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Families With Grace

Helping Christian moms create homes filled with grace, love & faith

Bible verses to give you hope for your children’s future

7 Bible verses about hope for the future to encourage moms

From the time we find out we’re pregnant, we moms think about the future and our children. And we may find ourselves stressing out with worries about what the future will hold. 

Turning to the Word of God is always helpful in times like these. I’ve pulled together seven of the best Bible verses about hope for the future that remind us mamas of God’s promises and faithfulness — no matter what the future holds.

It’s easy to put together a collection of Bible verses and declare they’ll help in whatever hard times you’re facing. But, let’s dig deeper into these verses to find the ultimate hope we have for the future in God. 

I’ve got some practical ways you can apply some of my favorite Scriptures into your daily life to grow in Christian hope and rest in God’s love.

This post is part of the “Grace-Filled Stress Relief” free Bible study for moms. Find all the details here:

Find all the details about the stress-relief Bible study for moms here

Hebrews 10:24-25

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 of Bible verses about hope for the future

Besides having the encouragement of the Scriptures, we also need encouragement from others around us. God’s intentions for us are to live in community with one another. We can do that in a variety of ways.

We must be part of a fellow community of believers. Find a church based on God’s Word and get involved.

This advice is something we hear a lot. Find believers; get involved. 

I don’t say that flippantly. As a quiet person, who is also an introvert, I know the struggle is real. I’ve been let down by God’s children often throughout my decades as a Christian.

But, God tells us to not give up meeting together. It won’t always be easy. People will let you down and even hurt your feelings. Don’t let any of that stop you.

We serve a God of hope who has good plans for each of us. Seek Him and be open to where He leads you.

Be patient.

This year, I turned 45. Having been in church my entire life and asking Jesus into my heart at age 10, I’ve been around a lot of Christians through the years. A lot!

Yet, it wasn’t until recently that I truly learned what Christian community in practice can really be like. Our Heavenly Father led us to a new church after years at the church we were at.

And, this has been such a blessing to my family. I truly understand the feeling of family at church in ways I never had previously. 

I tell you this to say don’t give up hope if it doesn’t come easy or doesn’t come right away. It may take a little while — or a long while. But there is a community of believers out there waiting for you to join them.

Find what works in your season.

I also want to mention that some phases of life and motherhood make finding a community of believers really difficult. Getting out of the house on Sunday mornings with little kids who are constantly sick or struggling is hard.

Don’t let that stop you from finding other believers you can connect with. Some seasons require us to get a bit more creative in seeking out others. 

Find a group of fellow Christian moms online to connect with. Reach out to Christian family members.

Be intentional about going after and building a community of faith to encourage you today and help strengthen your Biblical hope in the unfailing love of God.

When my children were really young, I was part of a small Bible study group with three other ladies who met weekly in a home. It wasn’t a church service, but we sincerely sought God together and lifted each other up in prayer. 

It was perfect for that season of my life.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 of Bible verses about hope for the future

This verse comes from Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ. He is instructing the church in Thessalonica on how to live and continue to grow in their walk with God. 

A little gratitude can go a long way when we are overwhelmed and worried. Gratitude shifts our focus off the problem.

Even in looking to the future, we can have an attitude of gratitude in knowing no matter what the future holds, God will be present and faithful.

Thank God.

Make thanking God part of your daily routine. Maybe during your prayer time or other times, take a moment to reflect on and thank God for the blessings He’s given you now.

Thank Him for future blessings you don’t even know about, yet. Doing so will help you remember God is just as much part of your future as He is your present and was your past.

Keeping a gratitude journal can be a great way to do stay intentional with gratitude.

Check out these additional resources about gratitude:

Make time for praise.

Worrying about the present or future is pretty much impossible when you’re praising God. Find ways to make praise part of your daily routine.

You can spend time praising God in prayer, listening to praise music or praising God as a family at the dinner table. Or do a combination of all these things.

You can find Families with Grace on Spotify with a playlist of Christian praise music to get you started!

Proverbs 16:9

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Proverbs 16:9 from Bible verses about hope for the future

I’m a planner by nature. In fact, as I type this I have a physical planner sitting to the left of me and a digital planner pulled up on the screen beside me.

Oh, and my family’s weekly planner is sitting on the printer for me to post on the fridge.

So, yeah. I plan. A lot. I love lists and calendars. They soothe me and make me feel in control.

But, I’ve found the control I feel in my human mind isn’t real control at all. It’s basically an illusion.

All the to-do lists in the world can’t stop my children from getting sick and disrupting my plans. Unchangeable things happen. Weather, sickness, loss and more interrupt our plans.

I’ve learned uncertain times in my own life are not all uncertain or surprising to God. 

Don’t forget the past.

When life does go sideways, I find strong encouragement in remembering the past and how God has brought me through each and every challenge.

Taking time to dwell on the goodness of God in the strife of life is important and gives us a future hope in knowing God will be with us every step of the way. He always been faithful, and He won’t stop now.

Trust in the good things God has for you.

Another way I’ve found to encourage myself when my plans don’t come to fruition is to know and trust God wants and has good things for me both in the present and the future.

Because even when times are hard or uncertain, I am surrounded by the blessings of God. When life is really difficult and finding hope for the future is beyond our understanding, then we can at least find hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I’ll never forget one of my lowest moments when I was at church, saw the cross and felt God reminding me that when everything was falling apart, I could always fall back on the hope of salvation and love of Jesus.

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 right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 from Bible verses about hope for the future

This verse — oh, this verse! It is one of the very first Bible verses I ever memorized as a child. I truly believe the power of the Holy Spirit kept this verse on my mind and in my heart.

Life is scary. Looking at the future is scary. Yet, God is with us — always. 

I clung to the first part of this verse most when I was a child and afraid of unknown things in the dark. When I got older, I learned the rest of the verse, and the hope it has given me is beyond my own understanding.

Because not only can I let go of fear and trust God is on top of things, I can also lean into and rely on His strength, help and protection. I can imagine no safer place than in the right hand of God.

Memorize a helpful verse.

This verse may not be your verse, so to speak, like it is for me. But find a Bible verse to remind you of the Lord’s great love and His perfect peace.

If you’re not sure what verse is right for you, pray and ask God to guide you and open the eyes of your heart to find the verse He has for you. 

Write it out, post it on your mirror, recite it over and over or whatever you need to do to dwell on and remember the verse. Our God is a God of living hope and His Word reminds us of this throughout both the Old Testament and New Testament.

Check out these posts full of Bible verses for some ideas as well.

Visualize yourself with God.

Another thing I’ve done with this verse in particular is visualize myself resting in God’s hand. It may sound a bit silly, but it brings me comfort to know Someone bigger than me who is trustworthy is on duty when I feel like I can’t go on.

Find an image that brings you peace and comfort from our Heavenly Father. Close your eyes and imagine that when you start to feel overwhelmed in life. 

Ask God to give you thoughts of peace in the midst of the struggle and worry.

Psalm 100:5

“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100:5 from Bible verses about hope for the future

If I think about all God has brought me through in my life, I can see the great mercy of God and the steadfast love of the Lord. I praise Him for that and am so thankful.

Somehow, I am even more thankful God is merciful, faithful and loving to my children. Knowing not only is God good and constant, but He will be there for my children and future generations makes me want to shout for joy.

As moms, we want good for our children, just as our Heavenly Father does for us. We can trust Him to take care of our children even when we can’t.

Pray over and for your children.

The Lord delights in the love of His children, which includes our own children. Pray over and for your kids to know God personally. 

Nothing matters more than helping our children grow in and build a relationship with God. Prayer is foundational for this.

Check out “14 Powerful prayers to pray for your school children” for more inspiration.

Stand on God’s promise of faithfulness.

During those times when you do feel overwhelmed and worried about what the future holds for your children, stand on promises like the one in this verse.

God has been faithful to every generation since Adam and Eve. He will continue to be faithful to your children’s generation and beyond.

Psalm 37:5

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.”

Psalm 37:5 from Bible verses about hope for the future

These words from King David in the Bible are encouraging. In fact, the verses following this one go on to talk about how God will reward our righteousness, and we don’t have to worry when wicked seems to be prevailing.

Just a little faith can go a long way. In fact, David, who was called a man after God’s own heart, had his own faith struggles.

Throughout the book of Psalms, we see David’s emotions go up and down as he wavers and wonders.

But he always comes back to the Lord God, who never lets him down, just as He never lets us down.

Keep going on your faith walk.

When we feel overwhelmed, stressed, discouraged and fearful of the future, it’s easy to start pulling away from God. We can find ourselves resisting going to church, reading the Bible, praying and more.

Yet, these are the very times we need to keep going and commit our way to God. Even when you feel like you may only be going through the motions, don’t stop. 

Those motions will eventually lead you right to your Savior Jesus Christ who is patiently waiting for you to get back in line with Him.

Don’t get ahead of yourself.

It can be hard to not try to fix things ourselves. We think we know what’s best most of the time, and perhaps especially for our children.

This verse reminds us God doesn’t expect us to have all the answers. We just need to commit ourselves to Him and have faith in Him. 

He will do the rest.

Philippians 1:6

“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 from Bible verses about hope for the future

We’ve all started projects and not finished them. Or we’ve delayed working on them. Life gets busy and other things take precedence.

God is not the same. He has a work of faith going in you, and He won’t stop until the end. He doesn’t get distracted or sidetracked by life.

Remember God is working in your children’s lives.

Just as God will remain faithful to carry out the good work in our lives, He will do so for our children as well. We can trust and rest in that promise firmly.

Along with having the hope of eternal life for ourselves and our children, we also have the hope of God’s faithfulness and help every step of the way until we get there. 

We can be encouraged to know God won’t forget about the good work He started in our children, even when we see them falling short.

Think in the long-term.

