Bible Verses About Strength In Hard Times
The bible has answers for how we can obtain strength to go through hard times. Besides just going through the hard times, the bible teaches us the kind of attitude, the hope and the comfort we can obtain from Jesus to help us through those hard times.
Hard Times Are Unavoidable
The bible verse below here tell us that are followers of Jesus, it is expected that we will suffer persecution and undergo trials.
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)
12 Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. 13 But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:12–13)
Jesus' Warning About The End Times
Jesus had warned us in the bible that in this world we will have trouble. He also talked about the end times (also known as Judgment Day or his Second Coming). Those end times are very difficult days of distress. Thus we should not be surprised when life sometimes get harder.
33 "I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
19 "For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be." (Mark 13:19, KJV)
23 But you watch. “Behold, I have told you all things beforehand. 24 But in those days, after that oppression, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, 25 the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out his angels, and will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky." (Mark 13:23–27)
When Our Own Strength Fails Us
Do you ever feel weak in hard times? It is a feeling like you are not able to go on anymore, or not able to go to work, or unable to get up from the bed in the morning. The bible verse below says that if we are faint in the time of trouble, our strength is small.
10 If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small. (Proverbs 24:10)
As we are only humans, our own strength can fail us.
As the bible verse below in Psalm 71:9 says, our strength can fail us
Or sometimes, our strength is taken up by other people.
9 Don’t reject me in my old age. Don’t forsake me when my strength fails. (Psalm 71:9)
9 Strangers have devoured his strength, and he doesn’t realize it. Indeed, gray hairs are here and there on him, and he doesn’t realize it. (Hosea 7:9)
Sometimes the strength we need is not in terms of muscle strength or physical strength, because our bodies may be working well, but our spirits may feel weak. The bible verse below says that this strength from God is eternal, it is for us, and it can still strengthen our hearts even when our bodies are weak.
26 My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)
Sometimes, the people we trust to help us through fails us too. As mentioned in the bible verses below, man can fail us, and so can our wealth and power.
5 The LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man, relies on strength of flesh, and whose heart departs from The LORD." (Jeremiah 17:5)
19 Would your wealth sustain you in distress, or all the might of your strength? (Job 36:19)
16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an army. A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. 17 A horse is a vain thing for safety, neither does he deliver any by his great power. 18 Behold, The LORD’s eye is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his loving kindness, 19 to deliver their soul from death, to keep them alive in famine. (Psalm 33:16–19)
Seek The LORD's Strength
The bible teaches us to seek strength from the LORD, as the bible verses below encourage us to. It also says in Psalm 84:5 that those whose strength are in The LORD are blessed. Even though these people go through hard times (verse 6), they are strengthened as they go through those hard places and they receive blessings from God.
11 Seek The LORD and his strength. Seek his face forever more. (1 Chronicles 16:11)
4 Seek The LORD and his strength. Seek his face forever more. (Psalm 105:4)
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on a pilgrimage. 6 Passing through the valley of Weeping, they make it a place of springs. Yes, the autumn rain covers it with blessings. 7 They go from strength to strength. Every one of them appears before God in Zion. (Psalm 84:5–7)
Jesus Can Give Us Strength
Thanks be to God, that through his word in the bible, we have hope to obtain strength in our daily lives through Jesus. In the bible verses below in Micah 5:4, Jesus was prophesied to shepherd his people with the strength from God.
4 He shall stand, and shall shepherd in the strength of The LORD, in the majesty of the name of The LORD his God. They will live, for then he will be great to the ends of the earth. (Micah 5:4)
Strength Can Be Renewed By Coming Near To God
The bible verse below talks about people renewing their strength by coming near to God. May this post help you to understand more about what the bible says about this topic. May you take a minute now to quiet down your heart before God, so that his words can speak to you.
1 Keep silent before me, islands, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come near, then let them speak. Let’s meet together for judgment. (Isaiah 41:1)
To understand more about how we can obtain strength from Jesus, let's first take a look at God's strength.
God's Strength
The bible verses below describe about God's strength. God is the originator of strength itself!
9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: For God is my defence. (Psalm 59:9, KJV)
4 God is wise in heart, and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against him and prospered? (Job 9:4)
16 With him is strength and wisdom. The deceived and the deceiver are his. (Job 12:16)
5 Behold, God is mighty, and doesn’t despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding. (Job 36:5)
1 The LORD reigns! He is clothed with majesty! The LORD is armed with strength. The world also is established. It can’t be moved. (Psalm 93:1)
God Has The Power To Give Us Strength
The bible verses here tell us that God has the ability and power to give us strength. He can strengthen us through the hard times.
