We pray that you're off to a powerful day and if not, we have strength scriptures that are sure to get your spiritual engines powered up. Our encouraging bible verses about strength in hard times are here to help you build your strength and courage to go through even the toughest of battles in the hardest of times. We all go through hard times, and struggle at times. In all of this, we have comfort and encouragement in the scriptures that we will never go through this life alone. Here are our amazing bible verses for strength in hard times that will inspire courage and boldness in your life in Jesus' Mighty Name. Here's to your encouragement in trusting God in difficult times in life. Enjoy.
By Apostle Quinson Thomas. Updated on November 28, 2025.
The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.
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. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
God's Secrets to strength and encouragement are in His Word so in your bible reading, meditate and pray about what you read because God has a way of hiding things in the bible just for you. God can give you strength whether you're an athlete or a poet. Proverbs 25:2 declares that it is the glory of God to hide a matter but it's the glory of kings to search it out. In your daily devotional time or bible study, may you search out the hidden gems in the scriptures and find the strength in the Bible verses that God hid for you in Jesus' Name.
Encouraging Bible Verses For Hard Times:
A Powerful Hard Time Scripture For You To Memorize:
If you're going though a hard time, may these be a great blessing to you.
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.
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
More strength in hard times Bible verses:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Bible verse about staying strong through tough times:
Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
Thought provoking difficult time quotes about strength and courage:
May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
| Church Father | View on Strength in Hard Times |
|---|---|
| Ignatius of Antioch | Ignatius taught that strength in trials comes from clinging to Christ with steadfast faith. He believed suffering becomes bearable when united to the Lord’s own passion. True strength, he said, is the courage born from hope in the resurrection. |
| Polycarp of Smyrna | Polycarp taught that endurance in hardship is a gift of God’s sustaining grace. He believed believers are strengthened by remembering Christ’s faithfulness unto death. Strength, for him, is the quiet confidence that God rewards steadfast perseverance. |
| Irenaeus of Lyons | Irenaeus taught that strength in adversity comes from trusting God’s providential work in shaping the soul. He believed suffering refines believers and restores them to God’s likeness. Strength, he said, grows as the soul learns to rest in God’s goodness. |
| Clement of Alexandria | Clement taught that trials train the Christian in discipline and virtue. He believed strength comes from knowledge of God and detachment from worldly fears. Hard times, he said, become a school for the soul’s perfection. |
| Origen | Origen taught that adversity purifies the heart and strengthens faith when received with prayer. He believed the soul grows strong by surrendering its fears to God. Strength, he said, is found in the inner transformation produced by divine grace. |
| Athanasius | Athanasius taught that strength in hardship is rooted in Christ’s victory over sin and death. He believed believers endure because Christ shares His life and power with them. Strength, he said, flows from union with the conquering Savior. |
| Basil the Great | Basil taught that strength comes through steadfast prayer and the support of the Christian community. He believed hardships reveal God’s ability to uphold the humble. Strength, he said, is the fruit of a disciplined heart anchored in hope. |
| Gregory of Nazianzus | Gregory taught that strength in trials arises from contemplation of God’s majesty and love. He believed hardships lift the believer’s eyes from earthly concerns to eternal realities. For him, endurance is born from trusting God’s wise purposes. |
| John Chrysostom | Chrysostom taught that strength in suffering grows through patience, prayer, and gratitude. He believed trials purify the soul and reveal God’s faithfulness. True strength, he said, is the bravery of a heart that trusts God amid storms. |
| Augustine of Hippo | Augustine taught that strength comes from God’s grace working in human weakness. He believed hard times reveal the insufficiency of self-reliance and the necessity of divine help. Strength, he said, is perfected when the soul depends wholly on God. |
And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
It is our prayer that these Scriptures for strength in hard times below will be an inspiration to you and help you to rely on God's strength in every season of your life.
Sometimes what helps is simply to get one bible verse and then focus in on that verse until God speaks to you. We now also have prayers for strength available here.
Because it's when He speaks to you that victory will come into your life. It's then that God's strength is made available to you. His voice is like HIs righteous right hand being outstretched to you. So enjoy the following strength bible verses as you trust God for your strength and victory in Jesus' Mighty Name. May these strengthening verses in the bible give you hope and power to serve the Lord in victory and gladness in Jesus' Name.
