Life has a way of wearing us down. The disappointments that accumulate over time, the dreams that seem to slip further away, the relationships that break our hearts, and the daily struggles that test our resilience. Whether you’re facing a major crisis or simply feeling overwhelmed by ordinary challenges, there are seasons when your spirit needs lifting and your hope needs renewing.
Sometimes encouragement feels elusive. Well-meaning friends offer advice that falls flat, motivational quotes feel shallow, and your own attempts at positive thinking seem inadequate against the weight of real problems. During these times, we need something deeper than temporary inspiration; we need truth that anchors our souls and reminds us of realities beyond our current circumstances.
Scripture offers encouragement that goes beyond surface-level optimism. These verses speak to the core of human struggle with honesty about difficulty while pointing us toward lasting hope. They remind us that discouragement is temporary, that God sees our struggles, and that our current chapter isn’t the end of our story. When life feels heavy, these truths can restore perspective and strengthen your heart for the journey ahead.
Bible Verses for Encouragement
1. Joshua 1:9 – Be Strong and Courageous
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
New International Version (NIV)
2. Jeremiah 29:11 – For I Know the Plans I Have for You
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. Romans 8:28 – All Things Work Together for Good
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
New Living Translation (NLT)
4. Isaiah 41:10 – Do Not Fear, for I Am with You
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
5. Philippians 4:13 – I Can Do All Things Through Christ
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
6. Psalm 46:1 – God Is Our Refuge and Strength
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
New King James Version (NKJV)
7. Isaiah 40:31 – Those Who Wait on the Lord Shall Renew Their Strength
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
King James Version (KJV)
8. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 – We Do Not Lose Heart
So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9. Romans 15:13 – May the God of Hope Fill You
Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!
The Message (MSG)
10. Psalm 23:4 – Even Though I Walk Through the Valley
Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11. 1 Corinthians 16:13 – Be on Your Guard, Stand Firm in the Faith
Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong.
New English Translation (NET)
12. Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be Strong and Courageous
Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13. Psalm 27:14 – Wait for the Lord
Wait for the Lord! Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
14. John 16:33 – In This World You Will Have Trouble
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
Good News Translation (GNT)
15. Psalm 31:24 – Be Strong and Take Heart
All you who put your hope in the Lord, be strong and brave.
New Century Version (NCV)
16. 2 Chronicles 15:7 – Be Strong and Do Not Give Up
But as for you, be strong and don’t give up, for your work will be rewarded.
International Standard Version (ISV)
17. Isaiah 43:1 – Do Not Fear, for I Have Redeemed You
But now, thus says Adonai, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are Mine!”
Tree of Life Version (TLV)
18. Psalm 118:24 – This Is the Day the Lord Has Made
This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!
World English Bible (WEB)
19. Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart
Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, and lean not upon thine own understanding: in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths.
American Standard Version (ASV)
20. 1 Peter 5:10 – The God of All Grace Will Restore You
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, establish, and strengthen you.
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
21. Psalm 34:19 – Many Are the Afflictions of the Righteous
Many are the afflictions of the just, but out of them all will the Lord deliver him.
New American Bible (NAB)
22. Hebrews 13:5 – Never Will I Leave You
Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have. For he hath said: I will not leave thee, neither will I forsake thee.
Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB)
23. Matthew 11:28 – Come to Me, All Who Are Weary
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
English Revised Version (ERV)
24. Psalm 30:5 – Weeping May Endure for a Night
For a moment — in His anger, Life — in His good-will, At even remaineth weeping, and at morn singing.
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
25. 2 Timothy 1:7 – God Has Not Given Us a Spirit of Fear
For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power, and of love, and of sober advice.
Darby Translation (DARBY)
26. Philippians 4:6-7 – Do Not Be Anxious About Anything
Do not be over-anxious about anything, but by prayer and earnest pleading, together with thanksgiving, let your request be unreservedly made known in the presence of God. And then the peace of God, which transcends all our powers of thought, will be a garrison to guard your hearts and minds in union with Christ Jesus.