Thinking in the long-term sounds a bit counterintuitive when we are talking about not having fear for the future. But, let me explain.

Sometimes we can get caught up in our present sufferings and things we see coming right away. God, however, sees the big picture beyond what we can see.

So thinking in the long-term can help us have perspective about whatever we’re currently facing. We have the hope of glory no matter what happens.

For example, I’ve gained a lot of perspective in life as I’ve grown. Teenage me found small things to be a much bigger deal than adult me does, because I’ve got more perspective.

If we can wrap our minds just a bit around the long-term plan of living for God, then we can more easily let our earthly worries and fears dissipate.

30 Encouraging Bible verses for moms (Free reading plan)

Scriptures for encouragement on your motherhood journey

You ever have one of those overwhelming days when you question whether you’re even cut out to be a mom? I sure have. This was a challenge as a new mom getting used to motherhood, but even now it remains a challenge in having children in middle and high school.

The truth is being a mom is hard work. The challenges of motherhood abound from organizing schedules, dealing with laundry, making sure everyone is fed, encouraging our children’s spiritual walk, staying on top of homework and on the list goes.

The good news for us overwhelmed moms is God’s Word has a lot of encouragement for us. I’ve pulled together some of the top Bible verses to encourage your mama heart right where you are.

(Find the link to download the free reading plan at the end of the article.)

The power of the Word of God for moms

I know as a busy mom that getting in time for Bible study is hard and sometimes downright impossible. Some seasons are a bit easier, and some are a lot harder.

I remember the early days as a first-time mom and feeling overwhelmed. I could barely keep up with my personal hygiene, let alone Bible study.

God reminded me time and again that He knew I was a struggling mom, He was with me every step of the way and I needed to give myself grace.

One of the best things I found for those times — and even now as a mom of older kiddos — is simple Bible reading plans. Just reading one or two verses a day gets my mind focused on my Heavenly Father — exactly as it should be!

Practical ways for moms to get in Bible study time

When you’re an overwhelmed mom, even coming up with ideas to read a verse or two a day can seem impossible. I get that! Here are some of my best suggestions for helping work it into your schedule.

  1. Pray about it. Seriously! I have many times asked God to show me how to best use my time, including how to work in Bible reading time.
  2. Try habit stacking. For example, I pray as I brush my teeth. I read my Bible as I eat breakfast or as I dry my hair.
  3. Listen to the Bible instead. If you aren’t a reader, check out the great audio options in the YouVersion Bible app.
  4. Use a simple Bible reading plan (like the ones I have for you for free!) that you can stick with.
  5. Find a Bible translation that you understand and get the most out of.

For more, check out “How to connect with God in the middle of raising a family.”

Top 5 encouraging Bible verses for moms

Ideally, you can spend the entire month reading through 30 of the most inspiring Bible verses to encourage moms. But, I also know there are hard days when you just need encouragement fast. 

So, I’ve pulled out a list of 5 of my favorite verses of encouragement for the difficult times. Read and re-read the following Bible verses whenever you’re struggling and need extra encouragement.

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 right hand.”

This is one of my very favorite Bible verses of all time. I first learned it in my third grade Sunday School class, and it’s gotten me through so many rough days and hard times.

At first, I was drawn to the first part of the verse to not fear, but as I got older and learned the entire verse, I can no longer pick a favorite part.

Because as a mom, I need the reminder that God is with me, that He will strengthen and help me, and He is holding me tightly. 

Prayer: Dear God, calm my heart today and remind me you are always with me so I don’t have to be afraid. Strengthen and help me in all that I am doing. Lord, I ask that you uphold me firmly in your hand. Thank you for being the God of all comfort I can always turn to. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Philippians 4:13 

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

One thing we need as mamas is strength. This verse is a terrific reminder of God’s strength and the power of the Holy Spirit to bestow His strength upon us.

From the middle-of-the-night feedings and struggles of new moms to the middle-of-the-night anxieties of moms with teens, God is there to strengthen us.

Just after my youngest was born, I was getting very little sleep. I was averaging around two hours a night at best. 

I cannot tell you now how I managed. It is definitely beyond my own understanding. I just know that God was always faithful to give me strength for each moment.

Prayer: Dear God, I have so many tasks before me. I can feel so easily overwhelmed by them. Give me your strength to get through every moment of my day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Matthew 11:28-29

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

There is nothing more restful than the peace of God, which is what this verse is reminding us of. One of the biggest reasons I get exhausted and overwhelmed is not giving my worries and burdens to God.

Yet, here Christ Jesus Himself is telling us to come to Him when we are too tired to keep moving forward. He will bear our burdens and give us perfect peace and rest for our souls as only God’s unfailing love can do.

It’s incredibly comforting to me to remember that I don’t have to carry all my burdens alone.

Prayer: Dear God, I am weary and burdened. I need your rest today. Teach me and help me to learn from you. Remind me of your unconditional love and provision. Strengthen me as only you can. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Psalm 46:1

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Knowing that God is there for us and will strengthen us whenever we face trouble is incredibly comforting and encouraging. Even better is that He is there to help us no matter the trouble from struggles with potty training to sending your kiddo off to college.

I love picturing an image of God holding me in his arms when I’m weary and overwhelmed. I imagine being surrounded by God’s love and filled with his strength. 

This verse reminds me of that. Even when I am struggling and don’t feel like I’m doing a good job as a mama, God is right there with me.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for being our refuge and strength always. Lord, lift me up today and strengthen me. Help me through all of the troubles I face. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Jeremiah 29:11

“‘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.'”

The truth of motherhood is that sometimes we lose ourselves. We get so busy taking care of others that we slowly ebb away.

But, mama, God hasn’t forgotten about you. He has plans for your life — and they are good plans! 

He knows you are doing the good work of raising your children. He sees your sincere faith and your mother’s love that pours into her children every single day.

Our loving God knows motherhood is a high calling, and He doesn’t take it lightly.

He sees you. He wants to give you hope and a future. These days won’t last forever. Eventually, you’ll get back to being a version of yourself.

You won’t be exactly as you were before motherhood, because motherhood changes us in our inmost being. We evolve and grow, just as God planned for us.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for having plans for my life that are good. Some days right now, it’s hard to see them. Remind me of the hope and future I have in you. Give me greater joy as I go through my day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A free reading plan

The Bible is filled with so many other related Scripture quotes to encourage and uplift us. This simple reading plan will take you through 30 such verses by reading just one or two a day.

Download the PDF and print it out or use it on your phone or other device — whatever is easiest for you.

The PDF also includes reflection questions for each week’s topic. The weekly topics include the following:

  • Strength in God
  • Peace in God
  • Hope in the Lord
  • Rest in God’s love
  • God’s promises

Grow in prayer

The reading plan also includes a prayer for the months relating to encouragement for moms. Sometimes even knowing what to pray and putting thoughts together is hard in the middle of motherhood. 

You’ll also find a page to list prayers and praises for the month. This is a great way to keep a prayer journal and be able to look back later and see how God has been working in your life.

Additional ways to grow in faith

Sometimes you might find yourself with more time. Or maybe you’re like I am with older kiddos in school.

There are some other great ways to meditate on these verses.

  • Read the verse out loud multiple times, emphasizing the words in different ways each time.
  • Pick a verse a week (or month) and memorize it.
  • Write the Bible verse by hand.
  • Dig deeper and find out the full context of shorter Scripture quotes.
  • Involve your whole family by having a verse of the week for everyone.

A final word of encouragement

When it comes to Bible study and getting into the Word of God, we need to make it a priority while also giving ourselves grace.

The truth is some days are just harder to find a moment of quiet time than others. I recently had one of those days myself with a sick child. The next day, I had more time and got caught up.

Your motherhood journey isn’t one you were meant to go on alone. Get into God’s Word, feel His presence and find encouragement!

If you’re looking to connect with other Christian moms like you, be sure to check out our private Facebook group, Christian Moms with Grace, where we have daily discussions to encourage one another along the way!

30 Encouraging Bible verses for mom download

Don’t miss these other encouraging posts for Christian moms:

7 Prayers for overwhelmed moms needing peace and strength

To the moms of little ones

Encouragement for when you feel like you’re failing God

To the mom who is overwhelmed

20 Encouraging Bible verses about peace of mind

How to deal with anxiety as a Christian

Plus 10 faith-based strategies to manage anxiety

I recently had a conversation with a loved one about anxiety and faith. We talked about whether someone can have anxiety as a Christian.

What does that look like? What does that say about our faith?

We weren’t the first people to discuss this, and I know we surely won’t be the last. But, it did get me thinking about a message many Christians need to hear:

You aren’t alone in your anxiety. Feelings of anxiety don’t mean you love Jesus Christ any less.

You aren't alone in your anxiety. Feeling of anxiety don't mean you love Jesus any less.

If you’ve been in church for any amount of time, I’m sure you’ve heard sermons and lessons on how worrying is a sin. Being anxious is a sin. Persistent anxiety means we have a lack of faith in our Heavenly Father.

I know what God’s Word says about anxiety, but I also know that it remains a struggle for so many of us.

So, can you be a Christian and have anxious thoughts at the same time? The short answer is absolutely!

But I think we need to go a bit deeper. I don’t have all the answers or any sort of theological degree. I can only share my experiences, struggles and feelings with anxiety as a Christian.

The physical component of anxiety

Having some anxiety is normal and helpful. It’s helped keep humans alive for so many years because we respond to danger and take less risk.

However, some of us get stuck in that mode even when no threat is apparent. That’s when we shift to an anxiety disorder.

Like other mental health struggles, anxiety often needs more intervention than just trite advice. And anxiety disorders are rampant.

Statistically speaking, about 30% of adults are dealing with an anxiety disorder at any given time. That’s up nearly 10% from 20 years ago.

How to deal with anxiety as a Christian Pinterest image 2

Statistics on how the Christian population compares to the general population in regards to anxiety disorders isn’t available.

