Guest post by Kris McCormick. Scriptures are from the KJV or NIV.
What does the Bible say about hope in hard times? Lots.
Because unfortunately, life often doesn’t follow the plan you envisioned. Finding the strength to pull yourself through can be challenging, especially when you feel like you’re losing hope. Or that you’ve already lost it.
Luckily the Bible contains a plethora of scriptures to comfort you. Reading the Bible can also uplift your spirits and restore your hope.
Here are 27 scriptures to read when losing hope during difficult times.
Old Testament Bible Verses About Hope In Hard Times
1. Deuteronomy 31:8
“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
2. Psalm 16:8
“I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
3. Psalm 39:7
“But now, LORD, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”
4. Psalm 119:147
“I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.”
5. Isaiah 40:31
“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
6. Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
7. Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
8. Job 14:7-9
“Indeed there is hope for a tree. If it’s cut down and still sprouting and its shoots don’t fail, if its roots age in the ground and its stump dies in the dust, at the scent of water, it will bud and produce sprouts like a plant.”
9. Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
10. Psalm 33:20-22
“We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”
New Testament Bible Verses About Hope In Hard Times
11. Ephesians 4:4
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called.”
12. Mark 11:24
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.”
13. Luke 1:37
“For nothing will be impossible with God.”
14. 1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
15. Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
16. Romans 12:12
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
17. Romans 8:25
“But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
18. Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
19. Hebrews 10:23
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
20. Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
21. 1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptations can seize you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
22. 1 Corinthians 13:13
“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
23. 2 Corinthians 12:9
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
24. James 5:13
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.”
25. Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
26. Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
27. Philippians 4:19
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for some hope in hard times, know that your Bible will always be there for you to draw upon strength.
What scriptures stand out to you? What verse would you add to this list?
Bio
Kris McCormick is a boy mama, wife, and blogger. Since becoming a mom seven years ago, she’s been researching the best advice, resources, and baby gear from small businesses to make pregnancy and child-raising easier for all parents. You can read more about Kris here.