28 Your God has commanded your strength. Strengthen, God, that which you have done for us. (Psalm 68:28)
5 I am The LORD, and there is no one else. Besides me, there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not known me, 6 that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is no one besides me. I am The LORD, and there is no one else. (Isaiah 45:5–6)
11 The LORD said, “Most certainly I will strengthen you for good. Most certainly I will cause the enemy to make supplication to you in the time of evil and in the time of affliction. (Jeremiah 15:11)
1 He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. (Luke 1:51)
God Is My Strength
There are many people who have experienced God's strength in their lives. Some of them shared their experiences in the bible verses below. Have you experienced God's strength in your lives before? If not, would you like to experience God's strength?
2 The LORD is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. (Exodus 15:2)
1 Blessed be the Lord my strength, Which teacheth my hands to war, And my fingers to fight: (Psalm 144:1, KJV)
30 For by you, I run against a troop. By my God, I leap over a wall. (2 Samuel 22:30)
29 For by you, I advance through a troop. By my God, I leap over a wall. (Psalm 18:29)
1 I love you, The LORD, my strength. (Psalm 18:1)
2 For you are the God of my strength. Why have you rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? (Psalm 43:2)
14 The LORD is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. (Psalm 118:14)
4 For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the dreaded ones is like a storm against the wall. (Isaiah 25:4)
24 They will say of me, ‘There is righteousness and strength only in The LORD.’ Even to him will men come. All those who raged against him will be disappointed. (Isaiah 45:24)
4 But I said, “I have labored in vain. I have spent my strength in vain for nothing; yet surely the justice due to me is with The LORD, and my reward with my God.” 5 Now The LORD, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, says to bring Jacob again to him, and to gather Israel to him, for I am honorable in The LORD’s eyes, and my God has become my strength. (Isaiah 49:4–5)
19 The LORD, my strength, my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the nations will come to you from the ends of the earth, and will say, “Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, vanity and things in which there is no profit. 20 Should a man make to himself gods which yet are no gods?” 21 “Therefore behold, I will cause them to know, this once I will cause them to know my hand and my might. Then they will know that my name is The LORD.” (Jeremiah 16:19–21)
19 The LORD, the Lord, is my strength. He makes my feet like deer’s feet, and enables me to go in high places. For the music director, on my stringed instruments. (Habakkuk 3:19)
33 God is my strength and power: And he maketh my way perfect. (2 Samuel 22:33, KJV)
2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. (Psalm 18:2, KJV)
19 But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me. (Psalm 22:19, KJV)
God Is Our Help In Hard Times
When we think of having strength to go through hard times, we also think about the help that we would like to have. God is a very present help in times of trouble, according to the bible verse below in Psalm 46:1. He is also a stronghold or a place of security for his people as mentioned in Joel 3:16.
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
16 The LORD will roar from Zion, and thunder from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth will shake; but The LORD will be a refuge to his people, and a stronghold to the children of Israel. (Joel 3:16)
God Is With Us During Hard Times
Maybe the hardest thing is just feeling alone going through this hard time. Thanks be to God that through his words of truth in the bible, he tells us that He is with us, we are not alone, he will not leave us nor forsake us.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)
5 Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.” 6 So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
(Hebrews 13:5–6)
How Jesus Found Strength In Hard Times
Let's now take a minute and look at how Jesus carried on in strength during the hardest time any human can go through. What was Jesus going through at that time? Jesus is fully God and fully man, but the hardest time and darkest time of his life was when he had to be crucified and bear the sins of the entire human race, including yours and mine.
6 For while we were yet weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)
When Jesus undertook that suffering, he is fully aware of what he is going to go through, yet he did it willingly and out of his GREAT love for us.
The bible verse here below showed how great a distress Jesus was in during his prayer at the garden of Gethsemane, before the soldiers came in surprise for him, he already knew all that were about to take place.
I can think of the hard times I have been through but it has never been that extremely stressful till I sweat blood like Jesus.