But, let’s say the Christian population does have less anxiety, we’re still talking about a minimum of 20% of adults.

Meaning if you are at a church with 300 attendees on a Sunday morning, then 60 people around you are dealing with an anxiety disorder.

So, quite literally, all congregations have members dealing with anxiety disorders.

However, we also must remember the physical component to anxiety. Certain medical conditions can cause anxiety, including diabetes, chronic pain, heart disease and thyroid problems.

Outside of other health conditions, anxiety can come from a chemical imbalance in our brains, traumatic events, ongoing stress or being genetically predisposed. None of those things can be controlled.

I also want to acknowledge the God’s power of healing here. I have seen Him do miraculous things and heal people. My firm belief is we can pray for and receive healing from anxiety.

However, I also know God’s will isn’t always healing on earth. God isn’t any less faithful for not healing someone of anxiety. And it doesn’t reflect his or her faith in any way.

Through my years of dealing with various chronic health conditions, I’ve learned these lessons the hard way.

What anxiety as a Christian can look like

A few years ago, my husband and I were discussing a difficult situation that worried us. My husband is incredibly great at compartmentalizing. He also does well with leaving his worries with God.

We were talking about how we handled our worry differently. He mentioned that he trusted God would take care of the situation. I realized I didn’t completely believe that.

Let me explain. I prayed about the same situation and knew that God would work in and through it. However, I didn’t believe it would necessarily work out positively.

My husband’s faith was in God’s work to resolve the problem. My faith was that no matter what happened with the outcome, Christ Jesus would be with me and give me the peace of God.

Neither of us were wrong, but my approach certainly leaves room for anxiety.

I like to think I was just being realistic and not thinking negative thoughts. But, I think more than anything, my perspective came from my anxiety struggles.

While my husband could list off all the things that could go wrong, he was able to not fret about them because they hadn’t happened (and might never happen).

On the other hand, my mind can get an a runaway anxiety train thinking of all the possible outcomes while still trusting God won’t leave me.

Logically, I know God is in control, but anxiety isn’t logical. One of my worst times of much anxiety was right around when my oldest daughter was born.

We went on vacation and took her with us onto a large dock with a floating restaurant. I was nearly paralyzed with anxiety because I could just see her stroller going off the dock and into the lake.

In my head, that’d just be it. She’d drown.

In reality, we had her nowhere near the edge. And had the stroller somehow gone in, my husband or I would have been in the water right afterward to get her to safety.

But reality doesn’t often factor into anxiety issues.

Moving forward in faith with anxiety

Since anxiety disorders are like any other physical or mental illness, if we aren’t healed of them, then we need to figure out how to manage them and move forward in spite of them. We can move forward in both practical and spiritual ways.

1. Pray.

Everything should start with prayer, even managing anxiety as a Christian. You can definitely pray for healing (and I encourage you to), but you can also pray for God’s help handling your anxiety.

I do this quite often. I ask God to help me stop thinking about something I’m dwelling on. Or I pray that He helps me to know if a worry is something I need to act on or just have peace about.

For example, when it’s the middle of the night and I hear a slight noise that gets my mind reeling with all the bad things it could be.

We have Biblical instruction for doing this very thing, and what I love most is that God promises us peace. While I’ve had my fair share of anxious moments that increase my heart rate, I have also felt the peace and presence of God come over and still me in the midst of it.

Related Bible verse:

“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)
Anxiety as a Christian - Philippians 4:6-7

2. Find a Bible verse to comfort you.

The Bible has so many verses about the peace and comfort of God. It reminds us of His presence in our lives.

Find a verse that speaks to and calms your heart. (If you don’t have one, ask God to help you find one.) Memorize it and repeat it as often as needed in everyday life.

For me, that verse is Isaiah 41:10 (see below). I learned the first part of it in third grade and it has stuck with me. I’ve repeated it to myself so many times through the years in different situations and at different times.

I’ve used the second part of the verse as a breath prayer. God’s Word is powerful. It truly can cast out fear!

Related Bible verse:

“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)
Anxiety as a Christian; Isaiah 41:10

3. Listen to encouraging music.

Music can minister to us in so many ways. God has spoken to me so many times through songs, even songs I’ve heard and sung for years. Christian music is a part of my life.

While it can encourage and uplift me, it also stays in my head. Sometimes a song stuck in my head is just what I need to hear at just the right moment. My anxiety and faith battle in song lyrics!

Recently, I was having a difficult time and kept thinking, “I’ve never felt more alone than I do right now.”

Every single time I thought that, “Jireh” from Elevation Worship and Maverick City popped into my head with, “I’ve never been more loved than I am right now.”

It helped me turn my focus around to God’s love and the truth, which I definitely needed to do.

Related Bible verse:

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Colossians 3:16 (NIV)
Anxiety as a Christian - Colossians 3:16

4. Monitor what you watch.

I’ve learned to be careful what I watch. Watching TV news only increases my anxiety. It’s so negative and so dismal. It can add a variety of thoughts to my head that I don’t need.

But so can fictional television shows and movies. I’m a sensitive person and always have been.

I remember watching a scary movie in fourth grade at a slumber party and can still recall scenes from that movie to this day.

I am not into the murder shows, police shows, medical dramas and so many other things because they only increase my anxiety.

Another one of the biggest issues that many of us face are navigating social media. Seeing only the best parts of others’ lives increase our anxiety symptoms and stress.

The best thing I’ve found to have less anxiety from social media is taking a break from it when I’m struggling most. Or if I start scrolling and find myself getting upset, then I close the app and move on to something else.

Unsurprisingly, the truth of God in the Bible talks about this very thing. The Apostle Paul admonishes us to be careful what we watch for a reason!

Related Bible verse:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Anxiety as a Christian; Philippians 4:8

5. Think through worst-case scenarios.

This one totally sounds counterintuitive. I sometimes get easily sidetracked and anxious thinking of all the worst-case scenarios.

But, years ago my husband challenged me to think of the worst-case scenario of my worries. Then, he said, come up with the solution.

Often that helps ease my anxiety because I have a plan. And I love having a plan!

If I come up with the worst-case scenario (and my brain is good at that), I think of what would happen if that scenario came to pass.

This works also because it makes me start thinking more practically and realistically the opposite of how anxiety makes me think.

Related Bible verse:

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”

Luke 14:28 (NIV)
Anxiety as a Christian; Luke 14:28

6. Talk about it.

Persistent anxiety is good at lying to us. It can make problems seem so much bigger than they are and increase the feeling of worry for no good reason.

When I have trouble dealing with something or moving on from it, it helps to talk about it with someone I trust.

For me, that’s my husband. Often just saying the words out loud help my anxiety and faith meet as I realize what I’m worried about isn’t such a big deal.

We weren’t made to bear our burdens alone. Along with being able to go to God, we also need to have people who we can turn to and trust when our burdens weigh us down.

Saying a worry out loud to good Christian friends or loved ones is a powerful tool that removes at least some of anxiety’s power.

Related Bible verse:

“If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”

Ecclesiastes 4:10a (NIV)
Anxiety as a Christian; Ecclesiastes 4:10a

7. Distract yourself.

I’m not advocating for denial here, but distracting yourself from your thoughts is a good way to help in the midst of the struggles with anxiety as a Christian. Find healthy ways to distract yourself or ground yourself in the moment.

I have a coloring app on my phone that I find soothing and often use to unwind and relax.

I’ve also tried some mindfulness and grounding techniques when my anxiety starts to get away from me. For me, this is just stopping my thoughts and shifting my focus to what I can see, feel and hear.

It’s beyond just acknowledging those things but really paying attention to them. (Find more relaxation tips and strategies in this article I wrote for the IC Network.)

Sometimes what we need most is just a break from our anxious thoughts.

Related Bible verse:

“A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God.”

Ecclesiastes 2:24 (NIV)
Anxiety as a Christian; Ecclesiastes 2:24

8. Believe you CAN improve.

A major lie anxiety likes to tell us is that we will always feel this way — or at least feel this way for a long time. We don’t have hope for the future and have no reason to try and do better.

I’ve been down that path both with anxiety and my other health issues; I get it. I still have days where I think this is the best it gets.

But I am continuing to learn that a bad day, week or even month doesn’t mean it will always be bad.

The first step toward making progress is allowing yourself to believe truly believe that you can improve. And then you must remind yourself that you are worth the work.

I’ve learned I need to embrace these two concepts when I get stuck and need to move forward. I’m thankful for my husband who also gently pushes me to not just accept “this is how things are.”

Even if your anxiety isn’t healed or isn’t just a phase, you can always learn new ways to help manage it. Try new and different ways to manage your symptoms.

Don’t stop trying. Let me reassure you that God made you. You are worthwhile.

The good news is He doesn’t make junk, my friend.

You are worth the effort needed to improve. Tiny baby steps forward are still steps forward. God has plans to give you a future and a hope!

Related Bible verse:

“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)
Anxiety as a Christian; Jeremiah 29:11

9. Get professional help.

A negative way anxiety and faith can overlap is by trying to convince you that since you have faith you don’t need help. Go back and read the section about the physical component of anxiety.

You can try helping yourself. Sometimes that works! But, sometimes it doesn’t because you need more help than you can give yourself.

Think of it like treating yourself when you’re sick. When you first start feeling a scratchy throat, you might drink more liquids and go to bed early.

However, if you wake up the next day with a swollen throat and a fever, you know you need to see your doctor and be checked for strep throat.

Treat your anxiety the same way. Try things to help yourself, but if it stays the same or gets worse, seek help.

You can start seeking professional help with your family doctor who can suggest mental health professionals in your areas. Consider cognitive behavioral therapy.

Be able to talking about anti-anxiety medication.