For Inspiration In Difficult Times:
| Scholar (Before 1920) | View on Strength in Hard Times (with Scripture Reference) |
|---|---|
| John Chrysostom (347–407) | Chrysostom taught that divine strength meets believers in suffering when they yield their will to God. He emphasized that hardship becomes a teacher of virtue, forming patience and holiness. (2 Corinthians 12:9) |
| Augustine of Hippo (354–430) | Augustine argued that strength in adversity is God’s gift, not human attainment, enabling perseverance through grace. He held that trials reveal the soul’s dependence on God’s sustaining presence. (Psalm 27:1) |
| Jerome (347–420) | Jerome taught that Scripture itself imparts strength by grounding the mind in God’s promises. He believed hardships refine faith and anchor the believer deeper into divine truth. (Psalm 119:28) |
| Theodoret of Cyrus (393–458) | Theodoret held that suffering is permitted to cultivate courage and reliance on God. He saw trials as instruments of divine training for greater spiritual maturity. (Isaiah 40:31) |
| Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) | Aquinas taught that fortitude is infused by God to help believers endure trials without losing virtue. He emphasized that divine strength perfects human weakness. (Philippians 4:13) |
| John Wycliffe (1320–1384) | Wycliffe stressed that Scripture equips believers with unshakeable courage in affliction. True strength arises from trusting God rather than earthly security. (Psalm 46:1) |
| John Huss (1369–1415) | Huss wrote that suffering for righteousness brings divine strengthening through the Holy Spirit. He saw endurance in hardship as a mark of true discipleship. (1 Peter 4:12–13) |
| Martin Luther (1483–1546) | Luther taught that trials strip away self-reliance so the believer clings solely to God’s Word. Strength comes by faith resting in God’s promises amid distress. (Psalm 118:14) |
| Philip Melanchthon (1497–1560) | Melanchthon argued that God uses hardship to purify trust, leading believers to find power in prayer and Scripture. He held that divine help is nearest in times of weakness. (Hebrews 4:16) |
| John Calvin (1509–1564) | Calvin wrote that suffering is divinely appointed to shape endurance and godliness. He emphasized that believers receive strength through the Spirit’s inward consolation. (Romans 5:3–5) |
| Theodore Beza (1519–1605) | Beza taught that affliction reveals the firmness of faith, drawing the believer into deeper dependence on Christ. Strength grows as the heart submits to God’s will. (Psalm 34:19) |
| Richard Hooker (1554–1600) | Hooker held that God’s grace supplies inward strength that steadies believers during affliction. He viewed trials as the context where divine comfort becomes most visible. (2 Corinthians 1:3–4) |
| Matthew Henry (1662–1714) | Henry emphasized that God’s promises provide courage and stability in adversity. He taught that believers grow strong by meditating on God’s faithfulness during trials. (Joshua 1:9) |
| Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) | Edwards argued that suffering magnifies God’s sufficiency and produces spiritual resilience. True strength flows from a supernatural delight in God even in distress. (Habakkuk 3:17–19) |
| John Wesley (1703–1791) | Wesley taught that God strengthens the believer through prayer, holiness, and reliance on the Spirit in times of trial. He saw hardship as a context for perfected faith. (Isaiah 41:10) |
| Charles Simeon (1759–1836) | Simeon believed trials are designed to humble believers and drive them to divine help. Strength is imparted as the soul waits quietly before God. (Psalm 37:7) |
| Adam Clarke (1760–1832) | Clarke taught that strength in trouble comes from God’s active involvement in the believer’s life. He stressed that trusting God’s character produces courage. (Psalm 29:11) |
| Albert Barnes (1798–1870) | Barnes saw hardship as a divine discipline that matures faith and deepens dependence on God. He taught that Scripture provides enduring strength in these seasons. (Hebrews 12:5–7) |
| Joseph Benson (1749–1821) | Benson wrote that believers receive renewed strength through the Spirit’s inward ministry during trials. Perseverance is evidence of God’s sustaining grace. (2 Thessalonians 3:3) |
| F. D. Maurice (1805–1872) | Maurice taught that hope in Christ gives moral and spiritual strength when facing adversity. He emphasized God’s solidarity with the suffering. (Psalm 9:9) |
| Horatius Bonar (1808–1889) | Bonar emphasized that believers draw strength from the finished work of Christ, which anchors them through affliction. He saw trials as preparatory for eternal joy. (Romans 8:18) |
