Have you ever been discouraged? Have you ever felt helpless? How many times have you asked God why? Silly questions, right? Life is full of highs and lows, and if we are totally honest the two don’t always strike a perfect balance. Certain seasons of life even lend themselves to more discouragement and sadness than happiness and peace. The good news is that God’s Word contains a wealth of encouragement, and in our valleys, we need not look any further. It goes without saying but, salvation is the greatest gift God has given us and without it all hope is lost. However, a close second to salvation is the eternal promises in the Bible that bring us joy and peace during life’s toughest seasons. Within the following article, you will specifically find 10 of the numerous verses to turn to during your greatest time of need.
Bible Verses about Encouragement and Hope from Paul to Early Believers
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. ... 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. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. | 1 Peter 5:7, 10-11
Our God is a graceful God, full of mercy and love. He promises us that the suffering we endure is only for a season and it has a purpose. He desires to hear from us and he wants to carry our burdens for us.
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 8:18
Because we are saved, we will spend eternity in the very presence of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The suffering in this sinful world will never compare to His glory and the eternal joy and peace in store for us.
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. | 2 Corinthians 12:9
God’s grace is sufficient, period. Paul says he would rather glory or revel in his infirmities and allow the power of Jesus Christ’s love to shine in Him than to ultimately be healed of those infirmities. Can we say the same?
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. | Romans 15:13
Don’t forget, our hope is not in the things of this world (thankfully so), it’s in the power of the Holy Spirit. A promise to His children that we can abound in hope and not fear.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. | Romans 8:28
God didn’t promise that all things are good but that ultimately all things work together for good and specifically to those who love Him and are serving His purpose. It also doesn’t mean that bad things don’t happen to us but that in the end, He has our best interests!
The Psalms
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. | Psalm 121
The Psalms are such an encouragement. The Lord will preserve us, even when we feel like we are down to our last ounce of strength. He knows and he will provide.
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. … O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalm 34:4, 8
David feared for his life, to the point that he had to pretend to be mad before the Philistines, yet God saved him and by all accounts, took away all of his fears. All of them! The trust that this gained in David of his Savior was so real to him that he tasted it. God’s love was tangible in David’s life and is encouraging us even to taste it for ourselves. God is so good!
Other Bible Verses about Encouragement and Hope from the Old Testament
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Isaiah 40:28-29
Where have you been? Did you not know that the Creator never faints or fails? He doesn’t grow tired or weary, and in our weakest moments, His strengths are sufficient for our needs. Now you know!!
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9
Simply put, you have nothing to fear because the Almighty God of the universe never leaves His children!
Jesus, Our Encouragement and Hope
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
God promises that even though we live in this sinful and wicked world, He has overcome it. This world is not our eternal home. We are here for a season. Be encouraged that the trials of this world are only temporary!
As the book of John tells us in chapter 14 verse 26, the Holy Spirit is our comforter and He’s a very present help in time of trouble. The promise of comfort is one of the greatest that God has given us and we should never take it for granted. What’s keeping you from clinging to this promise? Don’t let yourself dwell on the discouragement that life has to offer. Rest in the peace of God and allow Him to comfort you as He promised He would. If you have never experienced this peace of God or don’t know Him as your personal Savior, let us introduce you to Him!
