There are moments when human words simply aren’t enough. The encouragement from a friend that lands well but doesn’t quite reach the deepest part of the fear. The advice that is thoughtful and well-meaning and still somehow misses the specific weight of what you are carrying. Those are the moments when Scripture does something that nothing else can — when a verse written thousands of years ago by someone who needed God as badly as you do right now speaks so directly into your exact situation that the only honest response is to sit with it for a while and let it do its work.
That’s exactly what this collection of encouraging Bible verses is here to offer. You’ll find the best verses for anxiety and fear, grief and loss, exhaustion and burnout, seasons of waiting, moments of doubt, and the ordinary hard days that don’t have a dramatic name but still ask more of your faith than you feel like you have available. Read them slowly. Write the ones that stop you somewhere you will see them again. Return to them on the days when the world is loud and the truth feels harder to hold onto than usual. God’s word has never once failed the person who came to it honestly — and it is not going to start today.
JUMP TO:
When You’re Holding On by a Thread
- “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 right hand.” — Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
- “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
- “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” — 2 Corinthians 4:16–17 (NIV)
- “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
- “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” — James 1:2–4 (NIV)
- “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
- “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” — Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
- “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” — Romans 5:3–4 (NIV)
- “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” — Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
- “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:22–23 (NIV)
- “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” — 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
- “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” — Psalm 30:5 (NIV)
- “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.” — Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
- “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 (NIV)
- “The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” — 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)
- “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” — Psalm 40:1–2 (NIV)
When Doubt Creeps In and Faith Feels Far Away
- “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'” — Mark 9:24 (NIV)
- “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” — Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
- “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” — Romans 10:17 (NIV)
- “He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'” — Matthew 17:20 (NIV)
- “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” — Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
- “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.” — Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)
- “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” — Romans 4:20–21 (NIV)
- “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” — 1 John 5:4 (NIV)
- “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” — Ephesians 6:16 (NIV)
- “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” — Psalm 27:13–14 (NIV)
- “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” — Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
- “For we live by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)
- “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!'” — Luke 17:5 (NIV)
- “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” — 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
- “Be merciful to those who doubt.” — Jude 1:22 (NIV)
- “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.'” — John 20:27 (NIV)
God’s Promises Are Still Good — Even When Life Isn’t
- “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” — Numbers 23:19 (NIV)
- “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” — 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV)
- “‘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.'” — Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
- “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28 (NIV)
- “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” — Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
- “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” — Isaiah 55:11 (NIV)
- “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” — Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV)
- “Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” — Psalm 119:89 (NIV)
- “Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” — Joshua 21:45 (NIV)
- “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
- “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)
- “The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.” — Psalm 145:13 (NIV)
- “What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.” — Isaiah 46:11 (NIV)
- “In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.” — Titus 1:2 (ESV)
- “It is impossible for God to lie. We who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.” — Hebrews 6:18 (NIV)
- “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.” — Lamentations 3:25 (NIV)
- “Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.” — 1 Kings 8:56 (NIV)
You’re Not Fighting This Battle Alone
- “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 you nor forsake you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
- “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.” — Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
- “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” — Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
- “If God is for us, who can be against us?” — Romans 8:31 (NIV)
- “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” — Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
- “I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” — Psalm 121:1–2 (NIV)
- “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” — 2 Chronicles 20:15 (NIV)
- “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” — Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
- “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.” — Psalm 18:2 (NIV)
- “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'” — Hebrews 13:5–6 (NIV)
- “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” — Psalm 91:11 (NIV)
- “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” — Romans 8:37 (NIV)
- “The battle is the Lord’s.” — 1 Samuel 17:47 (NIV)
- “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
- “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.” — Isaiah 54:17 (NIV)
- “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.” — John 14:16 (NIV)
When You Need to Hear That God Hasn’t Forgotten You
- “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” — Isaiah 49:15–16 (NIV)
- “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” — Psalm 139:7–10 (NIV)
- “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” — Matthew 10:29–31 (NIV)
- “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” — Psalm 56:8 (NLT)
- “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.'” — Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)
- “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 8:38–39 (NIV)
- “For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.” — Psalm 94:14 (NIV)
- “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” — John 10:28–29 (NIV)
- “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” — Psalm 27:10 (NIV)
- “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” — Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)
- “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” — Nahum 1:7 (NIV)
- “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
- “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” — Psalm 139:1–3 (NIV)
- “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” — Deuteronomy 33:27 (NIV)
- “Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” — Luke 15:4 (NIV)
- “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” — 1 John 3:1 (NIV)
Let Go of Fear — Here’s Why You Actually Can
- “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” — Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:6–7 (NIV)
- “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.” — John 14:27 (NIV)
- “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” — Psalm 56:3 (NIV)
- “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” — 1 John 4:18 (NIV)
- “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” — Psalm 118:6 (NIV)
- “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.'” — Romans 8:15 (NIV)
- “Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with divine retribution; God will come to save you.'” — Isaiah 35:4 (NIV)
- “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'” — Psalm 91:1–2 (NIV)
- “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” — Proverbs 29:25 (NIV)
- “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” — Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
- “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?” — Psalm 27:1 (NIV)
- “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” — Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
- “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” — Psalm 34:4 (NIV)
- “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 6:26 (NIV)
- “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” — Luke 12:7 (NIV)
- “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'” — Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
Keep Going — Your Breakthrough Isn’t as Far as It Feels
- “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” — Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
- “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” — Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
- “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” — Matthew 7:7–8 (NIV)
- “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!'” — Revelation 21:5 (NIV)
- “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.” — Psalm 40:3 (NIV)
- “To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” — Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)
- “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” — Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV)
- “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” — Psalm 126:5 (NIV)
- “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” — Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
- “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.” — Joel 2:25 (ESV)
- “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” — Psalm 37:23–24 (NIV)
- “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” — Micah 7:7 (NIV)
- “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” — Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
- “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” — Luke 18:1 (NIV)
- “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” — Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
- “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” — Psalm 27:13 (NIV)
- “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” — Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
When You Need Strength You Don’t Have
- “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” — Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
- “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
- “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” — Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)
- “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” — Habakkuk 3:19 (NIV)
- “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” — Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)
- “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” — Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
- “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” — Psalm 28:7 (NIV)
- “Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.” — Colossians 1:11 (NIV)
- “Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” — Isaiah 33:2 (NIV)
- “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” — Psalm 31:24 (NIV)
- “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” — 1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)
- “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” — Daniel 10:19 (NIV)
- “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” — Psalm 18:32 (NIV)
- “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him.” — Exodus 15:2 (NIV)
- “Let the weakling say, ‘I am strong!'” — Joel 3:10 (NIV)
- “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” — Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)
- “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
- “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” — Psalm 34:4 (NIV)