Do you ever find yourself carrying your own burdens, knocked down and struggling to get through life? If your answer is yes, then there are many powerful prayers and verses that you can use when you feel like your strength is being depleted.
Here are a few of those uplifting verses that will help you ride out your storm.
What does the Bible say about having strength during hard times?
Unfortunately, as Christians, we weren’t promised an easy life, or that it would be a bed of roses; somewhere along the line, those roses will sprout many thorns.
Also, there are a few characters in the Bible who had their fair share of ups and downs, and like them, we are encouraged to look to God in our times of trouble.
And even when you feel confused and question whether you should stay in the valley of darkness you are in or find the strength to climb over, the Word of God says to be of good courage, and remember the battle you are facing right now is not yours but the Lord’s.
Bible Verses for Strength in Difficult Times
1 Chronicles 16:11 “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
In light of the upheavals we are all facing around the world, the viruses, and wars, the Bible urges us to look to God. And that whether we are in our happiest moment or our worst, we should seek His face always.
Not relying solely on our own strength but on God’s, for in Him there is peace and fullness of joy.
Psalms 68:35 “You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!”
Because of the unfailing love of God for His children, He promises to give them strength. And that once we live by faith, and abide in His Word, we can always tap into the power that comes from God.
That is why we read of many biblical characters, for Christ’s sake, delighted in their weakness and persecution because they knew where their strength came from. And like them, God is in control of our lives, and with Him, victory is already ours.
Exodus 15:2 “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”
The God who delivered the Israelites from the hands of Pharaoh, and had strengthened many others before you, is the same God who will be at your defense and present help in your time of need.
And even in the midst of our trials, it is humbling to know that there is grace and salvation in His presence (Psalm 118:14).
Habakkuk 3:19 “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.”
Habakkuk, in this prayer, was declaring that his strength did not come from lifting weights or big muscles, instead, it came from the Lord God.
While we may rely on our physical strength if need be, that won’t help us when faced with spiritual forces. And so we are encouraged to seek strength in God’s power so that we too can, like a deer, run this Christian race with an unwavering heart.
Proverbs 31:25 “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
This paints a perfect picture of both women and men who trust in the Lord. The Bible says we are clothed with the strength and dignity we need to face life’s challenges.
As men and women of God, we are to immerse in the Word of God, so that we can smile at the troubles we are facing now or in the days to come.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
In this verse, Paul was telling us how marvelous the grace of God is. The Bible says that He is the author and finisher of our faith, and that under His blood we are safe from those that want to see us fall.
In verse 13, we see again where Paul was encouraging the Thessalonians not to give up when faced with adversities because the Lord will make a way even when there seems to be nowhere out.
And like the saying goes “When God pushes you off the edge, He will either catch you when you fall, or teach you how to fly.”
2 Timothy 4:17 “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.”
When Paul was sharing the gospel of Jesus, he could do it confidently, reflecting on Daniel’s victory in the lion’s den, knowing that the Lord will be at his side too. And he knew that even if he was suffering for Christ’s sake, it would be worth it in the end.
Paul is also assuring you that you will have a cross to bear, but you will never be carrying it alone. And knowing that when you’re on assignment for the Lord, you will be tested, but know that these blocks are just a testing of your faith, and will one day turn your test into your testimony.
Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
Here we can see David joyfully singing to the Lord, thanking God for being his source of strength and his shield and buckler against the attacks of the enemy.
David wants you to know that once we put on the full armor of God, you too can rejoice in the fact that in Him there is protection from the snare of the world, and a rock in whom you should take refuge.
Isaiah 40:29 “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
In spite of how many times we fall, God is willing and able to lift us up from the situations that hold us down. He will use our weakness as our greatest strength because even when our hearts fail, He will be our strength.
So let us invite God into our lives today, He will give beauty for ashes and strength to the weak.
Psalm 59:9 “You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress.”
The Bible said that they that wait upon the Lord, He shall renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31). When David slew Goliath, he wasn’t counting on his own strength, but He called unto the Lord who was the stronghold of his life.
And like Him, we are to build our foundation on God’s strength so that we too can slay the giants in our lives.
Isaiah 41:10 “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.”
When the trials of life are staring us in the face, the Bible encourages us to stand firm on Jesus our rock. The omnipresent, omnipotent God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and a refuge and strength in times of need.
