On this page we’re going to look at a few Bible verses to help in challenging times, to encourage or strengthen you. It’s great to look to God’s word. Although God has given us the ability to think for ourselves, there are many things beyond our control, or understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6 gives us some great advice:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
This page invites you to seek His will and look to His word in particular times of need. (I should add, the advice from Proverbs above applies to all times of life, in all situations: “Seek his will in all you do…” good, and bad times alike.)
No, I didn’t mean that!
But we have to be careful to take a verse in context. If you don’t, you might be left with a con!
Have you ever been in a position where you have had your words taken out of context so that their meaning is completely changed? Boris Johnson said every word of this video, but taken out of context, its meaning has been completely altered, and he has been misinterpreted. Here it’s just for comedy effect, but we can do the same thing with God and His word. I will be suggesting some verses for you, but it’s good to get into the habit of finding these in your Bible and reading what comes just before and after.
Jesus doesn’t promise us easy life, but the Bible is full of comfort and promises. God’s character is that of being faithful and trustworthy. His word can be trusted and is true:
PSALM 33:4
For the word of the Lord holds true,
and we can trust everything he does.
10 Bible verses in times of trouble:
Here are some Bible verses which you could turn to in times of trouble:
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?
Psalm 23:4
Even when I walk through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
Lamentations 3:22-23
22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
John 14:27
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
2 Corinthians 1:3
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.
John 16:33
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
Matthew 5:4
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Romans 8:37-39
37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Peter 5:7
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Bible verses in times of doubting:
We all have times when we doubt. In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me”. If we are genuinely searching for the truth, we will find him. Here are some verses that might help with your searching, including in times of doubt.
Luke 1:1-4
Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. 2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. 3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honourable Theophilus, 4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
John 20: 24-29
24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” 26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” 28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. 29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
Mark 15: 39
When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
James 1:5-8
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
Acts 1:3-4
3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before.
1 Corinthians 15: 5-8
5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him.
When we doubt, we can ask for more faith:
Mark 9: 24
The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
Bible verses for troubled relationships
Maybe you need advice to help you get along with someone who is difficult to get along with. Maybe you have broken relationship where hurts runs deep and unforgiveness is causing great pain. What does the Bible say?
Luke 6:27-31
27 “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 30 Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. 31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
Galatians 5:14
For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.
Philippians 2:3-4
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Ephesians 4:2-4
2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
Colossians 3:12-13
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Matthew 18: 15-17
15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
Proverbs 15: 1
A gentle answer deflects anger,
but harsh words make tempers flare.
and finally, to sum up…
1 Peter 3: 8-17
8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. 10 For the Scriptures say,
“If you want to enjoy life
and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies.
11 Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil.”
Suffering for Doing Good
13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!
All of these have been taken from the New Living Translation (NLT)
Next steps:
It’s great to turn to God in times of need, but we really need to aim to walk with God all of the time. Are you part of a Church? Church connects us with God, through the teaching of the Word and through worshipping Him with others. It’s also really healthy to meet frequently with other Christians. They can pray with you, mentor you, you can encourage each other and often challenge each other.
If you have a Christian friend you can go to church with, that’s great. If not, and you live in the UK, try looking on this website for a Church near you. (On this site there’s also an online Christians chat service)
Where next?
Help Reading the Bible
Although reading these quotes will help, it’s important to read the Bible regularly.
Your Identity in Christ
Do you know what the Bible says about who you are? When we become a Christian, we become a new person.
Have you found this page useful? Then who not share with friends and family on social media.