| Charles H. Spurgeon (1834–1892) | Spurgeon taught that God strengthens His people through prayer and the Word, especially in moments of darkness. Suffering becomes the forge where divine comfort is most deeply known. (Psalm 73:26) |
| B. B. Warfield (1851–1921) | Warfield held that divine strength is communicated through union with Christ, enabling believers to endure life’s heaviest burdens. He stressed the Spirit’s empowering work in weakness. (2 Corinthians 4:16–17) |
| C. J. Ellicott (1819–1905) | Ellicott taught that strength in hardship is rooted in the believer’s position in Christ. He emphasized the steadying power of Scripture during trial. (Ephesians 6:10) |
| J. C. Ryle (1816–1900) | Ryle wrote that God uses adversity to cultivate steadfastness and shape holy character. Strength increases as believers cling to Christ with unwavering faith. (Psalm 55:22) |
Now that I've shared some of my favorite bible verses for troubled times, I want to teach you some powerful truths by the power of the Holy Ghost.
It is our prayer that as you read this that your spiritual strength will increase in Jesus' Name.
It doesn't matter who you are, there are going to come times in your life when you feel weak and in need of encouragement. Jesus felt this way when He was in the garden of Gethsemane contemplating what He would have to do . He was asking the Father to let this cup pass from Him, but if it be the Father's will to let His will be done! And we know The Father's will was done! Thank you Jesus.
But, there is a line of scripture that we very rarely hear discussed and it reads:
"And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him." Luke 22:43
We all are in need of strength and encouragement. And there is no better place to go than to God; finding strength and courage in His Word in the Bible.
And so what we have here are some amazing, faith-building bible verses for strength in difficult times and bible verses for encouragement that will surely help you in your walk with the Lord.
When you're finished 'eating' these scriptures be sure to continue scrolling because I have a powerful article for you. By the grace of God I'll share with you how to live a powerful and encouraged life in the face of hardship and difficulties since we all have to go through them as Psalm 34:19 says: many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all.
Do you want some more good bible quotes for strength in troubled times? Enjoy the following hard times bible verses and then be sure to keep scrolling for powerful article to encourage and strengthen you in your walk with the Lord.
Verses for people going through hard times:
More Hard time strength God quotes:
Bible quotes about finding strength in hard times:
You can watch this 3 hour video with these Scriptures for Spiritual Strength here.
"God doesn’t reward lazy."
And the Lord replies and says, “Seek first My Kingdom and my righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you as well.”
And you say, “Let’s try something else.”
The Problem In The Church Today
The problem in the Church today is not that people don’t have enough faith for things. The problem for many people is that their faith is dead. This is because they’re not willing to work for the things that they have faith for.
Ask any successful Christian. It doesn’t matter what they do. It doesn’t matter if they’re a business coach, apostle, healing evangelist, public speaker or janitor. They’ll all tell you this- Faith without works is dead.
Even miracles have to be worked. Yes, God gives you the power to do it, but you’ve got to apply the power to the place that God has called you to apply it through labor as His Holy Spirit leads you, i.e., through work, in order to receive the result. No one pays attention to the healing evangelist when he has to get the conference hall booked, and the pressure that goes along with that.
No one sees him as he has to work and earn a living to afford the things that he needs. And no one sees the hours of prayer and acting in faith that he has to do every night, before, during, and after the healing conference or crusade. No one sees the struggle.
But we look on the television, and we see the healing evangelist and we say, that looks good. I would love to have a ministry like that.” You can. Ask for it and it shall be yours in Jesus’ Name. But are you willing to put your hand to the plow and never look back? Are you willing to face the demonic spirits that will try to shut down your work in the Lord when you go out on stage every night? Are you willing to work to earn the money that is needed?
“Sure brother, I hear you. But people give donations to the work of the Lord.”
