Words of Encouragement
In a turbulent world, stress, pain and loss are everyday realities. For many, discouragement and disappointment become all too familiar, and it can be difficult to find an antidote.
The Bible offers many perspectives on the encouragement God provides. Here is a small selection of scriptures that may bring comfort when we feel “hard-pressed on every side” (2 Corinthians 4:8, New King James Version).
1.
“Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
(Genesis 18:14, NKJV)2.
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
(Psalm 9:9–10, New International Version)3.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
(Psalm 34:18, NIV)4.
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
(Psalm 121:1–2, NKJV)5.
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
(Psalm 136:1, NKJV)6.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
(Isaiah 26:3, NKJV)7.
“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, NIV)8.
“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.”
(Jeremiah 32:17, NKJV)9.
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.”
(Nahum 1:7, NKJV)10.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
(Matthew 6:25–26, NIV)11.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
(John 3:16–17, NKJV)12.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33, NKJV)13.
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
(1 Corinthians 2:9, NKJV)14.
“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.”
(1 Corinthians 10:13, NKJV)15.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
(2 Corinthians 1:3–4, NIV)16.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
(Philippians 4:13, NKJV)17.
“The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!”
(2 Timothy 4:18, NKJV)18.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
(Hebrews 4:15, NIV)19.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
(2 Peter 3:9, NIV)20.
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
(Revelation 21:3–4, English Standard Version)