Hi friends,
I’m working on a devotional for James 1:2-4,
Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
I wanted to reach out and ask what verses you turn to when you go through difficult times… Which ones do you read, and how do they help you?
There are some really powerful verses that God has used to calm my anxiety, give me strength to persevere, and to bring hope when I wasn’t feeling any. So, I’m hopeful they’ll bring life, joy, and hope to others as well! I’m excited to hear verses and stories of encouragement from others as well!
The number 1 passage I’ve gone back to time and time again is Lamentations 3:21-24. It has given me so much hope in the worst of my pain.
21 But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
Verse 21 is a powerful reminder that I have to purposefully choose to look toward God and remember His goodness in the middle of my hardship and suffering. No matter what is going on in my life, I have the Lord, who is greater than anything else I could desire, and He is faithful through anything I face! If the author of Lamentations can find hope in God surrounded by the atrocities of war, famine, and destruction, I can find it in my life.
One verse that has helped me turn my mind to God when I am becoming overwhelmed is Isaiah 12:2.
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.
It is a nice shorter verse that I have memorized and can pray in a few breaths. Repeating it while breathing deeply has helped me to slow down, remember God’s provision and salvation in Christ, and hold on to Him as my strength and salvation. So, when my trust starts to fail or my fear starts to rise, I’ll often use this verse to calm myself and remind myself to turn my trust to the God who has saved me.
When life and circumstances are overwhelming, Joshua 1:9 gives me the strength and courage to keep going.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Even though this was spoken to Joshua under specific circumstances, Jesus promises to those who follow Him in Matthew 28:20 that He will be with them always and Hebrews 13:5-6 likewise confirms that, as the Lord never abandoned Joshua, so he will never abandon us. So, through whatever trials I face, I can take comfort from God’s presence and rely on His strength and His goodness. Though circumstances may be far beyond my power, they are never beyond His. He is with me and working all things for my good (Rom 8:28).
Finally, the reminder of our future hope and glory in Romans 8:18 has brought such hope!
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Our suffering is passing and temporary, but the far greater glory to come will last forever! Everything will be set right and we will dwell with God forever, definitely a hope worth waiting and enduring for!
Through many hard and painful circumstances, these verses have been truths to hold onto, reminding me of the goodness of God, His strength, His faithfulness, as well as His presence with me and His working through it all!
Hey @blake, thank you for sharing these verses. It encouraged my heart to read them and hear what they’ve meant to you.
It reminded me of a simple, one-sentence prayer I often pray:
God is with me and God is loving me.
Hey @blake,
Thanks for sharing these verses that have helped you in the past.
I was quite touched to read Lamentations 3:22 ESV in your post. I needed to hear that. As I have been studying deeply about how to love God and others from the book of Mark, I realized it has not been easy for me to rest in God’s love in all my years of trying to be a faithful Christian and was feeling discouraged by it. Your words were just in time for me. It also reminded me of the promise we have about God’s love in Romans 8:38-39.