45 Powerful Bible verses and Songs for encouragement during hard times

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Sometimes in our Christian walk, we become discouraged. God gives us several Bible verses to encourage us during our hard times.

Don’t you just love a new year and the excitement of new possibilities? Do you feel encouraged by the idea of a fresh start?

God has given us many Bible verses for encouragement in hard times.

Sometimes in our Christian walk, we become discouraged. We want to be spirit-filled Christians who walk daily with God and encourage others. We’d like to offer war room prayers for our family.

Woman praying over Bible for post 45 Powerful Bible Verses and Songs for Encouragement During Hard Times

Why do we need encouragement?

Life has a way of knocking us down. Disappointments and what seem like unanswered prayers leave us feeling discouraged.

The enemy wants us to believe God does not hear our prayers, does not care about what we are going through, and will not answer our prayers.

The good news is that God has provided us with everything we need to walk through the valleys and triumph!

Priscilla Shirer says in her book Fervent “The enemy might keep coming, but he won’t have victory anymore.” “Because it all starts failing when we start praying.”

God has given us His armor, and when we determine within our souls to use this armor, nothing can defeat us!

Carmen has a song called “Fear Not My Child.” Some of the lyrics are

“”Fear not my child,

 I’m with you always,

I feel every pain,

 And every tear I see.”

“Fear not my child,

I’m with you always,

I know how to care,

For what belongs to me.”

Oh, how I love that! We can be encouraged that when we belong to God, as Christians, God not only knows how to care for what belongs to Him, but He also cares for us.

Bible verses for encouragement and strength help us trust God. I believe that is one reason God gave us so many stories of people in the Bible who went through hard times.

We need these Bible verses to give us hope during our hard times. When we read about people in the Bible who faced difficult situations, we can have hope because we know God does not change. If He worked on their problems, He will also work on ours.

There are times in our lives when we don’t know how to pray. We feel lost like there is a distance between God and us. It seems our prayers are hitting the ceiling and falling back to the floor.

In those times, it is so essential for us to put on our armor. The enemy loves it when we are discouraged.

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Learn more about the Armor of God Prayer Journal here

In fact, it is one of his best-used tactics. When we are discouraged, we are more likely to believe his lies that God is not listening to our prayers.

Once he gets us to believe this, we quit praying. When we quit standing on our faith and stop praying, we are no longer a threat to him.

This should light a fire deep within you and make you madder than a wet hen with righteous indignation.

Once I quit feeling sorry for myself and realize what is going on (because, yes, sometimes I’m a slow learner and have a pity party), I just get plain mad.

Over the years, I have learned to rely on specific Bible verses for encouragement.

These Bible verses encourage me and have helped me trust God during hard times and heartbreak.

If I can trust God to save my soul from hell, I can trust Him with anything.

And if I really believe the Bible is true, then I have to believe God keeps His word and that His character is trustworthy. Acknowledging this allows me to trust God in hard times.

What is the most comforting scripture?

This is such a hard question to answer because there are so many scriptures that provide us with comfort.

The Bible is God’s love letter to us and a manual for how to live our lives.

These are two verses I love that brings me comfort and encouragement when I am going through a hard time.

"For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Fon't be afraid, for I am with you. don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10 NLT
"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 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. 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. Romans 8:37-38 NLT

What is the most encouraging Psalm in the Bible?

David, who wrote most of the Psalms had an amazing life. He started out as a shepherd boy no one really paid attention to, and became one of the most well-known characters in the Bible.

Despite his mistakes, he is known as “a man after God’s own heart”. What a compliment! He is also proof that no matter what our mistakes are or what our past is like, God can and will bless and use us when we are available to Him.

I love Psalms and often encourage people to read Psalms when they are not sure where to start reading the Bible or when they are discouraged.

David struggled with depression, and his life was really a rollercoaster of emotions and being close to God, and feeling far from God.

I think most of us can relate to David. I know I can. Here are a few encouraging verses from Psalms.

"I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me." Psalm 16:8 NLT
"I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies." Psalm 18:1-3
"The Lord is close tothe brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed." Psalm 34:18 NLT

BIBLE VERSES FOR ENCOURAGEMENT

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

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. Joshua 1:9

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

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. John 16:33

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. Psalm 23:4

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7

I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass. Isaiah 51:12

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. Isaiah 40:31

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. Isaiah 41:10

The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Psalm 118:14

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:11

The Lord is my light and my salvation – who shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

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. Proverbs 3:5-6

I can do all things through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2

I know the Lord is always with me, I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. Psalm 16:8

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed but not driven to despair. We are hunted down but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:8–10

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take delight in you with gladness, With his love he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good, At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9

But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O Lord, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat. Isaiah 25:4

He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. Isaiah 25:8

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. Isaiah 26:3-4

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:1-2

The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. Romans 8:26-27

And we KNOW that God causes EVERYTHING (not just some things), EVERYTHING, to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28-30 (emphasis mine, because seriously, this makes me want to shout it from the rooftops!)