So while there will be many difficult circumstances to get through, God is reminding us not to give up. His strength is readily available when you need it, all you have to do is press on, push on and hold on to the righteous right hand of God.
Bible Verses For Courage in Hard Times
Joshua 1:9 “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.”
The Bible says “Young men I call upon you because you are strong (1 John 2:14).” This not only goes for the men, but it also for the women of God. It encourages us, especially in times like this when if it’s not one thing it’s another, to be strong and of good courage for the Lord will always be by your side (Deuteronomy 31:6).
And like the quote says “Courage is not the absence of fear, but it is finding courage and strength to overcome those fears.”
1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
David encouraged his son Solomon to be strong and courageous, and not to be discouraged because the son of God will not fail to be there for him. He told him that God had a purpose for his life and until that is fulfilled, he will never forsake him (1 Chronicle 28:20).
Take this message for yourself too, be on your guard, be strong, and keep contending for the faith.
Psalm 138:3 “On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.”
This serves as one of the best Bible verses where it shows David praising God for answering his plea. This is also a great reminder that He sees our tears, and knows our pain, and that even if He’s four days late, He (Jehovah Shammah) will be there in the nick of time to lift you when you fall and heal your broken heart.
God is just waiting on you to call on him so that He can inject you with His immaculate strength.
2 Chronicles 15:7 “But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”
In a major exam, in order to be rewarded with a good result, you have to study. And so once you continuously study God’s Word and allow Him to use you in your purpose, nothing you do for Him will be overlooked or unrewarded.
So whatever good work you are doing for the Lord, be steadfast, so that in the end, we can hear “well done good and faithful servant.”
1 Peter 4:11 “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever.”
The Bible said when you are talking, you should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. You should also do so with a godly mindset, and with the courage and strength that God provides, so that in all things He may be glorified (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
Daniel 10:19 “And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
David was seen here feeling helpless, alone, and having no strength left. But then he heard a voice telling him that he was favored from the very day he humbled himself before God. He was strengthened right there and then.
And so if you find yourself in a similar state, you are encouraged to stay strong for the joy of the Lord is always with you.
It is not easy to face what is happening around the world today, and maybe you can’t even find the strength to pray anymore. But there is peace in knowing that your season of deliverance is coming. Just leave all your troubles in God’s hands and watch Him work it out for you.
Philippians 1:20 “As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Regardless of whatever Paul was facing, he had a made-up mind that he would deny self and live to serve God, no matter the cost. He stood firm in his faith in God and encouraged himself daily, knowing that even if the end looks like death, he trusted that God’s purpose for his life must be fulfilled.
Bible Verses for Comfort and Strength
Psalms 119:50 “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.
These poetic words of comfort are for every believer who feels afflicted and can’t find the strength to continue. Just know that you have a pilot that can take you through the turbulence in your life and direct all your flights through life.
You should also know that when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. And He promises us that He will not leave us comfortless (John 14:16).
So let us take comfort in knowing that He will fulfill every promise spoken in both The Old and New Testament. So find your strength in His Word, and let it give you life.
Psalms 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Truth is, these feelings are not foreign to any of us, but it does not mean we should let it be our downfall. When David said these words, he was speaking with the authority he was given, and took comfort in knowing even in the darkest valley, God will be his light.
Isaiah 43:2 “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.
This verse of encouragement is for when you feel like God doesn’t care about you, or that your prayers are only touching the ceiling, just remember the fourth man who stood in the fire with those three Hebrew men.
You will inevitably face various trials, some worse than the other, but God wants you to know that He will never forsake you (Hebrew 13:5). And when you are going through your Red Sea, He will take you through it and destroy those who seek to destroy you.
Just know that you serve a God who never loses and even if your trials are turned up seven times hotter, you will never be defeated.
Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”
When we are rooted and grounded in the name of the Lord, chains can be broken, mountains can be moved, and in His Word, we can find the power to overcome our weaknesses.
Just remember that no matter how deep you are in your tomb of disappointments, He will give you the strength to climb out, for victory shall be yours. Once you abide under the shadow of the almighty, there is a place to run to for help. There is always a hiding place in Christ Jesus, your personal Lord, and Savior.
Conclusion
Yes, tough times will come, and there will be days when your back is against the wall, but don’t be afraid friends, stay strong, find your courage in the Lord, and everything will be all right!
