49 Bible Verses for Hard Times

Bible verses for hard times

Stress is born when we don’t trust God fully with what we pray for, hope for, or ask Him for. Years ago, I remember hearing a preacher say, “If you’re going to pray, then don’t worry.  If you’re going to worry, then don’t pray”.  If my memory serves me, a pastor named Hersey L. Hammons came to our city years ago with a family member. Either way, I agree with that statement so much. In order to trust God, we have to 1) know God’s character and 2) know His word. Each requires us to dive into the Bible in search for Bible verses about hard times.

Sometimes, sadly, we don’t do any of these things first. Instead, we just assume the role of “handler” and bear life’s burdens each day- managing life’s demands as part of our ever-growing “to-do” list. Most of us cannot fix a good cup of coffee, much less fix the hard times in our lives. Plus, trying to handle everything without God’s help is a recipe for burnout and “stress out.”

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God. Phil 4:6

Hard times will come, and you will need Bible Verses for Hard Times

Sorry, but it is true. Hard times will find you regardless of who you are, what you do, or what you think. Hard times come because God uses them to shape us into His image and mature us as Christian women.

Look, everyone will have difficult times in life.

We inevitably face challenges, obstacles, and periods of great difficulty. These may be times when we feel lost, perhaps alone, or simply overwhelmed by the events unfolding around us. However, it’s important to remember that these difficult moments CAN also be opportunities to grow, learn, and develop our inner strength.

I say “can” because some people choose to be bitter instead of growing and learning. We do have a choice. Some Christians just get angry about what is challenging their joy. Look, I’m so tired of the weak theology (rooted in carnal insecurity) that leads us to believe we “speak away” our problems. No, read your Bible. Sometimes, hardships are tools of the Lord to bring about His will.

Anyway, it may seem like the road ahead is dark and hopeless right now. But it’s important to maintain faith that there is light at the end of the tunnel. That light is Jesus, and the Bible verses about hard times you’ll find at the end of this post.

Keep your faith strong. Stand in the knowledge that God is at work and has a good plan. Meditate on these Bible verses about hard times – ponder them. Journal them. Let them seep deep into your spirit.

You simply must be able to turn to God and the Bible verses about hard times in the Bible to get the strength and slow drip of power you need to make it through.

His Word (i.e., those Bible verses) is one way He can communicate His comfort to you, like a spiritual walkie-talkie. He will whisper personal, relevant messages to your spirit. He can also use people to help you; the best people will share Bible verses about hard times to encourage you.

He cares, and He wants to help you.  Why? Because He loves you.

We all know we deserve nothing from God.  He owes us nothing yet gives us all things.

His will is always going to be done anyway because He’s sovereign. I don’t think every prayer requires “if it’s your will” just go ahead and ask, seek, and knock. That’s what you do instead of worrying and stressing in hard times. Come boldly because of Jesus and drown yourself in His Word and promises.

God knows your heart, and He also wants you to be happy when it is for your good.  Ask Him for what you want. Then, trust that you’ll get it if you need it.

Hard times Bible verses

Solutions to get through a hard time.

I so love solutions. Here are a few that can help you get through this season, in addition to the Bible verses about hard times.

  1. Acknowledge Your Feelings: Recognizing and accepting your emotions, even if they are painful or uncomfortable, is essential. No faking allowed. Suppressing them can make the situation more challenging to deal with.

  2. Seek Support: Reach out to friends, family members, or a Christian therapist. Click here to visit Psychology Today to find one near you. Sharing your feelings and experiences with someone you trust can provide emotional support and different perspectives.

  3. Self-Care: Oh I love this one. Prioritize self-care activities like exercise, Christian meditation, deep breathing, and maintaining a healthy diet. Taking care of your physical and mental health is crucial during hard times.

  4. Set Small Goals: Break down your challenges into smaller, manageable tasks. Achieving these smaller goals can give you a sense of accomplishment and control.

  5. Maintain a Routine: Try to stick to a daily routine as much as possible. Structure and predictability can provide a sense of stability in uncertain times.

  6. Stay Positive: Practice gratitude and focus on the positive aspects of your life, even when faced with difficulties. Maintaining a positive outlook can improve your resilience.

  7. Learn from the Experience: Look for opportunities to grow and learn from your difficult situation. Consider what lessons or insights you can gain. If you don’t know, ask a friend.

  8. Lean on Your Christian Faith: Continue to attend church. Read your Bible daily. Pray and turn to the Lord. He will help you.

  9. Limit Exposure to Stressors: If possible, reduce exposure to sources of stress and negativity, such as news or social media (especially Facebook!), during particularly challenging times.

  10. Memorize the scriptures below. Not all of them, of course. But memorize one of the Bible verses about hard times a week until the word is hidden in your heart. God’s word is powerful and really does help us.

    To memorize a scripture, start by breaking it into into smaller, manageable chunks.

    Repetition is key, so review the information regularly.

    Create associations or mnemonic devices to help you remember complex concepts. This never works for me, but you can try it. It works for other things (like schoolwork), but not scripture, for some reason. That’s just me.

    Engage different senses while studying, such as reading aloud, writing, or even teaching the material to someone else.

    Spaced repetition, where you review the material over increasing intervals of time, can enhance retention.

    Lastly, ensure you’re well-rested and manage stress, as a healthy mind and body are more receptive to scripture memorization.

Remember that hard times are a part of life, and while they may be difficult to endure, they can also lead to personal growth and resilience. It’s okay to ask for help, practice self-compassion, and take one step at a time as you navigate through tough times.

Here are some great Bible verses about hard times:

These will encourage you.

Psalm 34:17 (NIV) – “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”

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.”

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV) – “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.”

Psalm 46:1 (NIV) – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Matthew 11:28 (NIV) – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Romans 8:28 (NIV) – “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.”

Psalm 23:4 (NIV) – “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) – “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”

What is a good Bible verse for someone going through a hard time?

Isaiah 43:2 (NIV) – “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Remember, Christian Sister, your struggle may not be because God is angry. No. But, if He was, here is some great news! GodsyGirl.com loves good news!

Psalm 30:5 (NIV) – “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”

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.”

Here is what God says about difficult times. These scriptures capture it beautifully! Girl, they are perfect Bible verses about hard times!

James 1:2-4 (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.”

Psalm 9:9 (NIV) – “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”

Psalm 55:22 (NIV) – “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) – “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Romans 15:13 (NIV) – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) – “Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Joshua 1:9 (NIV) – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 119:50 (NIV) – “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”

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.”

Bible verses about hard times

Romans 12:12 (NIV) – “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

What is a Bible verse for strength? In short, commit, keep your mind steady, and let Him light things up for you. Check out these Bible verses about hard times that tell you exactly what to do:

Psalm 37:5 (NIV) – “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.”

Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.”

Psalm 119:105 (NIV) – “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Romans 5:3-4 (NIV) – “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

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.”

Psalm 62:8 (NIV) – “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV) – “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Psalm 46:10 (NIV) – “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'”

Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Psalm 91:4 (NIV) – “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings, you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

What is the most uplifting Bible verse?
I can’t choose between these next few scriptures.

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Psalm 34:18 (NIV) – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Matthew 6:34 (NIV) – “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Amen, Godsy Girl?  Thank you for taking the time out of your life to read these Bible verses about hard times. I hope they encourage you, and I hope you’ll post them somewhere so you can revisit them often.

I love you, and I pray this season passes soon and you share the testimony, and these Bible verses about hard times with someone who may need to see them.

P.S.  I used Bible Gateway to look up Bible verses for hard times and other times, in general.

GREAT scriptures for hard times.