Jesus was in such great agony that his sweat become like great drops of blood (hematohidrosis)- a medical condition which can occur under extreme stress. (Interesting that this account from the bible was written by Luke the physician- disciple of Jesus)
44 Being in agony, he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. (Luke 22:44)
Jesus had to experience the pain of losing the presence of God the Father during his punishment so that we don't have to go through that. Jesus also bore the pain of all the sins of mankind onto himself, a mental, emotional, spiritual and physical torture that led to his death.
But thanks be to God, Jesus rose back to life 3 days after he was buried and He has now overcome death and he is now at the right hand of God interceding for our behalf.
Jesus Prayed In Hard Times
Jesus has a regular habit of praying to God daily in his ministry. Even Jesus who is the Son of the Living God and who is fully God has to pray in hard times. How much so do we have to pray too! A prayer does not have to be long, it can be just what you want to say to God.
During Jesus' hardest time of his life, even as the bible verses here below say that he was feeling exceedingly sorrowful even to the point of death, he still prayed for God's will to be done, though he asked if God can remove the cup of suffering from him.
However, Jesus understood that if God does not remove the cup of suffering from him, it is God's will that Jesus goes through the suffering, Jesus would like God's will be done.
How great a trust in God the Father that our Lord Jesus has!
Thus, in our hard times, we can pray to God and ask him to remove our suffering but only if it is his will, not ours be done.
34 He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.” 35 He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him. 36 He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I desire, but what you desire.” (Mark 14:34–36)
42 Again, a second time he went away and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink it, your desire be done.” (Matthew 26:42)
41 He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:41–42)
Pray By Pouring Out Your Heart To God
The bible verses below encourage us to pour out our hearts to God and trust in him at all times, even hard times. To read more about trusting God, click here.
7 My salvation and my honor is with God. The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 8 Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Selah. (Psalm 62:7–8)
Pray To God To Keep Us From The Evil One
In John 17:15 below, Jesus prayed to God to keep his people from the evil one. As Satan is still in the world today and we will have to wait till Jesus comes again (the Second Coming) to put Satan under his feet, we can pray to God to keep us from falling into the evil one's schemes and to ask God to protect us from the Evil One. God is gracious and able to keep us from the evil one.
During hard times, like the bible verses below, besides asking God for strength, we can ask God to keep us from the evil one.
15 "I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one. " (John 17:15)
Be Strong And Put On God's Armor
The bible also teaches us to put on God's armor on a daily basis. People put on armor when they are going to war. The bible tells us that we have a spiritual warfare going on and thus we need to be strong in the LORD and put on God's whole armor.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace, 16 above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:10–18)
Pray And Ask God To Give You Strength
When we are suffering, the following bible verses encourage us to pray to God to ask him to give us strength, to show us grace, to have mercy on us and to help us.
13 Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises. (James 5:13)
16 Turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give your strength to your servant. Save the son of your servant. (Psalm 86:16)
3 In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul. (Psalm 138:3)
2 The LORD, be gracious to us. We have waited for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble. (Isaiah 33:2)
9 Awake, awake, put on strength, arm of The LORD! Awake, as in the days of old, the generations of ancient times. Isn’t it you who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the monster? (Isaiah 51:9)
Jesus' Advice For Us To Keep Alert And Pray
Jesus encouraged us to stay alert and pray, as we do not know when those will occur in the bible verses below.
32 But of that day or that hour no one knows—not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is. (Mark 13:32-33)
Jesus' Attitude Of Strength In Hard Times
After praying in sorrow and asking for God's will and not his own will be done, Jesus faced his torment with great courage and strength. As the bible verse below show, Jesus has accepted God's will as his own will after he prayed and he rose up with strength to face the torment ahead.
42 Arise! Let’s get going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand. (Mark 14:42)
Our Attitude Of Strength In Hard Times
What does an attitude of strength looks like during hard times? The bible verses below can encourage us to have an attitude of courage, strength from God, love and self control.
We can continue in this attitude during hard times, and it can help us get through it with the right mindset. The bible verses in 1 Peter 1:13-16 also tell us to be sober, set our minds on the hope from God's grace through Jesus and to be holy in all that we do.
By exercising self control and not engaging in unhealthy habits, we will be more able to deal with the challenges as well.
7 For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)
13 Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober, and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ— 14 as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance, 15 but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior, 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:13–16)
The Joy Of The Lord Is Our Strength In Hard Times
When we choose to be joyful in the Lord, we can also find strength to face the challenges, as the bible verse below states.