Weymouth New Testament (WNT)
27. Psalm 121:1-2 – I Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills
I schal reise myn iyen to hillis, fro whennus help schal come to me. Myn help is of the Lord, that made heuene and erthe.
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
28. Romans 5:3-4 – We Glory in Tribulations
And not only so, but we also reioyce in tribulations, knowing that tribulation bringeth forth patience: And patience experience: and experience hope.
Geneva Bible (GNV)
29. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Encourage One Another
Wherefore exhort one another, and edify one another, as you also do.
Bishop’s Bible
30. Psalm 42:11 – Why Are You Downcast, O My Soul?
Why art thou so heuy, O my soule? And why art thou so disquyeted within me? Hope in God, for I wyll yet geue thankes vnto him, which is my present helpe, and my God.
Tyndale Bible
31. Isaiah 26:3 – Perfect Peace
You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
The Living Bible (TLB)
32. Psalm 42:5 – Put Your Hope in God
So then, my soul, why would you be depressed? Why would you sink into despair? Just keep hoping and waiting on God, your Savior. For no matter what, I will still sing with praise, for you are my saving grace!
The Passion Translation (TPT)
33. Lamentations 3:22-23 – His Compassions Never Fail
The faithful love of the Eternal is the reason we have not been completely destroyed. His compassion is never exhausted. It is fresh every morning. His faithfulness is as abundant as the day is long.
The Voice Bible (VOICE)
34. 1 John 4:4 – Greater Is He Who Is in You
Dear children, you belong to God. So you have won the battle against these people. That’s because the One who is in you is more powerful than the one who is in the world.
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
35. Hebrews 6:19 – We Have This Hope as an Anchor
We have this hope as an anchor for our lives. It is safe and sure, and it goes into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain.
Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Our Thoughts on What the Bible Says About Encouragement
Scripture offers encouragement that’s grounded in eternal realities rather than temporary circumstances. The Bible doesn’t minimize life’s difficulties or pretend that positive thinking alone can solve serious problems. Instead, it acknowledges that struggle is part of the human experience while pointing us toward sources of strength that transcend our immediate situations. Biblical encouragement is honest about hardship while offering hope that’s rooted in God’s character and promises.
What I find most compelling about scriptural encouragement is its balance of realism and hope. The Bible never suggests that following God eliminates life’s challenges, but it consistently affirms that we don’t face those challenges alone. These verses remind us that discouragement is temporary, that our current struggles have purpose, and that God’s presence provides strength for whatever we’re facing. They offer perspective that helps us see beyond present difficulties toward future hope.
Biblical encouragement also emphasizes our identity and worth beyond our circumstances. When life feels overwhelming, Scripture reminds us that we are loved, chosen, and equipped for whatever lies ahead. This isn’t shallow optimism but deep truth about who we are in God’s eyes and what resources are available to us through faith.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come to You feeling discouraged and in need of Your encouragement. Life feels heavy right now, and I’m struggling to see beyond my current challenges. The problems I’m facing seem overwhelming, and my own strength feels inadequate for what lies ahead. I need Your perspective to replace my discouragement with hope.
Help me to remember that You see the bigger picture when I can only see today’s struggles. Remind me that my current difficulties are temporary and that You are working all things together for my good, even when I can’t understand how. Give me strength to take the next step forward, even when I can’t see the entire path.
Fill me with Your peace that surpasses understanding and Your joy that doesn’t depend on circumstances. Help me to trust Your timing and Your plan, especially when things don’t make sense. Surround me with people who can offer godly encouragement and remind me of Your faithfulness.
When discouragement tries to steal my hope, anchor my heart in Your promises. Use this difficult season to deepen my faith and to develop character that will serve me in the future. Help me to be an encouragement to others who are struggling.
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.