There is no shame in seeking help from a medical professional or counselor. God has given us knowledge and resources. We should not be ashamed to use those resources!

Related Bible verse:

“Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.”

Proverbs 20:18 (NIV)

(Additional note: I left in this entire verse, because we are waging a war on anxiety. It applies!)

Anxiety as a Christian; Proverbs 20:18

10. Focus on who God Is.

When we’re dealing with anxiety, we can feel like everything is shifting. Everything is murky, and nothing makes sense.

That’s all the more reason to focus on who God is. He is unchanging, faithful and true. That’s incredibly comforting with or without anxiety.

I remember distinctly a Sunday morning during a really bad time in my life. I’m not sure what the sermon was about that morning.

I was too distracted first by my worries but then by the cross at the front of the sanctuary. God’s Holy Spirit spoke into my heart and reminded me the God loves me and sent His Son to die for me.

When you aren’t able to cling to anything else, you can cling to God’s love. Shift your focus onto who He is and allow God’s presence and comfort to flow into you.

Related Bible verses:

“As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.”

Psalm 18:30 (NIV)
Anxiety as a Christian; Psalm 18:30

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.”

1 John 4:9 (NIV)
Anxiety as a Christian; 1 John 4:9

20 Inspirational quotes from the Bible for difficult times

Encouragement and Bible verses for hard times 

Earlier this week, my youngest woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t get back to sleep. He ended up waking both my husband and me. I got him settled back into bed and laid down myself. 

20 Inspirational quotes from the Bible for Difficult Times Pinterest image 7

I prayed that my son would be able to get back to sleep and rest well. Then I also prayed for my husband and me the same way. Finally, I thanked God for taking care of us before saying “Amen.” 

As I snuggled into the covers, listening to my dog begin to softly snore, I thought about that. In the middle of the night, in the darkness, God reminded me that He will always take care of me. And it was exactly what my heart and soul desperately needed.

God shows up when we need Him

The days prior to this night hadn’t been easy ones. Sometimes life throws a curveball your way, and it knocks you down. Throughout the previous few days, I’d been thinking how knowing God’s will for a situation doesn’t make it hurt any less. 

Sometimes in the middle of our hurt and tough times we can feel so alone (even when that isn’t true). Yet, God promises that He is always with us.

As I slowly settled in to fall back asleep, the old hymn “God will Take Care of You” drifted through my mind.  

Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.

Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you.

All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied,
God will take care of you.

No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you.God Will Take Care of You
Civilla D. Martin, 1904

I needed that reminder so very much. Maybe it was in the stillness and quietness of the night that God knew I would be better able to hear Him and feel the peace of God. 

Perhaps He knew I’d lie in bed with no distractions, and He could gently remind me that He will always take care of me. Unsurprisingly, He was right on time. 

Yet again, He spoke truth and encouragement into my heart while giving me a song to go with it. Music ministers to my soul so very much.

Remembering the past

One of the other lessons I’ve learned through my decades of walking with God is that He really is ever faithful in my time of need. Each time I face a new hard time or challenge, I remind myself of other times I thought I couldn’t bear. 

And I remember how God has been with me every step of the way, even in ways I still don’t even understand. I have felt God’s peace through various trials.

I am thankful that even though I have stories of difficult situations, I also have stories of God’s faithfulness through them. 

For example, there was the time my husband was without a job for an entire year that we somehow managed to pay our bills.

Then in all of my health struggles with chronic conditions, God continues to give me strength and encouragement. He remains faithful.

Sometimes looking back at what God has done in the past can help us as we encounter new challenges and hard times. I have to watch out when doing this, because I can sometimes get distracted and start having a pity party for myself about all the hard times I’ve had in my life. And that’s not helpful. 

I have learned to stop myself when I start going down that path. It certainly isn’t going to help me like remembering God’s faithfulness and provisions will!

Amazing Bible verses about God’s promises for hard times

Listening for God and remembering what He has done in the past is helpful in getting through hard times. But I also have learned that finding inspirational quotes from the Bible about the promises of God is helpful. 

We have God’s Word as a tool to help us through life. This collection of Bible verses are promises we can cling to during difficult times in life.

Get a free list of all these Bible verses to keep on hand!

Bible verses for difficult times

Matthew 11:28

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

I love this reminder, because during hard times, we feel so weary and burdened. I’ve also had the song “Worn” from Tenth Avenue North running through my head lately. It goes right along with this verse. “I know that You can give me rest, so I cry out with all that I have left.”

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 right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

I’ve shared this verse multiple times, because it is truly my all-time favorite, powerful Bible verse that applies to so many situations.

While I first fell in love with the verse for God promising to always be with me when I’m afraid, I later learned the entire verse and love all parts of it. For hard times, I especially love God’s promise to strengthen, help and uphold us. 

Psalms 9:9-10

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
    a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name trust in you,
    for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Psalms 9:9-10 (NIV)

God is our shelter and help when we are having a hard time. He promises that we can trust in Him and that He will never leave us. I cling to that promise!

Jeremiah 29:11

“‘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. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'”

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)

I think sometimes this verse gets relegated only to graduates and young people. But it deserves a second look.

God is promising that whatever our hard times are, they aren’t part of a plan for Him to harm us. His plan is to give us hope.

And He promises to listen to us when we pray. He also promises that when we seek Him with all our hearts that we will find Him. He is always there.

Hebrews 13:5b

“God has said, ‘Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.'”

Hebrews 13:5b (NIV)

God is always with us. He doesn’t wander off. He doesn’t sleep and miss out on being there. God is always with us!

Psalm 34:18

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Psalms 34:18 (NIV)

Hard times can make us feel alone. But we are never alone. When we are brokenhearted, God is right there with us. 

We may not always feel Him or see Him. We may get too distracted and overwhelmed to notice Him, but He is always there with us. Always!

Hebrews 13:8

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

This is a good Bible verse that can be easy to overlook because it’s something we’ve probably heard many times.

But I remember one of the very lowest moments of my life going to church, noticing the cross and remembering this truth. 

When life is difficult and things are topsy-turvy, knowing that Christ Jesus is always the same and His promises never fail is comforting. 

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV)

Sometimes the best way to get through difficult times is remembering we truly are only dealing with them for a little while in the grand scheme of things.

These verses encourage us to keep moving forward, looking forward to the crown of life we’ll receive one day in heaven.​

Proverbs 19:10

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
    the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”

Proverbs19:10 (ESV)

When we are going through heart-wrenching times, the best thing we can do is simply call on the name of Jesus. His name is a strong tower that will protect us and give us peace in the midst of our struggle.

Hebrews 12:1-2

“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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)

Doing the work of the Lord can seem discouraging sometimes. It can be easy to want to stop running and give up. We go against the flow, which can be rough.

But the good news found throughout God’s Word is God is faithful. The grace of God covers us completely as we continue on persevere. 

We can trust Jesus understands our pain and truly is preparing a place for us to live with Him.

Psalm 46:1

“God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1 (ESV)

I love this reminder from the Word of God about God being our safe place. He protects us and shields us. Even in the midst of hard times, God is protecting us in ways beyond our own understanding. 

Knowing God is always present to help is also encouraging. God is a God of hope and faithfulness. He will never forget you, His beloved child!

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“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)

A couple of things really stand out to me about these verses. First, our Heavenly Father is compassionate and longs to comfort us if we turn to Him.

Second, our pain isn’t always for naught. In fact, many times the struggles we have survived enable us to then help others and share the love of God that He pours out so freely to us.

Nehemiah 8:10b

“And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10b (ESV)

Thinking of being joyful during hard times sounds preposterous, but God’s joy is beyond our human joy. It is joy based on our right relationship with God and not based on achievements or possessions.

That doesn’t mean we won’t or shouldn’t feel sad or distressed. However, it is a reminder we can always find joy in God’s love and knowing He is faithful, even when life is upside down.

James 1:2-3

“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.”

James 1:2-3 (NIV)

This is another verse about having joy in spite of hard times. In fact, James seems to be telling us to be joyful because we are facing trials.

That seems really hard to do. However, we know life is a mix of both good times and hard times. If we are going to have hard times any way, then let us at least be comforted by knowing God can use our trials to grow our faith.

No matter what happens, the will of God and the character of God remain true. 

Romans 8:28

“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)

Following along with the previous verse, this verse is comforting in knowing God is always at work. This doesn’t mean everything will turn out fine and God will make it all perfect from our perspective. 

However, we can rest in knowing that as His children whatever we face, God will be at work in and through our lives as we deal with it.

Philippians 4:7

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:7 (ESV)

I’ve had a few times in my life when I faced really hard situations and God gave me peace. It was truly beyond what I could understand.

As someone who struggles with anxiety, finding peace can be difficult at the best of times. But I am thankful for a God who can give me peace during both the best of times and the worst of times!

Isaiah 26:3

“You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.”

Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

Peace sounds good always, but it especially does in our suffering. This powerful Bible verse reminds us that we can have perfect peace if we remain steadfast in our faith and trust in God.

When we focus on the One Who holds us in His hand, we can rest in His peace.

Psalm 32:7

“You are a hiding place for me;
    you preserve me from trouble;
    you surround me with shouts of deliverance.”

Psalm 32:7 (ESV)

We can’t continually hide from our problems. They do catch up with us; however, this inspirational quote from the Bible is a great reminder that we can hide in God. 

When you need a break from your thoughts and challenges, hide yourself in God through things like worship and reading the Bible. These things also helps us focus on Him instead of our troubles.

1 Peter 5:10

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

The New Testament is full of promises for our future and what is to come. We can be encouraged by knowing our suffering isn’t permanent, and God won’t leave us in our misery forever.

We also have to remember that God’s timing and version of “a little while” is based from an eternal perspective, not a human one.

Romans 8:26

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”

Romans 8:26 (NIV)

As we endure the trials of life, we must also remember the power of the Holy Spirit. When we are too distraught and beside ourselves to even know what to ask God for, the Holy Spirit goes to God on our behalf.