10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don’t be grieved, for the joy of The LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
Jesus' Desire To Glorify God During Hard Times
The bible verse below in John 17:1 shows how Jesus knows the time has come and his desire was to glorify God through it.
1 Jesus said these things, then lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you;" (John 17:1)
How Jesus Kept Going In Hard Times
What kept Jesus going during those long, hot, tiring, hungry and challenging times? The bible verse below showed Jesus' mindset during those times. He said doing the will of God who sent him is his food, and so is accomplishing God's work.
Jesus is focused on the task at hand with the desire to do the task sent by God well. He did not complain or dwell on how hard it is.
34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work." (John 4:34)
Jesus' Comfort For Us In Hard Times
As Jesus himself have went through extreme suffering and he is also God, he is able to comfort us and provide us the rest that we need. In Matthew 11:28-30 below, Jesus mentioned to yoke ourselves to him for his yoke is easy and his burden is light.
When we yoke ourselves to Jesus, we are going through the hard times with him right beside us, and putting our trust in him to give us the strength to pull through. Jesus also told us to learn from him to be gentle and humble in heart and that can be rest for our souls.
33 "I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
28 “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)
Trusting God In Uncertain And Hard Times
Trusting God Gives Us Strength In Hard Times
What do you tend to do in times of uncertainties. It is easy these days to just go on Google and search for any questions that we have, however even knowing some Googled answers do not give us the peace that we need.
Putting our trust in God during hard and uncertain times can give us strength and peace. As the following bible verses tell us, God is the never changing certainty, an everlasting Rock, and our strength will lie in quietness and in confidence in the Lord.
4 Trust in The LORD forever; for in The LORD, GOD, is an everlasting Rock. (Isaiah 26:4)
15 For thus said the Lord The LORD, the Holy One of Israel, “You will be saved in returning and rest. Your strength will be in quietness and in confidence.” You refused, (Isaiah 30:15)
Trusting That Jesus' Grace Will Be Sufficient For Us
We can put our trust in Jesus during hard times that his grace will be sufficient for us to get through the difficulties. When our own strength fails and when we feel weak, that is when Jesus' strength and power can be shown through us.
When Paul went on to say that therefore he takes pleasure in his weaknesses and in his difficulties when he works for Jesus, because he experiences Jesus' strength during those times of weaknesses.
8 Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:8–9)
10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
Faith In Jesus Gives Us Strength In Hard Times
The bible verses below tell us in verse 19 of Ephesians 1 that there is great power for us who believe in Jesus, with the strength from God that resurrected Jesus from the dead and made Jesus sit at God's right hand at the heavenly places far above everything that has power forever.
15 For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you and the love which you have toward all the saints, 16 don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might 20 which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. (Ephesians 1:15–21)
Strength To Wait In Hard Times
How can we find strength to wait in hard times? The bible verse below encourage us to wait for The Lord. We do not know when that is, but when we wait for the Lord, we are putting our trust that he can answer us in his time and that time would be the right time.
29 He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might. 30 Even the youths faint and get weary, and the young men utterly fall; 31 but those who wait for The LORD will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:29–31)
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can’t find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
Jesus Gives Us Strength In Hard Times
What can be the worst thing in hard times that will happen to us and our loved ones? Death for sure. The bible verses below comfort us that Jesus told us that whoever believes in him will still live and never die.
Thus, because of the promises to be raised to life again from our Lord Jesus, we can be reminded of our eternal destiny. This challenge or hard times right now will pale in comparison to the eternal resurrected immortal life we will enjoy in future with Jesus.
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. 26 Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26)
8 For we don’t desire to have you uninformed, brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia: that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead, 10 who delivered us out of so great a death, and does deliver, on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us, 11 you also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift given to us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on your behalf. (2 Corinthians 1:8–12)
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 4:14)
In your hard times, how can you obtain wisdom or wise guidance so that you can have the strength to go through it and be victorious?
14 Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power. (Proverbs 8:14)
19 Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. (Ecclesiastes 7:19)
16 Then I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. (Ecclesiastes 9:16)
5 A wise man has great power. A knowledgeable man increases strength, 6 for by wise guidance you wage your war, and victory is in many advisors. (Proverbs 24:5–6)
Wisdom Comes From Fearing God
There is a kind of wisdom that is demonic and earthly, according to the bible verses below in James 3:15. But the wisdom that is from God comes through learning to fear and revere God in our lives.
