37 Amazing Bible Verses About Strength in Hard Times
Table of Contents
We all face moments of weakness and fear in life—more often than most of us are willing to admit. Thankfully, we can always turn to God when we need strength, courage, and reassurance.
The bible is a powerful source of strength that we can draw from at any given moment. By simply remembering God’s word, we can find comfort in hard times, as well as the courage we need to overcome temptation, self-doubt, and hardship.
While God is always with us and watching us, we tend to forget of His presence—as well as the plan He has in place for us all.
Make a note of them, remember them, and recite them whenever you need God’s strength, love, encouragement, and support.
1) Proverbs 18:10
“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
This is a wonderful verse that reminds us that simply remembering and saying God’s name out loud is a source of strength; it is an impenetrable, sheltering tower that we can always take refuge in.
2) Isaiah 41:10
“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 hand.”
This verse is God Himself speaking to us through Isaiah. Here, God tells us that He is with us always, that He is ours, and that He will strengthen and help us. His righteous hand will support us at all times, as long as we serve Him and continue to turn to Him.
3) 1 Chronicles 16:11
“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
This is a simple verse from Chronicles that reminds us to always look to the Lord and remember His face. We should always go to Him always when we are troubled or afraid, where even by envisioning Him, we can find strength in any difficult moment.
4) Psalm 34:17
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”
The Lord protects and looks after the righteous. Therefore, as long as we keep God in our hearts and do right by Him, we have nothing to fear. He will remove our troubles and problems, but we must be patient, keep the faith, and trust in Him.
5) Isaiah 30:15
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”
This inspiring verse from Isaiah tells us that our strength will come from quietness and trust in the Lord. In other words, we should not complain or doubt in God’s plan. By simply trusting in God completely, we shall find and receive strength in abundance.
6) Isaiah 45:5
“I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me.”
Another powerful verse from Isaiah in which God is speaking to us directly. This verse expresses God’s love for us all, that even for those of us who forget to acknowledge Him – or do not acknowledge Him at all – He is willing to strengthen us when we need it.
7) Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
We should never be apprehensive or hesitant to seek strength and comfort in God. In fact, God welcomes our anxieties, problems, and fears with a listening ear. Through prayer, we can confide in Him and request courage from Him in any situation.
8) Psalm 34:4
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
This short Psalm is important to remember in times when we find ourselves doubting in the Lord. We need to always remember that He will answer us and deliver us from all our fears as long as we seek Him and turn to Him.
9) Joshua 1:9
“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.”
This verse from Joshua is especially powerful. Through Joshua, God himself is telling us to be strong and courageous, and to not be afraid or discouraged. Why? Because He is with us, watching over us and protecting us, wherever we go.
10) 1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Even when we are anxious, God is there for us. He welcomes and listens to our anxieties and problems as long as we open ourselves up to Him. He cares for all of us, and therefore we can trust in Him to remove our anxieties and fears.
11) 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.”
Here is a powerful verse from Isaiah that we can recite in times of fear and weakness. Not only is the Lord our daily strength and defense, but our ultimate salvation. Therefore, what do we have to fear?
12) Psalm 138:3
“When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.”
We should never forget that God hears and answers all of our prayers, no matter who we are. And for that reason, we should never be afraid or hesitant to call out to Him. He will embolden us—all it requires is that we reach out and open our hearts to Him.
13) Psalm 16:8
“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
With the Lord in mind in everything that we do, we shall never be shaken by fear, anxiety, or any hurdles that lie in our path. He is at our right hand always, standing beside us, and we can receive strength by simply remembering that.
14) Isaiah 40:29
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
This short but encouraging verse from Isaiah tells us that there is no shame in being weary or weak. When we are feeling weak and weary, God is still there to give us strength and power. In fact, it is when we are weak and weary that God is most present.
15) Exodus 15:2
“The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 12:2 refers to this verse from Exodus, where we are first told that the Lord is both a source of strength and a form of defense. Sometimes, we can also look to important figures in the bible, such as Moses, and find inspiration and courage in their acts of strength.
16) Habakkuk 3:19
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes me feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.”
No matter how high we have to climb, or how impossible it might seem to overcome our fear or a certain problem, the Lord will enable us and equip us with the strength we need to climb any high or low mountain.
17) Psalm 9:9
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”
Once again, we must always remember that the Lord is our refuge. Just like a sheltering tree, or a fortified bunker, the Lord welcomes the oppressed, the weak, and the afraid to take shelter in his arms in all times of trouble.
18) Psalm 28:7
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.”
We can liken the Lord to a shield on our arm, a shield that becomes more invincible with the more that we trust in Him. But not only is the Lord our shield from danger and harm, but a source of strength that we can harness in times of need.