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? No one – for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Romans 8:31, 34

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:35-37

Ok, this is my all-time favorite! If nothing else you have read today encourages you, this will!

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. 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. Romans 8:38–39

Isn’t that amazing?! Nothing, no one, at any time or place, will ever be able to separate you from God’s love!

Girl, I know how long the night can be. I know how hard the road is and how heavy the burden of your heart makes you feel like you can’t breathe.

But I also know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God is with you!

Even when you feel completely alone, forgotten, and abandoned, you are not. Because the One who created you never sleeps or slumbers. He never forsakes us.

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Christian songs for encouragement during challenging times

  • You Will Be Found – Natalie Grant and Cory Asbury
  • Desert Road – Casting Crowns
  • Don’t Lose Heart – Steven Curtis Chapman
  • I Speak Jesus – Charity Gayle
  • Too Good To Not Believe – Cody Carnes and Brandon Lake
  • God Is In This Story – Katy Nichole and Big Daddy Weave
  • I Cry Jesus – Ryan Stevenson
  • The Healing – Blanca & Dante Bowe
  • Things That I’m Afraid Of – Josh Wilson
  • Surrounded (Fight My Battles) – Michael W. Smith
  • See Me Through It – Brandon Heath
  • Me On Your Mind – Matthew West
  • Hold Me Jesus – Big Daddy Weave
  • In Jesus’ Name – Katy Nichole
  • Bring The Rain – MercyMe
  • Woman At The Well – Olivia Lane
  • Just Say Jesus – 7eventh Time Down
  • My God Is Still The Same – Sanctus Real
  • Bright Side Of Broken – MercyMe
  • See A Victory – Elevation Worship

Our Father holds us in his hand. He hides us beneath the shelter of his wings. He is our rock, fortress, refuge, and strong and mighty tower.

We can run to him any time and be safe.

You know exactly what I am talking about if you have children or grandchildren. And honestly, I did not understand God’s love for me until I had my own children.

As moms, we love our children more than we love life itself. There is nothing we would not do to keep our children safe.

But we must discipline them for them to learn some lessons. We must sometimes allow them to walk the hard road because of their choices.

The same is true for God. He is our loving Father who will never leave us, but sometimes he allows hard things in our lives. It does not make him happy to see us cry.

That’s why he catches every tear. He hears every prayer and uses our hard times to make us more like Christ.

He works everything together for our good. We only see this moment in time. God sees the big picture.

He creates beauty from our ashes, and he weaves the good and bad times through the tapestry of our lives to create a masterpiece if we let him.

I may not know precisely what you are going through, but I know this: God is with you, He is for you, and He loves you with an everlasting love that will never fail.

He has written a love letter to you throughout the pages of the Bible. If you don’t have a Bible, please let me know, and I will get you one completely free, no strings attached.

Reading the Bible online is great, but there’s something special about holding the word of God in your hand and underlining, highlighting, and making notes.

Throughout the Bible, God encourages us that He is with us in our struggles and has given us what we need to persevere through our tough times.

No matter the circumstance, we can be sure that God is with us and loves us more than we could ever imagine.

Even if we don’t understand why certain things are happening in our lives, we can trust God’s plan for us and take comfort in knowing He has good plans for us and will never abandon us.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

be blessed in the battle karen signature

I hope you sign up for your free scripture cards of 45 Powerful Bible Verses For Encouragement During Hard Times. Remember, there are also blank cards to record your favorite verses.

Cut these out and take them with you, post them where you will see them, or share them with others!

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2 Comments

  1. Thank you for your heart felt hard work to help us Gods children through Jesus Christ our Savior to obtain valuable resources to know and do Gods Will for our Life here on earth through His words The Bible.

    Again, thank you and have a Blessed “Abundant Life” to the overflow John 10:10
    In Jesus Christ Holy Name Amen 🙏

    1. Thank you so much for the sweet comment! I often doubt myself and I am so thankful when God reassures me through the sweet ladies who read this. Have a blessed day!

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