffering. BUT, it IS a joy to realize that my faith in God is being strengthened! What a profound statement verse 6 makes: “These trials will show that your faith is genuine.”! It’s just like Job said “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10, NIV)

4) 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Oh boy, this is another profound truth. It’s such a great reminder, to not be surprised or dismayed when you find yourself in tough times. Suffering is to be expected, and while it might not be fun or pleasant (maybe even downright miserable), we still have reason to rejoice.

5) John 16:33 (NIV)

“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.”

This is definitely one of my favorite comforting Bible verses for hard times. If Jesus Himself said we would have troubles, then well, okay, I can accept that. If you’re like me, and find yourself wondering yet again “What’s wrong with me? Why do I have so much difficulty?”, this is a great verse to commit to memory (and to heart!) You’re not alone in your troubles.

6) Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

By now, I’m sure you see what I meant, when I said God’s Word is full of Bible verses for stressful times. There is truly no shortage of encouragement for you and I in our struggles! And this verse is a great reminder, that on the other side of those struggles, is confident HOPE. No matter how bleak or uncertain life is here on earth, we always have hope in the Lord!

7) 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

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.

Have you ever felt like you’re the only one struggling against sin? Like, everyone else has it all together? Not so! As this Scripture says, the temptation you face is something many others face as well. And God will help you, in His way and in His perfect timing.

8) Romans 8:18, 28 (NIV)

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. […] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 is by far one of my favorite Scriptures. Here, I included verse 18 for more context, because it illustrates an important truth: Our sufferings don’t necessarily make sense to us in the moment, but God is still working everything (including those sufferings) for our benefit. If that’s not a good Bible verse for hard times, I don’t know what is!

9) Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

This is such a great Bible verse for overwhelming times! Some days, we feel weighed down by all the trials and temptations. Which is why this Scripture encourages us to “throw off” those things that hinder us (sin, worldly pursuits, Satan’s lies we’ve mistakenly believed, etc.), and run the “race” with perseverance. And we can always look to Jesus for inspiration!

10) Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

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.

What a wonderful Bible verse about worry and stress… don’t fret, because God will hold you up. You may be enduring difficulties, but He will help you through them! So, keep praising Him even in the storm, and have faith that He is working it all for your good.

11) Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV)

Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

The Psalms are so full of comforting Bible verses for hard times, such as this one. Finding peace and rest in God, waiting patiently for deliverance, trusting Him, and so forth… when you’re feeling downtrodden or in despair, try reading a Psalm out loud. I’ve personally found this practice to be helpful in bolstering my faith and trust in God.

12) 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Isn’t this beautiful? Whatever troubles we’ve been through in life, God comforts us, so then we can share that comfort others who are enduring similar trials.

13) 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Now, we transition into Scriptures that give us HOPE for the future… and what a wonderful Bible verse for comfort and encouragement this one is! It’s so good to be reminded that our earthly troubles are only “light and momentary”, especially in comparison to the eternal reward God has in store for us. We can’t possible ‘see’ it yet, but we can focus on God’s promise of eternal life through Christ.

14) 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Lots of comforting Bible verses for hard times speak only to the current situation (enduring the trial itself). So, I love that this verse talks about the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’! We all long for our sufferings to end, right? And what a comfort it is, to know that God shapes and strengthens us through our troubles, and He will restore us at the proper time.

15) Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV)

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘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.”

And finally, we close this list of encouraging Bible verses for hard times with the MOST ENCOURAGING one of all! Our greatest HOPE as followers of Jesus Christ, is that one day we will be with Him in ‘paradise’ (Luke 23:43). I know it sounds like a long way off, but once we’re there, all the sorrow and pain we experience in this brief earthly life will seem like a distant memory.

Certainly, our life here on earth is filled with many blessings from God. There are many good times, but also many difficult days. There are of joy-even-in-sorrow kind of days, challenging days, bittersweet days, and then overjoyed and triumphant days too. All are still good days that God has made (Psalm 118:24). And God is with us through it all, lifting us up, helping us, and shaping us to be more like Jesus.

I do hope these Bible verses for hard times have brought you comfort and encouragement! Personally, it helps me a lot just knowing that God is working for my good (Romans 8:28), that difficulties won’t last forever (1 Peter 5:10), and I can look forward to eternity when there will be NO MORE tears or pain (Rev. 21:1-4).

Just think… even our best days here on this fallen earth will pale in comparison to the glorious eternal life God has planned for all those who LOVE Him. ❤️

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top