God’s faithfulness, goodness and love continue to astound me. He clearly understands the pain being too great for our ability to put into words. And He gave us a Helper for those very times.

Download a free list of all these verses now to help you on your journey!

Inspirational quotes from the Bible for difficult times list

Find more posts of encouraging Bible verses here:

Bible verses about leaning on and trusting God

The best Psalms for anxiety

Bible verses about grace

Bible verses about leaning on and trusting God

20 Bible verses to help you remember to trust and lean on God

I’ve been a Christian officially since I was 10. That means, I’ve had more than three decades of living with God in my life. 

I have seen and know His faithfulness. Trusting Him should be second nature right now. Often it is, but other times, I need reminders when life starts going haywire that God is on His throne and I can trust Him completely. 

That’s where Bible verses about leaning on God help. His Word is the best way to remember Who God is and how much I can trust Him.

These powerful Bible verses remind us to trust God in tough times and in good times. As you lean on God through His Word, let the peace of God fill your heart and mind.

Learning to lean on God

Just like with any relationship, our relationship with God is a day-by-day thing. I don’t mean that as in we need to doubt our salvation, but I do mean that in the way we choose each day (and sometimes each moment) to live in line with God or not.

Bible verses about leaning on God Pinterest image 1

 It’s our choice to make Him a big part of our lives or keep Him tucked away in a small corner of our lives. 

A couple of things help me most when my faith and trust in God get shaky: Bible verses and music. I’m encouraged that God clearly knew we’d have moments of weakness and doubt. So He packed His Word full of verses to encourage us on our faith journey.

God knows our weaknesses as humans, and He loves us anyway. He gives us the tools we need along the way. It’s just up to us to utilize them.

Favorite Bible verses about leaning on God

Turning to the Word of the Lord is the first place to start during times of testing of your faith. We serve a trustworthy God who will be with us in times of trouble. We can lean into our Lord Jesus and know He will be our strong tower during hard times.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)

My own understanding of things is paltry at best. I don’t know what the future holds or how things are going to work out. 

This verse reminds me that regardless of what I know or understand, I have a God I can trust in with all my heart because He knows it all and will be there with me every single step of the way. 

I want to always be in the will of God, even when I don’t understand completely the situation.

Bible verses about leaning on God Pinterest image 7

“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.'”

Psalm 46:10a (NIV)

When it comes to Bible verses about leaning on God, this is one of my favorites. I have trouble being still in my head. I can easily get carried away, ruminate and stress out. 

But this verse reminds me that I can just be still, rest and trust in God. Sometimes repeating “Be still” in my head can help calm my anxiety as I trust in the One Who is truly in control.

Other times, I ask God for help in being still, because doing so is hard with only my own strength. I need His help to even be still in Him.

“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.”

Isaiah 12:2 (NIV)

The definition for the word salvation is to save or protect from harm, destruction and loss. This verse reminds us that God is saving and protecting us. We can trust in God’s unfailing love and not be afraid. 

The good news is when God is our strength, defense and ultimate protector, we can relax and rest in Him.

“Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord, the Lord himself,
is the Rock eternal.”

Isaiah 26:4 (NIV)

Two things stick out to me in this verse. First, the use of the words “forever” and “eternal.” Knowing that God is an everlasting God on Whom I can lean throughout eternity is comforting to me.

My brain has trouble even fathoming how long eternity is, but even just having been able to trust Him for my meager amount of years on earth is significant. 

The second thing that jumps out at me is the concept of the Lord being the Rock. He’s not dirt or sand. He’s not water. God is a solid rock and firm foundation. In life, so many things can shift and change in the blink of an eye, but God remains the same in good and difficult times. He is solid and true.

“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)

God is speaking these words to Joshua, but they apply to us just as much. As we trust in God, we can rest assured He will be with us everywhere we go — even in a day of trouble. 

Just remembering this gives me strength and courage. It helps me not be as afraid or discouraged. Bible verses about leaning on God can also remind us we are never alone, which is something we need to hear when life is difficult.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

When I was a child, I trusted my parents to meet my needs. I was blessed to never worry about what I’d have to eat or whether I’d have clean clothes to wear. 

That’s the same sort of trust I strive to have in God. My desire is to be trusting God so completely that when something goes sideways, I don’t have to worry and can relax in knowing that He’s got it covered.

“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.”

Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Trusting in God can fill us with joy and peace. It can give us hope beyond what even makes sense. God has given us His Holy Spirit to fill us and dwell in us. 

During times that we are struggling to trust in God, we can ask for help and the Holy Spirit can fill us up with strength and peace not our own. I’m so thankful for that!

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“‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.'”

John 14:1 (NIV)

Jesus is speaking here. He’s just told His followers of trouble to come and that He will soon be leaving them. They’re distressed and worried. They’re afraid. 

I’ve felt that way. I’ve gotten news that left me shaken and unsure. I didn’t know what the future would look like. 

But these words from Jesus remind me that I don’t need to have a troubled heart. I just need to believe.

In the proper time, I will see every good thing God has for me. That may be on earth or in heaven or, most likely, both.

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.”

Psalm 118:8 (NIV)

In my humanity, I can often be tempted to trust in other people when things go wrong. 

For example, dealing with various health struggles through the years have led me down a path of beginning to trust in doctors or treatments. I had to learn to make sure I was trusting in God instead.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

Things change. People change. Life changes. But, Jesus remains steadfast and true. He is the same and we can trust in Him always because He never changes. 

I will never forget one of the lowest points in my life. I questioned God’s plan and purpose. Honestly, I questioned God’s love. Nothing made sense. 

My world was completely upside down, and I truly didn’t know how I’d ever endure and make it through to the other side. I spent that Sunday morning at church too overwhelmed to even sing the praise and worship songs. 

My mind wandered throughout much of the sermon. But my eyes saw the cross at the front of the church. 

And God gently reminded me that I didn’t need all the answers. I just needed to trust that He is ever faithful and true. The only thing I needed to know is that Jesus loved me so much He died for me. I could cling to that when all else failed me. 

That is the God we serve — One who is steadfast, true, unchanging and full of love for each of us.

Favorite Bible verses about faith and trust

As we are continually learning to lean on God, we also need to have Scripture references that encourage us in our faith and trust in God. Though I’ve been a Christian for decades, I still have times of wavering faith and trust. I have never turned my back on God.

However, in hard times I have wondered how much I could truly trust Him. I’ve questioned whether my faith was strong enough.

And each time, I learned that I can trust Him completely, because while I may change and struggle, God’s character remains the same. 

I can ask God for help with strengthening my faith when it starts getting shaky. If I can turn my eyes to look at Him instead of looking around me, my faith and trust are made stronger. 

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)

I love this reminder of what just a teeny, tiny amount of faith can do! Have you seen a mustard seed? They are 0.1 inch in diameter! That’s tiny. 

Jesus is telling us here that even if our faith is small, it is still powerful. Can our faith be big? Of course! But even when it isn’t, it is still powerful. 

Bible verses about leaning on God Pinterest image 9

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

struggle with confidence in myself. And sometimes that can influence the confidence I have in God. 

For a little while, I can slip into a negative attitude like, “I know God can fix this, but I don’t think He will.” I don’t usually utter those words aloud, but God hears them in my heart. 

This verse, though, convicts my heart. Faith is the assurance of things of we cannot see and being confident in the God we serve. 

I can’t be confident in myself and that I’ll always come out on top, but I can be confident God knows what He’s doing and will come out on top. I am assured and can be hopeful that no matter what life brings, God is there with me. What better description of faith is there?!

“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.”

Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Faith and trust really do go hand-in-hand with leaning on God. If we have faith in God and Who He is, then we can trust He will always be with us. 

Not only does this verse remind us we can have faith and trust in God, but it also tells us God is a God of hope. Trusting in Him will bring us joy and peace. 

And, finally, it reminds us that the Holy Spirit can fill our hearts to overflowing with hope and the joy of the Lord.

“‘Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”

Mark 10:52 (NIV)

This is one example of many in the New Testament where Jesus healed someone based on their faith. They truly believed in Him and His power. 

He sees the desires of your heart and knows your faith. Does this mean we will always get what we want? No. Does it mean we will always be healed on earth? Also, no. 

But it does mean that God sees you and will reward your faith. It also means our faith is about following Jesus. 

Instead of running off to live his life in a way he’d only previously imagined, the former blind man immediately followed Jesus. He knew where his blessing and healing had come from. 

We, too, know where our blessings and evert good gift come from and can put our faith in Him!

“I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws.”

Psalm 119:30 (NIV)

Faithfulness is a way of life we can choose. We choose faith even when our faith is shaken and wavering. 

Sometimes when we go through the acts of faithfulness, it grows our faith. I have had times when my heart just wasn’t into worshipping God. 

Yet, I found myself drawn along in worship with other believers and before I knew it, God blessed my heart and encouraged me. Living the life we know God has called us lead will draw us closer to Him, even when we are resistant or out of sorts.

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

Romans 10:17 (NIV)

I’ve been going to church my entire life. I cannot begin to tell you ever sermon I’ve heard preached or Sunday School lesson I’ve sat through. But, they have all impacted me. They have served to grow and strengthen my faith. 

This verse plainly tells us that faith comes from hearing the message, which is the word of Christ. Keep on reading God’s Word, meeting with His people and listening to music that focuses on Him to keep your faith in tact. 

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“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

The peace in this verse is like that talked about in Philippians 4:7. It is God’s peace that is beyond our understanding. 

When we trust in God, no matter how dire the circumstance is, He can give us peace that doesn’t make any sense. He can bring us comfort and assurance through every moment. 

“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Psalm 9:10 (NIV)

This is a good verse to remember for those times you feel like giving up. I love the reminder to trust in God and in HIs name because He has never left me. 