Oh, yes they do. And I’m not discounting that. But you have to do work if you’re going to add something to advance the Kingdom of God in all the earth. If you’re not willing to do the work, what will others add money to? If you’re not giving of that which God has given to you in the way that He tells you, then how can the Lord add to your slothfulness and laziness?
If you’re not doing the work that God has called you to do, then you’re not seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and the other things that will help you to fulfill your call won’t be added unto you because you’ve not been doing what God has called you to do. And until you do, the promises that He has given to you will not be apparent in your life to the benefit of others.
For it is only when you shine your light before men that they’ll be able to see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. The Church today is full of a lot of slothful thinking that sounds right, but it is far from what God has said in His Word.
There are those who say that if God wants it to happen, it will. And the answer is yes. It will. He’s sovereign, but He will move upon the hearts of men to do so. The talent was taken from the slothful, lazy man, and given to the one who had 10 talents- the one who sought first the Kingdom of his Lord and to be in right standing with Him (Matthew 25:14-30) .
7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. (1 Corinthians 3:7-9)
You have a part to play. You have to start plowing the fields in prayer. You have to start getting things rolling.
If you look at all the miracles and healings that Jesus did, you will notice that none of them were done for people who didn’t add works to their faith or add works to their faith on behalf of someone else.
You see, God didn’t give you His Holy Spirit, for nothing.
The problem is: too many in the Church are living as if it's not going to take work, sweat, and possibly some tears to get there. But, nothing could be further from the truth!
It’s going to take work on your part.
For scripture declares: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6).
Jesus says in Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
This means that if you seek His Kingdom, if you seek to be in righteousness, joy and peace in the Holy Spirit(Romans 14:17) and with that you seek to be in right relationship with Him, doing as He says, and being led by Him, then the "all these things" will be added to you.
This means that you don't start and then stop. It means that you should seek, and not just look. It means that you get involved with Him and what He has going for your life. And the good news is that if you do this, He'll get involved in your life in turn.
Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you (James 4:8).
So if you see a brother or sister getting along well, don't just bless them, join them in their hard work, because it is hard and diligent work, led by the Holy Spirit that will bring you to that place that God has been showing you all the time.
By strengthening the arms of another in their life and work as unto the Lord, God himself will strengthen you arms as well. This can be emotional strengthening, physical strengthening, spiritual strengthening or even psychological and social strengthening.
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself (Proverbs 11:25).
Do you need encouragement? Then give encouragement. And you will also get encouragement.
Do you need strength? Then give strength, and you will also get strength!
There are times when you need to rest. But that rest is so you can get up and do the work of God again. Feeling down, then lift somebody else up.
2 Corinthians 8:9 : For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
Let this grace be in you as well, and watch what God does for you and through you!
For we know how the book ends with The Lord Jesus as the Bible shares in Revelation 5: 11-13:
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and [a]ever!”
1. How To Know God is Speaking To You
2. Our Free Prophetic Training Manual
3. See our Prophetic Words For Today
God is still on His throne and He will strengthen you as you do what He has called you to do, lifting up the name of Jesus to a dying world.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly (Psalms 84:11).
But, you must be doing or walking out what He has called you to do. And when you do.. look out because no good thing (like strength and encouragement) will He withhold from you who walk uprightly!
Hope you enjoyed our strengthening bible verses. Here's the thing though. We don't want to leave you without giving you some more goodies to help you on your quest to receive power from God.
So, here are some more links on getting power from God's Word:
Hope you enjoyed the powerful Scriptures from God's Word for strength in difficult times. It is our prayer that these encouraging bible verses from the Old Testament and New Testament will be a source of strength to you in your time of need. Remember, all that you need really is to get a daily bible verse from one of those we provided here, meditate on it and keep it in your heart until you feel stirred in your faith on the inside. That's God's strength working in you. Then, keep your mind on Him. And he will strengthen your heart.
Our uplifting verses will be here for you to read whenever you need to read something uplifting, but most importantly Your Heavenly Father is with you always, never to leave you or forsake you. Be blessed in the Mighty Name of Jesus!
Additional References:
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Apostle Thomas has served 17 years in ministry.
Sharing the Gospel with over 191 Countries Throughout The World.