Life situation
Bible verses for difficult times
Last reviewed
This is the broadest page on the site, and for that reason it may not be the most useful one. If your difficulty has a name — bereavement, illness, money, a relationship ending — the specific pages linked below will serve you better.
What is collected here are passages that have been read across a very wide range of hard situations, chosen because they do not depend on the difficulty being of one particular kind.
None of them claims that hardship is deserved, or that it carries a lesson you are obliged to find.
11 passages
Each shows its reference and translation, and links to the chapter it comes from.
1For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas; 3though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burnt, and flame will not scorch you.
17The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. 19Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
8We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; 9pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.
2Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
1A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? 2My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
The LORD himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged.”
But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
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.
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible British Edition, which is in the public domain. “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org.