The good news is we only have to call on the name of the Lord and He will be right there in the midst of any storm. 

Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past helps me have faith and trust in Him even more in the present.

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Psalms 56:3-4 (NIV)

My all-time favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 41:10, which reminds me that God is always with me and I don’t have to be afraid. 

These verses takes that even a step further. Not only can we trust in God when we’re afraid and have Him give us peace, but we can rest assured there is nothing of eternal consequence others can do to us. God is upholding us with His righteous right hand.

We sometimes need to hear the perspective that God is so much bigger than the hard times we go through.

“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)

Trusting in God looks like letting go of trying to make sense of things. If we are leaning on His understanding, then we are not leaning on our own. 

Faith, trust and leaning on God often don’t make a lot of logical sense. As we choose to follow God, we can decide He knows what He’s doing more than we can understand. 

Many times later on we are able to look back and see why He did things that didn’t make sense at the time.

Music for leaning on God

When we are struggling with our faith and trust in God, remembering His past faithfulness is helpful. One lesson I have learned is God won’t ever leave me hanging. He has proven time and again that He’s right there with me every step of the way. 

A couple of songs have really spoken this message to me. The first is “Yes He Can” by Cain. I love the message and reminder from this trio that God has always been there in the past and will be now.

Another song that speaks to my heart in so many ways is Bethel Music’s “Goodness of God.” It reminds us how God has always been faithful and so good. It’s one of my favorite songs!

Finally, Andrew Peterson has a song called “Faith to Be Strong” that has been out since 2000 and still inspires and uplifts me. I remember this song really touching my heart after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. 

Encouragement to lean on God in faith

Sometimes more than anything, we just need to ask God for faith. Our Heavenly Father knows our faith and trust in Him can waver. He is ready to help us. It’s OK to be honest with Him about our feelings and ask for help.

Learning to lean on God doesn’t always come naturally or easy to us. We like to be independent and make our own way.

But, these Bible verses about leaning on God and trusting in Him remind us that we don’t have to go alone through difficult times. We can confidently lean into and on the God of the universe who loves us so completely.

Find more posts to encourage your faith walk:

Encouragement for when you feel like you’re failing God

When your faith is shaken

Bible verses for when you feel like giving up

Bible verses about gratitude

The best Psalms for anxiety

Encouragement for when you feel like you’re failing God

Even though I fail God, He doesn’t fail me! (Plus 10 Bible verses for when we fail God)

A couple of weeks ago, my son had a difficult spelling list. As soon as I saw the list of words on Monday as we worked on assignments, I knew it was going to be rough. My 8-year-old has some additional challenges that make spelling a very difficult subject for him, to say the least.

We worked on those words all week. One day, we sang them. Another day, he wrote them. We played assigned games with them. As we worked on other spelling assignments, we repeated the spelling out loud. 

I saw my son trying. He did his very best as he took the test. But then his face fell when his grade wasn’t what he wanted it to be.

As a mom, my heart breaks when things like this happens. We moms don’t like for our kids to have struggles and heartache. It hurts us deeply.

Failing God Pinterest image 3

I spoke with my son and reminded him that no matter the score on his spelling test that day, I was proud of him. I knew how hard he’d worked. I saw him do his best and that’s all I can ever ask of him. His best was enough. 

My feelings of spiritual failure

Later, as I was thinking about the day, I thought about all the times God has seen me struggle. I’ve worked on life lessons and done my best and still come up short. I put my faith into practice and then stumble right over it, yet again. In my head, I think of God as a stern Father, unpleased with me. 

But, I realized He is like I was with my son. I am His beloved child. He wants what is best for me. My Father wants me to try and to work. He wants me to trust Him in hard times when I can’t handle things. 

However, when I fall short and fail, He doesn’t get upset. His heart aches because He sees my potential. Maybe He has a slight smile because He knows what I’m going to learn from that failure. He doesn’t want to heap on more chastisement. God loves me and supports me every single step of the way.

I’d never be stern with my son about something I knew he had worked hard on and done his best. How much more is God the same way with us if only we trust Him and relax in the knowledge of what His is doing! God’s plan is always best, even when we go through times of failure. He will hold us and comfort us when we fall short. I am so thankful for God’s grace.

Bible verses for when we fail

When I feel like I fail God, I not only have this picture in my mind of Him treating me like I do my children when they fail, I also have God’s Word to remind me that He is ever faithful and true. The good news is these five Bible verses remind us of Who God always is — even when we fail and fall short.

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“My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.”

Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

This verse reminds me that I’m human and I’m going to struggle with feelings of failure and failing God, but He will give me His strength if I just trust in Him. When I’m facing hard things, God sends His Holy Spirit to encourage me and help me beyond my own power and own understanding.

“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again,
    but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” 

Proverbs 24:16 (NIV)

I love this verse, because it reminds me to keep going, even when I fail God. With Him I have the strength and ability to try and try again — no matter what my current situation is. 

When I encounter spiritual battles that knock me down, this verse reminds me that in the power of Jesus’ name, I can rise again and not be defeated.

“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)

This is my all-time favorite Bible verse. I love it for the promise God makes to strengthen and uphold us, even when we do fail. And I love it for the reminder that I don’t need to fear, because I struggle with that.

So often during my quiet time, God has brought this verse to mind to remind me of God’s power and peace when I have needed it most. Many times I found rest and peace in the image of myself being held in God’s hand.

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“…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

Just like I won’t ever give up on my children when they try and fail, never will God give up on us. As children of God, we can trust that God’s work is always ongoing in our lives — even when when experience a feeling of failure.

“The Lord upholds all who fall
    and lifts up all who are bowed down.”

Psalm 145:14 (NIV)

Even when I get so overwhelmed and off-track that I fall flat on my face, God is right there with me to put me back together. 

I love that the Word of God reminds us God is faithful and full of grace for when we mess up. Our Father knows that by giving us free will, we aren’t going to always get things right. And in the perfectness of God’s ways, He has planned for those failures.

Bible verses to remind us of God’s faithfulness

Going right along with being able to trust that God won’t leave us when we fail, we must also remember God’s faithfulness. Even when I fail God, He remains steadfast and true. In big things and small things, God’s will and plan is always perfect.

“Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
You established the earth, and it endures.” 

Psalm 119:90 (NIV)

While I am so thankful for God’s faithfulness to me, I am even more so for His faithfulness to my children. And this verse reminds us that God is faithful through ALL generations. 

Knowing that Jesus Christ came to earth as the Son of God to die for my sins and those of all generations to follow me encourages me.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He Who promised is faithful.” 

Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

This verse reminds me that I can hold onto hope no matter the situation because God is always faithful. He is even faithful when He says “no” to what I ask, because not for one minute does the spirit of God leave me! God’s eyes see the big picture to know what is truly best for me more than I ever could.

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“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)

These words come from Moses as he was telling the Israelites that God was going to clear a path for them and bring them through to the Promised Land. While I’m not wandering in the desert facing armies, I am facing battles in my life and trust fully that God will be with me every step of the way until I reach the heavenly Promised Land.

“For I am convinced that 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)

God is always faithful and nothing can come between us and His love! Sometimes when we are in a spiritual battle, we can feel alone and even abandoned by God. But the Bible reminds us nothing can separate us from our Father!

“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.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.” 

Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV)

This verse I picked to end with, because I love the reminder that each day is a new day. God’s love never fails me, even when I fail Him. And even though I might have failed today, tomorrow is a new day when I get to try again!

Failing God isn’t the end

No matter where you are or the battle in which you are engaged, rest in the assurance of God’s forgiveness and goodness if we only ask for it. He will come running to meet us.

And trust that God has good things in store for you, even when you are at your lowest point. I have seen Him work in situations I thought would break me. I cling to that when I’m faced with struggles and hard times again. My history of God’s love and faithfulness encourages me to keep going and trusting in the power of Jesus’ name through it all. 

God is good all the time!

Find more encouragement for your Christian life:

When your faith is shaken

Bible verses for when you feel like giving up

Finding hope in the waiting

God’s promises for hard times

You are not forgotten

Finding the strength to get through hard times

Don’t miss these Scripture cards of encouraging Bible verses to uplift you:

Encouraging Bible verses for when you feel like you're failing God

Check it out on YouTube:

How Christian moms can teach their children about God

7 Simple ways Christian moms can help grow their children’s faith

For us Christian moms, finding ways to teach our children about God is important. More than anything, I want to help my children learn about and know God in a personal way. I love them so completely and fully. Yet, I also know I can’t be there for them every moment. It’s neither possible nor feasible. But, God can. And He knows what the future holds for them. He loves them even more than I do.

While we want to be intentional as Christian moms to teach our children about God, we also need to find the best ways to do so. Long theological lectures aren’t going to convince a 6-year-old that she needs to ask God into her heart. Trite, vague answers aren’t going to convince a 16-year-old that he needs to follow God.

7 Simple ways Christian moms can teach their children about God

It’s certainly a precarious balance and one that my husband and I continue to work on as we are raising our kiddos. Just as I want to teach my children how to take care of themselves physically, I also want to teach them how to take care of themselves spiritually.

I’m still learning and growing on my journey as a Christian mom, but over the past 13 years of motherhood, I have found a few things that work for us.

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Pray.

Praying for our children is important. Praying for ourselves as Christian moms is equally important. I pray daily that I’ll be the kind of my mom my children need to raise them according to God’s will and plan for their lives. I also pray in the moment. When my kiddos are asking me questions about God, the Bible or anything faith-related, I silently pray things like, “God, give me the right words.”

Faith questions are difficult and even with kids who are only 9 and 13, we’ve already been asked some deep questions. Turning to God to help us answer is my first stop. I’ve been surprised by answers that have come to me as a result and discussions I’ve been able to have with my children. And I know that wouldn’t have happened without God’s help.

