Important Bible Verses for Difficult Times

This week I read Greg Laurie’s blog where he talked about strength in troubled times. He and his wife lost their son to a car accident not very long ago, so he knows what he’s talking about. He stresses that we need to get to know our Bible so that we are ready:

‘I urge you to get a good foundation in this Book, because it is only a matter of time until hardship strikes you. It happens in every life, without exception. But if you have a good foundation in the Word of God, then you will be ready for difficulty when it comes. Don’t wait until then to try and catch up.’

I was reflecting this week on what Christians most need to know when confronted with hard circumstances. Here are some of the truths and verses that I think are key to know and hold on to.

God loves you

The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Jer 31:3 

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Rom 8:32

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:35-39

God is with you

Yea, 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.  Psa 23:4 

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. Isaiah 43:1-2  

God will help and strengthen you

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isa 41:10 

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Psa 46:1-2

God has blessed us, so we should also accept hardship

And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. Job 1:21,22

Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” Job 2:10

God will not give you more than you can bear

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.  1Co 10:13 

God will work it out for good

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.   Rom 8:28 

Don’t worry – commit it to God

Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Psa 55:22 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Php 4:6,7

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:25,26

Nothing is too hard for God

  ‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You. Jer 32:17

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Eph 3:20 

One day there will be no more trouble

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Rev 21:4 

I think it is important that we know, understand and remind ourselves of these truths so that like Greg Laurie said, when trouble hits, we are ready for it.

I am sure I have missed some important ones out though, so please comment if you think of any!

Or do you have a verse that you could share that really helped you through a difficult time?