If we lack wisdom, we can ask God to give it to us, as James 1:5 below states that God will give generously to anyone who asks of him.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (James 3:13–17)
7 The fear of The LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)
10 The fear of The LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)
10 The fear of The LORD is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do his work have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! (Psalm 111:10)
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. (James 1:5–6)
What Do We Do With All Of Our Strength?
Jesus taught us in the bible verses below that we shall love God with all of our strength and all of our heart, mind and soul as well! This gives us a purpose of our strength.
30 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 The second is like this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30–31)
Warning For Forgetting God As Our Strength
The bible warns us when we forget about God as our strength, we can become weaker (see Isaiah 17:10-11). Habakkuk 1:11 below mentioned that when we idolize our strength (or giving thanks to idols for our strength), it is also a sin.
10 For you have forgotten the God of your salvation, and have not remembered the rock of your strength. Therefore you plant pleasant plants, and set out foreign seedlings. 11 In the day of your planting, you hedge it in. In the morning, you make your seed blossom, but the harvest flees away in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow. (Isaiah 17:10-11)
11Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, Imputing this his power unto his god. (Habakkuk 1:11, KJV)
11 Then they sweep by like the wind and go on. They are indeed guilty, whose strength is their god. (Habakkuk 1:11)
God's Strength Gives Peace And Joy
As the bible verses below in Psalm 29:11 and Psalm 28:7-8 share, when we seek and receive strength from The LORD, we can also experience his peace and joy too. This joy and peace from the LORD can help us to go through the hard times.
11 The LORD will give strength to his people. The LORD will bless his people with peace. (Psalm 29:11)
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him. 8 The LORD is their strength. He is a stronghold of salvation to his anointed. (Psalm 28:7–8)
Fear Not With God's Strength In Hard Times
The bible verses here also tell us that we do not have to be afraid during those times, as The LORD is our strength and our help during those times.
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
2 Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for You, O LORD, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2)
10 Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10)
How can we respond to God in hard times, after receiving strength from him, and experiencing his joy, peace and help?
Recognizing & Thanking God For Strength
The bible verses below tell us that we can ascribe (acknowledge, give praises due) to God for the strength that he has given us. We can sing to him, tell others about his help, acknowledge his help and share with the next generation of his strength.
27 Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and gladness are in his place. 28 Ascribe to The LORD, you families of the peoples, ascribe to The LORD glory and strength! (1 Chronicles 16:27–28)
2 From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength, because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger. (Psalm 8:2)
17 For you are the glory of their strength. In your favor, our horn will be exalted. 18 For our shield belongs to The LORD, our king to the Holy One of Israel. 19 Then you spoke in vision to your saints, and said, “I have given strength to the warrior. I have exalted a young man from the people." (Psalm 89:17–19)
16 But I will sing of your strength. Yes, I will sing aloud of your loving kindness in the morning. For you have been my high tower, a refuge in the day of my distress. 17 To you, my strength, I will sing praises. For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy. (Psalm 59:16–17)
34 Ascribe strength to God! His excellency is over Israel, his strength is in the skies. 35 You are awesome, God, in your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people. Praise be to God! (Psalm 68:34–35)
18 Yes, even when I am old and gray-haired, God, don’t forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come. (Psalm 71:18)
1 Sing aloud to God, our strength! Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob! (Psalm 81:1)
Serving God In Hard Times To Glorify Him
The bible verse below also encourage us to serve with the strength from God, so that in all that we do, we can glorify God through Jesus Christ, and to give him back all the glory that belongs to him.
11 If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11)
Encouragement For Women For Strength In Hard Times
The following bible verses talk about the Proverbs 31 model woman who is strong, because she fears the LORD. Not following the damsel in distress model in many fairy tales, this Proverbs 31 woman has strength, dignity and she is not afraid of the future. Because she trusts in the LORD.
17 She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong. (Proverbs 31:17)
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come. (Proverbs 31:25)
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears The LORD, she shall be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)
My hope is that this post will help you to turn to God for strength during this hard time you are experiencing. You are welcome to use the following prayer guide to ask God for strength.
Bible version: the public domain World English Bible (WEB) has been used throughout this post. The WEB translation of "Yahweh" has been changed to "the LORD" which is more familiar to most readers.