Praying with our children is also incredibly important. Each evening before bedtime, our family has prayer time together. This has a been a great time to teach our kids what praying to God can be like. We talk about prayer requests and remind them they can talk to God just like they do anyone else. They don’t need to recite memorized prayers but can really talk to Him.

Be honest.

In order to keep lines of communication wide open, I think honesty with our kids is important. My husband and I have a policy with our children that if they ask us a question, we will answer them honestly. We have adhered to that policy while also keeping their ages in mind. This is true with faith. If our kids ask us something we don’t know, we’re honest about that. We’ve told them that if we don’t know the answer, we will help them find it. We’ll turn to the Bible and our pastor to get a good answer for them.

We are also honest that some topics are debated in Christian circles. So we share our own experiences and interpretations as well as some differing views. But, we also always get back to the fact that no matter what disagreements there are, the most important thing is knowing Jesus died for our sins and wants a relationship with us.

Talk about your faith.

This might seem like a no-brainer to us Christian moms, but I think it can be easier to talk to our kids in more abstract ways about God and less about how He is working in and through our own lives. I have shared stories with my kids that happened recently and in the past of how God has helped me through situations or ways I’ve seen Him work.

You don’t have to get a 20-minute testimony to your children, but taking a minute to point out how God answered your prayer is powerful. It helps our kids realize God is still working and impacting lives today. And it shows them what a daily walk with God looks like. My hope is that it also helps them be able to see Him at work more easily in their own lives.

Listen to Christian music.

Christian music is another subtle way Christian moms can help teach their kiddos about God. I love music and have it on in the car, while I’m working and often in the kitchen as well. My kids notice it in the car the most. Without necessarily realizing it, Christian music lets them soak up the message and promise God’s love and faithfulness.

Christian radio is a great source, but I also love having my own playlist with a wide variety of Christian music. You can find the Families with Grace Playlist on Spotify with nearly 11 hours of contemporary Christian music. I keep adding to it, because it’s the playlist I listen to most often myself!

Get into God’s Word together.

Spending time together in God’s Word is important. I know my own faith walk is strongest when I’m in God’s Word. You can do this in a variety of ways. Of course, you can read the Bible together. Here are some of our favorites:

“The Jesus Storybook Bible” by Sally Lloyd-Jones is our favorite from when our kids were younger. It’s perfect for preschoolers through early elementary, but it also speaks to my heart just as much as it does to the kiddos!

The Jesus Storybook Bible is great for Christian moms to use for their preschool through early elementary children.

“The Action Bible: God’s Redemptive Story” is a comic book style Bible. It is perfect for more visual kiddos or those who love graphic novels. This Bible works really well for my 9-year-old who is dyslexic and prefers the shorter lines of text in graphic novels.

A comic book style illustrated Bible can be a great option for children who enjoy graphic novels.

“Hands-On Bible” is a great option for third grade to fifth graders. It’s the New Living Translation, but it also has lots of additional content designed to engage kiddos as they are reading.

The Hands-On Bible is a great option for upper elementary kiddos.

“NIV True Images: The Bible for Teen Girls” is the Bible my daughter is currently using and enjoying. She’s now 13, but she got this Bible when she was 12. It’s an NIV Bible with various pull-outs of text targeted to teen girls to help them go deeper.

The True Images Bible for Teen Girls is a

Because my son is only 9, I don’t have a favorite for teen boys or a gender neutral version. However, this “NIV Bible for Teen Guys” looks really similar to what my daughter has, just geared more for males. There is also the gender neutral “NIV Teen Study Bible.”

Along with reading the Bible together, take time to talk about what you’ve read. Mention relevant Bible lessons when your kiddos are struggling with something. For example, if one of my kids is afraid and stressed out at bedtime, I often remind them of my favorite Bible verse from Isaiah 41:10 (NIV), “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.” I have shared with both of my kiddos stories of how this verse has gotten me through various situations in life.

Try a devotion book.

This goes right along with being in God’s word together. There are a couple of ways this can work. You can read through a devotion book together as a family or read through a book separately and discuss it. Even if this isn’t something you do every day, give it a try.

We always go through a family devotion book together at Christmastime. We use “A Family Christmas,” which is a series of two five-minute Christmas devotion books for busy families I wrote because I couldn’t find one I liked very much for our family. “A Family Christmas Volume One” is ideal for families with preschool through early elementary children. “A Family Christmas Volume Two” works well for families with upper elementary through teens.

"A Family Christmas" devotion book volume 1 is ideal for families with children in preschool through early elementary.
A Family Christmas devotion book, volume 2, is ideal for families with upper elementary through teenage kiddos.

Try a journal and devotion book combo that get you into and talking about God’s Word through writing. My daughter and I published a faith-based mother and daughter shared journal last year called “Connecting with Grace.” It’s great for moms and daughters to get to know each other even better and share about everything from boys to school to faith and more.

Connecting with grace is a faith-based mother and daughter shared journal.

Another great option for moms and daughters is a devotion book from Stacey Pardoe and her tween daughter Bekah. “Girl to Girl” has 60 mother and daughter devotions designed to help moms and daughters deepen their faith and grow their relationships.

Girl to Girl is a devotion book for Christian moms and daughters to use together.

Go to church.

I know there can be many feelings around going to church. Unfortunately, some Christians don’t show the love of God as they are supposed to. But, being at church is important. The Bible tells us to meet together with fellow believers. Find a Bible-believing and preaching church for your entire family to get involved and grow in your spiritual walks together.

My husband and I pour so much into our children; however, having other Christians who pour into them as well is important. They hear other perspectives besides our own. And sometimes kiddos listen better to people other than their parents.

Bible verses about faith and trust

10 Bible verses and 3 songs to encourage you on your faith journey

God and I go way back. Honestly, I can’t remember a time in my life without Him, and I’m so thankful for that. Though I’ve been a Christian for decades, I still have times of wavering faith and trust. I have never turned my back on God. However, in hard times I have wondered how much I could truly trust Him. I’ve questioned whether my faith was strong enough.

And each time, I learned that I can trust Him completely. I can ask God for help with strengthening my faith when it starts getting shaky. If I can turn my eyes to look at Him instead of looking around me, my faith and trust are made stronger.

Just like with any relationship, our relationship with God is a day-by-day thing. I don’t mean that as in we need to doubt our salvation, but I do mean that in the way we choose each day (and sometimes each moment) to live in line with God or not. It’s our choice to make Him a big part of our lives or keep Him tucked away in a small corner of our lives.

A couple of things help me most when my faith and trust in God get shaky: Bible verses and music. I’m encouraged to realized that God clearly knew we’d have moments of weakness and doubt. He knew that we’d struggle with faith and trust. So He packed His Word full of verses to encourage us on our faith journey. God knows our weaknesses as humans, and He loves us anyway. He gives us the tools we need along the way. It’s just up to us to utilize them.

Bible verses about faith and trust

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)

I love this reminder of what just a teeny, tiny amount of faith can do! Have you seen a mustard seed? They are 0.1 inch in diameter! That’s tiny. Jesus is telling us here that even if our faith is small, it is still powerful. Can our faith be big? Of course! But even when it isn’t, it is still powerful.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

I struggle with confidence in myself. And sometimes that can influence the confidence I have in God. I can slip into a negative attitude like, “I know God can fix this, but I don’t think He will.” I don’t usually utter those words aloud, but God hears them in my heart. This verse, though, convicts my heart. Faith is being confident in the God we serve. I can’t be confident in myself and that I’ll always come out on top, but I can be confident God knows what He’s doing and will come out on top. I am assured and can be hopeful that no matter what life brings, God is there with me. What better description of faith is there?!

“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.” – Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Faith and trust really do go hand-in-hand. If we have faith in God and Who He is, then we can trust He will always be with us. Not only does this verse remind us we can have faith and trust in God, but it also tells us God is a God of hope. Trusting in Him will bring us joy and peace. And, finally, it reminds us that the power of the Holy Spirit can fill our hearts to overflowing with hope.

“‘Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” – Mark 10:52 (NIV)

This is one example of many in the New Testament where Jesus heals someone based on their faith. They truly believe in Him and His power. He sees our hearts and knows our faith. Does this mean we will always get what we want? No. Does it mean we will always be healed on earth? Also, no. But it does mean that God sees you and will reward your faith. It also means our faith is about following Jesus. Instead of running off to live his life in a way he’d only previously imagined, the former blind man immediately followed Jesus. He knew where his blessing and healing had come from. We, too, know where our blessings come from and can put our faith in Him!

“I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws.” – Psalm 119:30 (NIV)

Faithfulness is a way of life we can choose. We choose faith even when our faith is shaken and wavering. Sometimes when we go through the acts of faithfulness, it grows our faith. I have had times when my heart just wasn’t into worshipping God. Yet, I found myself drawn along in worship with other believers and before I knew it, God blessed my heart and encouraged me. Living the life we know God has called us lead will draw us closer to Him, even when we are resistant or out of sorts.

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” – Romans 10:17 (NIV)

I’ve been going to church my entire life. I cannot begin to tell you ever sermon I’ve heard preached or Sunday School lesson I’ve sat through. But, they have all impacted me. They have served to grow and strengthen my faith. This verse plainly tells us that faith comes from hearing the message, which is the word of Christ. Keep on reading God’s Word, meeting with His people and listening to music that focuses on Him to keep your faith in tact.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

The peace in this verse is like that talked about in Philippians 4:7. It is God’s peace that is beyond our understanding. When we trust in God, no matter how dire the circumstance is, He can give us peace that doesn’t make any sense. He can bring us comfort and assurance through every moment.

“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” – Psalm 9:10 (NIV)

This is a good verse to remember for those times you feel like giving up. I love the reminder to trust in God and in HIs name because He has never left me. Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past helps me have faith and trust in Him even more in the present.