19) Psalm 27:1
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”
This popular verse from Psalms is a simple but powerful reminder that we have nothing to fear if we just remember that the Lord is our light and stronghold. He will provide us with the strength to face enemies, bullies, and those who intimidate us, as well as resist temptations.
20) Proverbs 3:5-6
“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.”
It is by trusting in the Lord that we are given strength and courage. We must remember this at all times, as well as submit and open ourselves to the Lord. By doing this, we can always be sure that we are on the right path, with nothing to fear ahead.
21) John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
If we are at peace, we are strong. But we should not seek peace in worldly, material things; it is the Lord who will provide us true peace and strength through faith and trust. We have no reason to let our hearts be troubled if we keep faith in Him.
22) Psalm 18:32
“It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.”
When we feel strong, it is always because of God. Similarly, when we feel confident in the path ahead, it is also because of God. This wonderful Psalm encapsulates the strength God gives us and highlights the plan He has for us all.
23) Romans 13:15
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
The Holy Spirit is always present—especially in our moments of fear, weakness, and danger. By trusting in God, we can not only receive His strength, but also joy and peace in abundance. To be at peace, to feel joy, is to also be strong through God.
24) Nehemiah 8:10
“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Through the prophet Nehemiah, God tells us directly to go and enjoy life without fear or worry, because He has taken care of everything—including the strength we need in times of hardship. We are joyful of the strength God gives us, as well as strong through joy.
25) Psalm 73:26
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
This beautiful Psalm tells us that no matter what happens to our physical bodies, God is the strength of both our heart and soul—even into the afterlife. We need not fear what happens to us physically, as long as we give our hearts and souls over to Him.
26) Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
This very memorable verse from Philippians is perfect for reciting in moments of weakness and fear. There is nothing we cannot do as long as we do it through God, for He will provide us with strength and courage in exchange for our faith and trust.
27) 2 Corinthians 12:10
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
We should not fear weakness, insults, hardships, or difficulties. In fact, we should feel delight in these moments, for God is ever more present when we are weak. Always remember that to be weak is to also be strong through God.
28) 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”
To stand firm in faith is to always be on guard against danger, temptations, and feelings of doubt. By simply putting our faith in the Lord, we are courageous and strong. We are also reminded in this verse that to do everything in love, just like Jesus did, is to show unwavering courage.
29) Ephesians 16:10
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
Above all else, our faith in the Lord and his power should be kept strong so that we can also be strong. There is no limit to God’s power, and therefore there should be no limit to our strength in moments of weakness and fear.
30) Jeremiah 28:11-12
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.’”
God listens to us despite the plans He has already made for us all. His plan is for all of us to prosper and avoid harm, so we should never give in to feelings of fear or doubt. We are not perfect, however, so God welcomes us when we need someone who will listen.
31) 2 Timothy 1:7
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
This verse from 2 Timothy reminds us of the Spirit that God imbued in all of us. It gives us power and self-discipline. Therefore, when we are feeling strong, it is a sign that the Spirit is present in us. We can always strengthen His Spirit through faith and trust.
32) Psalm 18:1-2
“I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
This is another wonderful Psalm for reciting in times of hardship. This verse details how the Lord our God is a rock, a fortress, a shield, and a stronghold. He is there to protect us, ward off evil, and prevent any harm to us if we simply take shelter in His arms.
33) Psalm 18:31
“For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?”
This Psalm reminds us that there is no other God, so we should never have any doubt in putting our full faith in Him when we need strength and encouragement. He is our rock, whom we can rely on to keep us stable, faithful, and afloat.
34) Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave or forsake you.”
In everyday life, we can go forth with complete courage and strength because the Lord our God goes with us, no matter what it is we have to face. He will also never leave or forsake us, leaving us no reason to be afraid or terrified of what’s ahead.
35) Isaiah 40:31
“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.”
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Here we are reminded that no matter how afraid we are, or how big a problem we face, God is both a refuge and a source of strength. Even if everything seems to be falling to pieces around us, God is ever-present to help us when we are in trouble.
37) Deuteronomy 20:4
“For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
The Lord our God is our sword, shield, and ally in any battle we have to face on a daily basis. He will provide us strength, fight with us, and give us the final victory, as long as we trust in Him and give Him the glory.
Conclusion
God is always with us to give us strength, encouragement, and support—we just have to turn to Him, open up to Him, and put our full faith and trust in Him and the individual plans He has laid out for all of us.
The bible and the word of God Himself is a powerful source of strength that we can draw from at any time when we need His help. These verses teach us to seek God and trust in him, and in exchange he will equip us with the strength and courage to face anything.
Make sure to make a mental note of the bible verses about strength that we listed above, so that through God you can avoid fear, temptations, harm, and doubt. It is always through Him that we can, and do, find the strength to persevere through hard times!
