Top 7 Bible Verses About Having Strength Through Tough Times

Everyone faces challenges and hardships at different points in their lives, but the important thing is to continue to trust God in the midst of those storms. What seems terrible to us, is nothing for the Lord, as he starts with the impossible. He has given us his word to encourage us during those trials as well. With that in mind, here are my top 7 Bible verses about having strength through tough times.

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” 

It is so encouraging for me to know that when difficulties come my way, the Lord is my refuge and my strength. I can run to his arms for comfort and safety at all times, as he is always there for me. The phrase “very present” brings peace as well, because we don’t have to wait our turn to go to him. God is always there for us when we need him.

Isaiah 40:29 “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” 

If you have ever felt faint, you know the total weakness that overcomes you at that moment. It is during that crucial time, though, that the Lord comes in and strengthens us. He brings us renewed hope and stamina in order to continue in our life’s journey. Even when we are at our lowest point, he lifts us up into his loving arms and restores us back to normalcy.

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.” 

This is a very well-known verse, as it brings much prophetic hope to us during tough times. It is also a reminder that when we wait for God to show up in our circumstances, that he will then renew our strength. All we have to do is wait on him, and he will lift us up like the eagles who fly above the storm clouds and the winds. How encouraging it is to know that with God’s help we will not grow weary or faint. We will be able to walk and run again to face life’s challenges.

Jeremiah 16:19a “O Lord, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of trouble….” 

Tough times are inevitable, so I love what the prophet Jeremiah shares with us in this verse. He reminds us that God is our refuge and our stronghold—a strong tower that we can run to and be safe. The Lord is also our source of strength even when we feel overwhelmed by the trials and difficulties that we face.

Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” 

“God is good all the time. All the time God is good.” Haven’t we all said these affirmations before, as we declare God’s faithfulness? I have said this many times, and I believe it with all of my heart. In our lives we will have trouble, but we also know that we can go to the Lord for protection and comfort. He knows us intimately, and he still loves and cares for us very much. Because he is so good, we can take refuge in him.

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” 

This is one of my favorite verses of all times, because when I have faced what seemed like impossible situations it has been the Lord who strengthened me. He helped me overcome whatever difficulty or challenge I was experiencing at the time. God also renewed my sense of hope and even gave me his joy in the midst of it all. When I was 10 years old, I was trying to learn how to do a backwards dive, but I was too afraid to try it. Then this verse came to mind that I had learned a few years before, and I was suddenly overcome with the belief that I could do it. I immediately tried one more time, and I was wonderfully successful. Ever since then, when I face challenges or tough times that seem impossible to me, I remember this verse.

I Peter 5:10 “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 

Suffering is a part of the human condition, and going through tough times also seems inevitable. However, I like what the apostle Peter tells us here, as he reminds us that our trials are only for a little while. God is full of grace, and he will come to our rescue. He will also restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us by his power if we submit to him.

CONCLUSION 

God is always calling us to follow him—in the good times and in the tough times. He has also given us his word to encourage and inspire us when the road gets hard. Like Paul writes in Colossians 1:11, “May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” So even when we face the storms in our lives, God will always strengthen us and give us the endurance and patience with joy that we need. What a blessing that is!

Written by Karla Hawkins

God has been good to me over the years, and I have much for which to be grateful to Him. First of all, I feel blessed to be the pastor’s wife of a thriving church in northern Michigan and the mother of four amazing grown children. It is also very rewarding to be a Christian author, editor and translator for the Kingdom of God. Some of my favorite pastimes include supporting my children’s contemporary Christian band ONLY9AM, singing on the worship team at church, traveling, and connecting with family and friends via social media. When I am not working, I love spending time with my family and especially with my precious three-year-old grandson.