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” – Psalms 56:3-4 (NIV)

My all-time favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 41:10, which reminds me that God is always with me and I don’t have to be afraid. These verses takes that even a step further. Not only can we trust in God when we’re afraid and have Him give us peace, but we can rest assured there is nothing of eternal consequence others can do to us. We sometimes need to hear the perspective that God is so much bigger than the hard times we go through.

“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)

Trusting in God looks like letting go of trying to make sense of things. If we are leaning on His understanding, then we are not leaning on our own. Faith and trust often don’t make a lot of logical sense. As we choose to follow God, we can decide He knows what He’s doing more than we can understand. Many times later on we are able to look back and see why He did things that didn’t makes sense at the time.

Faith and trust through music

When we are struggling with our faith and trust in God, remembering His past faithfulness is helpful. One lesson I have learned is God won’t ever leave me hanging. He has proven time and again that He’s right there with me every step of the way.

A couple of newer songs have recently really spoken this message to me. The first is “Yes He Can” by Cain. I love the message and reminder from this trio that God has always been there in the past and will be now.

Another song that speaks to my heart in so many ways is Bethel Music’s “Goodness of God.” It reminds us how God has always been faithful and so good. It’s one of my favorite songs!

Finally, Andrew Peterson has a song called “Faith to Be Strong” that has been out since 2000 and still inspires and uplifts me. I remember this song really touching my heart after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Sometimes more than anything, we just need to ask God for faith. Our Heavenly Father knows our faith and trust in Him can waver. He is ready to help us with both. It’s OK to be honest with Him about our feelings and ask for help!

Bible verses for when you feel like giving up

12 Bible verses to encourage and uplift you when you feel like giving up (With a free printable!)

One of the things I struggle most with is discouragement. Not only am I hard on myself, but I can easily get down on myself and start thinking that what I’m doing isn’t making a difference. I feel ready to give up on the task before me. Being completely honest, I’ve felt like giving up on this blog before. Every single time I start questioning whether I’m using my time wisely by pouring so much of myself into this, God reassures me that I am. Sometimes through music, sometimes through others, sometimes through a devotional and sometimes through His Word.

Turning to God and His Word is always the best place to start when you are feeling like giving up. But, I don’t always do that first. Through the years, I’ve learned to turn to Him sooner; however, it’s not always my first stop. I kind of like to wallow in self-pity a bit. So to help keep myself on track, I decided to look up some Bible verses for when you feel like giving up. I wanted to remind myself that God is for me, and He has a purpose for me. And so, I’m sharing those verses with you today.

Let them be a reminder to you (and to me!) that God is with us. He is for us and always has a plan for our good. His Holy Spirit will strengthen us each step of the way. If we are breathing, we have purpose. If the journey is difficult, we are growing. God is on the move, even when He feels far away.

Download a PDF with all 12 verses for free!

“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)

What if you give up the day before God has a big move planned? How sad that would be! God’s timing is always right. Sometimes we just have to keep waiting and working until it is time for harvest. This verse reminds us that we will be blessed if we don’t give up.

“Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” — Hebrews 12:3 (NIV)

If anyone had reason to give up, it was Jesus. He was beaten and punished while being completely innocent. Jesus is the Son of God and perfect, but He was also fully human. I have to think He was tempted to give up at times in His ministry. But He didn’t. He endured and pressed on to complete His purpose so that we might be saved. Our goal is to be like Jesus, so let us continue on even when we feel like giving up.

“And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” — 2 Thessalonians 3:13 (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)

I combined these two Bible verses for when you feel like giving up, because they go together. When I think about the command to not get tired of doing what is good, I know I can’t do that fully on my own. It’s less that I’m tempted to sin and more that I just plain get tired and weary. My burdens grow heavy and I get overwhelmed. But, verses like Psalm 28:7 remind me that I don’t have to do it on my own. God is with me. He is my strength and my shield. If I trust in Him, then He will help me. That is, indeed, something for which to praise Him!

“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)

This is my all-time favorite Bible verse. I’ve already shared it in six previous blog posts, in fact. But I have to share it again. When I feel like giving up, it isn’t necessarily that I’m afraid. So for this, I cling to the second sentence of this verse. God says He will make us stronger, help us and hold us up. I love to imagine myself snugly in the palm of God’s hand feeling strong, loved and protected. And when I do that, then I no longer feel like giving up.

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:14 (NIV)

Who doesn’t like a prize? This Bible verse reminds us that if we continue working toward the goals and purposes that God has for our lives, then He will reward us. He is not some miserly boss who wants us to work hard for meager pay. Jesus told us He went to prepare a place for us in heaven. That is the greatest prize and reward we have to look forward to.

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 1:6b (NIV)

The tasks God has given you to do He has given you for a purpose. Those tasks may seem small, like day-to-day care for our families. Or they may seem big, like running a ministry. But no matter what, God began a good work in you. He won’t stop now. He will continue His good work in you until it’s complete and you are with Him completely. We don’t have to give up when we know that we aren’t walking alone on our journey.

“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)

Being strong and courageous is sometimes more than we can manage on our own. Our strength and courage falter and we want to throw in the proverbial towel. But, we can rest in knowing that God is always with us and will always be with us wherever we go. We don’t have to be afraid or discouraged, both of which are two good pals with giving up!

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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 40:29-31 (NIV)

I couldn’t narrow this one down to just a single verse. This whole section is full of encouragement. When we feel like giving up, we are weary and weak. Those feeling don’t make us lesser than. In fact, even the youngest and strongest get weary and fall. But, trusting and hoping in the Lord will strengthen us. He replenishes our strength. And, here’s what I really love. In true God fashion, these verses promise not only that He will give us strength, but He’ll give us strength beyond what we ask for. We will be able to keep going and not get weary. In God, we can soar like eagles.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Nobody feels like giving up when they are energetic and on top of the world. So, I had to include Matthew 11:28 with the Bible verses for when you feel like giving up. Maybe instead of giving up, what you really need is a break. Run to Jesus. He will catch you, hold you and give you the rest you need. Then you will be renewed to keep going.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” — Colossians 3:32 (NIV)

If I’m working on something just for myself, I am much more tempted to quit. But if I’m doing something for my husband or children, I’ll keep going even when it’s uncomfortable and exhausting. (Remember the days of having a newborn? Talk about exhaustion!) So if I think about how all the work of my hands is actually for God, then I am incredibly motivated to keep going. I want to give Him my very best since He has given me everything.

“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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” — Hebrews 12:1-2a (NIV)

Who do you know or have you known that was a person of God? Someone who you knew was so in love with God that He radiated through them and all they did? Those people are examples for us. None of them were perfect. Not a one! But, we can still look to them for encouragement. I like to think of my grandparents and uncle hanging out in heaven and rooting for me to keep going on the journey God has for me. Regardless, I know that Jesus is rooting for each and every one of us:

Go, go, go! You can do this! You’ve got this! Here, take the Holy Spirit! He’ll help you! Keep going! I can’t wait until you get to the finish line and I can throw my arms around you! Go, go, go!

Download a PDF with all 12 verses for free!

Looking for more Bible verses and encouragement? Don’t miss these posts!

This growing collection of Bible verses is great for children! #Bible #BibleVerses #Truth #TruthTuesday #BibleVersesForKids #ChildrensMinistry #MemoryVerse #MemoryVerses

Learning to lean on God in darkness

A lesson I learned as a little girl has served me well

Growing up, we had a long (to my perception), dark hallway in our house. As a child with a good imagination, my imagination could get the best of me in that hallway and leave me frightened. I’d hurry down the hallway to get through it as fast as I could.

When I was in third grade, my Sunday School teacher taught us the first part of Isaiah 41:10, “So, do not fear for I am with you.” (She might have taught us the entire verse, but that is the part that stuck with me.)

From then on, I’d repeat that verse over and over to myself when I walked down that hallway. I continued doing so for a year or two until I was older and no longer afraid.

For years, I didn’t tell anyone this story. I wasn’t ashamed of it, but it just didn’t come up. I first wrote about this story as a high school student for a church youth newsletter I started and edited.

After my mom read the story, she immediately told me she wished that I’d have told her and she could have put a light in that hallway. (In fact, later on she had put a light in that hallway.) I assured her it was fine.

In the years since then, though, this lesson has stayed with me. Isaiah 41:10 continues to be my favorite Bible verse. I’ve learned the entire verse and carried it with me through many situations much more frightening than that dark hallway in my childhood home.

Teaching my children to lean on God

Now that I’m a mom myself, I think about this lesson from a new perspective. Would I have learned to rely on God when I’m scared so early on without this experience? I’m not so sure. It was a small situation that was big to me and first taught me how when I’m scared I can turn to God.

I question whether I am instilling these lessons in my own children now. I am reminded that while I want to make their lives incredibly easy and without struggle, that isn’t always best for them because life doesn’t work that way.

Learning to lean on God when I’m afraid is a lesson I am so glad to have learned. Getting outside of our fear and clinging to the One Who holds us in His hand is sometimes quite difficult. I pray that my children will learn this lesson since our God can comfort and protect them in more ways than I can.

Feeling thankful for adversity

Paul tells us to be thankful for our adversities. That can be incredibly hard to do. I have had times in my life where looking back later, I completely understood and felt thankful for past adversities. This dark hallway fear is an adversity from childhood for which I am thankful. I learned how to lean on God in the darkness, and that’s served me incredibly well.

The darkness — both literal and figurative — can be such a scary place. We can feel alone and our anxiety can be intense. It’s easy to have our imaginations and thoughts spiral into a very dark place.

However, we do have One Who is with us in the darkness, even when we may not understand it or feel He is missing. He remains faithful and true in spite of our feelings. And God has given us His Word to encourage and remind us Who we most need to put our trust in, even in the darkest of times.