The fatigue hits like a wall some days, making simple tasks feel insurmountable. Your body, which should be protecting you, has turned against itself in ways that leave you exhausted, in pain, and sometimes wondering if others truly understand the invisible battle you’re fighting. Autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or Crohn’s disease create a complex reality where your immune system attacks healthy tissue, leaving you to navigate unpredictable flares, medication side effects, and the emotional weight of chronic illness.
Well-meaning friends might offer quick prayers for healing or suggest that more faith would cure your condition, but living with autoimmune disease requires a deeper theology of suffering that acknowledges both God’s power to heal and His presence in ongoing struggle. The unpredictable nature of autoimmune conditions can shake your sense of control and challenge your understanding of how prayer, faith, and physical wellness intersect.
Scripture doesn’t promise that faith eliminates chronic illness, but it does offer profound comfort for those whose bodies wage war against themselves. These verses speak to God’s presence in suffering, His strength in weakness, and hope that transcends physical circumstances.
Bible Verses for Dealing with Autoimmune Diseases
1. 2 Corinthians 12:9 – My Grace Is Sufficient for 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
New International Version (NIV)
2. Psalm 103:2-3 – Praise the Lord, My Soul
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. Isaiah 53:4-5 – Surely He Took Up Our Pain
Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
New King James Version (NKJV)
4. Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to Me, All You Who Are Weary
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
New Living Translation (NLT)
5. Romans 8:26 – The Spirit Helps Us in Our Weakness
In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, since we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. Jeremiah 17:14 – Heal Me, Lord, and I Will Be Healed
Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are my praise.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7. Psalm 147:3 – He Heals the Brokenhearted
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
King James Version (KJV)
8. Isaiah 41:10 – So Do Not Fear, for I Am with You
do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9. Psalm 34:17-18 – The Righteous Cry Out
Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you. If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.
The Message (MSG)
10. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 – Therefore We Do Not Lose Heart
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11. Psalm 23:4 – Even Though I Walk Through the Darkest Valley
Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me.
New English Translation (NET)
12. James 5:14-15 – Is Anyone Among You Sick?
Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray over him after anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will restore him to health; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13. Psalm 41:3 – The Lord Sustains Them on Their Sickbed
You, Lord, will help them when they are sick, and you will make them well again.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
14. Isaiah 40:29 – He Gives Strength to the Weary
He strengthens those who are weak and tired.
Good News Translation (GNT)
15. Philippians 4:19 – My God Will Meet All Your Needs
God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need.
New Century Version (NCV)
16. 1 Peter 5:7 – Cast All Your Anxiety on Him
casting all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
International Standard Version (ISV)
17. Psalm 30:2 – Lord My God, I Called to You for Help
Adonai my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.
Tree of Life Version (TLV)
18. Romans 8:28 – In All Things God Works for the Good
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Lexham English Bible (LEB)
19. Psalm 46:1 – God Is Our Refuge and Strength
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
World English Bible (WEB)
20. Isaiah 43:2 – When You Pass Through the Waters
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
American Standard Version (ASV)
21. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – The Father of Compassion
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
22. Psalm 121:1-2 – I Lift Up My Eyes to the Mountains
I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
New American Bible (NAB)
23. Matthew 8:17 – He Took Up Our Infirmities
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, He tooke our infirmities, and bare our diseases.
Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB)
24. Exodus 15:26 – I Am the Lord, Who Heals You
And he said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his eyes, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.
English Revised Version (ERV)
25. Psalm 73:26 – My Flesh and My Heart May Fail
Failed hath my flesh and my heart, The rock of my heart and my portion [is] God to the age.
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
26. 1 Corinthians 15:43 – It Is Sown in Weakness
It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.
Darby Translation (DARBY)
27. Hebrews 4:15-16 – We Do Not Have a High Priest
For we have not a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things like us, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help in time of need.
Weymouth New Testament (WNT)
28. Job 2:10 – Shall We Accept Good from God
And he seide to hir, Thou hast spoke as oon of the fonned wymmen; if we han take goodis of the hond of the Lord, whi forsothe suffren we not yuels? In alle these thingis Joob synnede not in hise lippis.
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
29. 1 Peter 2:24 – He Himself Bore Our Sins
Who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his body on the tree, that we being deliuered from sinne, should liue vnto righteousnesse: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Geneva Bible (GNV)
30. Psalm 116:3-4 – The Cords of Death Entangled Me
The snares of death compassed me rounde about: and the paynes of hell gat holde vpon me, I founde trouble and heauinesse. Then called I vpon the name of the Lorde: O Lorde I beseche thee deliuer my soule.
Bishop’s Bible
31. Mark 5:34 – Your Faith Has Healed You
And he sayde to her: Doughter thy fayth has made the whoale: goo in peace and be whole of thy plage.
Tyndale Bible
32. Psalm 6:2 – Have Mercy on Me, Lord
Pity me, O Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, for my body is sick.
The Living Bible (TLB)
33. Isaiah 61:1 – The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord Is on Me
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted and to proclaim liberty to the captives, to open the eyes of the blind and to set the prisoners free.
The Passion Translation (TPT)
34. Revelation 21:4 – He Will Wipe Every Tear from Their Eyes
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain, because all the old ways are gone.
The Voice Bible (VOICE)
35. 3 John 1:2 – I Pray That You May Enjoy Good Health
Dear friend, I pray that you are doing well in every way. I pray that your body is healthy. I know that your soul is doing well.
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
Our Thoughts on What the Bible Says About Autoimmune Diseases
Living with autoimmune disease forces us to wrestle with complex theological questions about suffering, healing, and God’s sovereignty. The Bible doesn’t offer simple answers, but it does provide a framework for understanding chronic illness that’s both honest about pain and hopeful about God’s presence within it. Scripture shows us that physical suffering doesn’t disqualify us from God’s love or purposes.
What strikes me most about the Bible’s approach to chronic illness is how it validates our experience while pointing beyond our circumstances. Paul’s thorn in the flesh wasn’t removed despite his prayers, yet God’s grace proved sufficient. This suggests that healing isn’t always a physical cure, but can also be the strength to endure and find purpose within limitation.
The Bible also emphasizes community support for those who are sick, reminding us that managing autoimmune disease isn’t meant to be a solitary struggle. James instructs the church to pray for and anoint the sick, recognizing that chronic illness affects the whole body of believers. God works through both supernatural intervention and medical treatment, community support, and personal faith to bring wholeness in ways we might not expect.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, living with autoimmune disease feels overwhelming some days. When my own body attacks itself, I struggle to understand why You allow this suffering and how to maintain hope when symptoms flare unpredictably. I need Your presence and strength to navigate this chronic condition with faith and grace.
Help me to find You in the midst of pain, fatigue, and uncertainty. When medication side effects leave me feeling worse, when treatments don’t work as hoped, and when others don’t understand the invisible nature of my struggle, remind me that You see every moment of my suffering and care deeply about my wellbeing.
Give me wisdom to be a good steward of my health through medical care, lifestyle choices, and emotional support. Help me to distinguish between healing that comes through cure and healing that comes through Your sustaining presence in chronic illness. Surround me with understanding friends and family who can support me through difficult seasons.
Use my experience with autoimmune disease to develop compassion for others who suffer and to deepen my dependence on You. Help me find purpose and meaning even within physical limitations.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.