35 Bible Verses About Suffering and Pain

Pain has a way of making everything else in life fade into background noise. Whether it’s physical agony from chronic illness, emotional devastation from loss, relational wounds from dealing with betrayal, or spiritual anguish from unanswered prayers, suffering demands attention and saps energy for anything else. You wake up to it, carry it through the day, and fall asleep with it still pressing on your chest like a weight you can’t shift.

Christians struggling with pain face unique challenges beyond the suffering itself. You’re told that faith should provide joy and peace, yet you’re drowning in misery. People quote verses about the goodness of God, while your experience contradicts those words. Prayer feels pointless when you’ve begged for relief that hasn’t come. The disconnect between what you’re supposed to believe and what you’re actually experiencing creates guilt on top of pain, as if suffering somehow proves deficient faith.

Scripture doesn’t sugarcoat the reality of human suffering or offer quick fixes for pain. From Job’s physical torment to Jesus’ cry of abandonment on the cross, the Bible acknowledges that pain is real, often unexplained, and sometimes prolonged. Yet these same passages reveal a God who enters into suffering with us rather than remaining distant from it, offering comfort that doesn’t always remove pain but provides strength to endure it.

Bible Verses About Suffering and Pain

1. Romans 8:18 – I Consider That Our Present Sufferings

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

New International Version (NIV)

2. 2 Corinthians 1:5 – For Just as We Share Abundantly

For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

English Standard Version (ESV)

3. 1 Peter 4:19 – So Then, Those Who Suffer According to God’s Will

Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

New King James Version (NKJV)

4. Psalm 34:19 – The Righteous Person May Have Many Troubles

The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

New Living Translation (NLT)

5. 2 Corinthians 12:10 – That Is Why, for Christ’s Sake

Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

6. Romans 5:3-4 – Not Only That, but We Rejoice

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

7. Job 5:18 – For He Wounds, but He Also Binds Up

For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.

King James Version (KJV)

8. 1 Peter 2:21 – To This You Were Called

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

9. Isaiah 53:3-4 – He Was Despised and Rejected

He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum. But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.

The Message (MSG)

10. Philippians 3:10 – I Want to Know Christ

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death.

Amplified Bible (AMP)

11. 1 Peter 5:10 – And After You Have Suffered a Little While

And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

New English Translation (NET)

12. James 5:11 – As You Know, We Count as Blessed

See, we count those blessed who endured patiently. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about—the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

13. Psalm 22:24 – For He Has Not Despised

The Lord doesn’t hate or despise the helpless in all of their troubles. When I cried out, he listened and did not turn away.

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

14. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 – We Are Hard Pressed on Every Side

We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We do not know what to do, but we do not give up the hope of living. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed.

Good News Translation (GNT)

15. Hebrews 2:18 – Because He Himself Suffered

And now he can help those who are tempted, because he himself suffered and was tempted.

New Century Version (NCV)

16. Job 36:15 – But Those Who Suffer He Delivers

But he rescues the afflicted by their afflictions and opens their ears by distress.

International Standard Version (ISV)

17. Psalm 119:67 – Before I Was Afflicted I Went Astray

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.

Tree of Life Version (TLV)

18. Acts 5:41 – The Apostles Left the Sanhedrin

So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were considered worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Lexham English Bible (LEB)

19. 1 Peter 3:14 – But Even If You Should Suffer

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear. Don’t be troubled.”

World English Bible (WEB)

20. Romans 8:17 – Now If We Are Children, Then We Are Heirs

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him.

American Standard Version (ASV)

21. Philippians 1:29 – For It Has Been Granted to You

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.

Revised Standard Version (RSV)

22. 2 Timothy 3:12 – In Fact, Everyone Who Wants to Live

In fact, all who want to live religiously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

New American Bible (NAB)

23. Lamentations 3:32-33 – Though He Brings Grief

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict from his heart, nor grieve the children of men.

Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB)

24. 1 Peter 1:6-7 – In This You Rejoice

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold temptations, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, might be found unto praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

English Revised Version (ERV)

25. Hebrews 12:2 – Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus

looking to the author and perfecter of faith—Jesus, who, because of the joy that was set before him, endured a cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)

26. Acts 14:22 – Strengthening the Disciples

establishing the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.

Darby Translation (DARBY)

27. 2 Corinthians 1:8 – We Do Not Want You to Be Uninformed

For we would have you know, brethren, as to the trouble which came upon us in the province of Asia, how heavily the burden of it weighed upon us, so that we renounced all hope even of life.

Weymouth New Testament (WNT)

28. Psalm 119:71 – It Was Good for Me to Be Afflicted

It is good to me that thou hast maad me meke; that Y lerne thi riytfulnessis.

Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

29. Colossians 1:24 – Now I Rejoice in What I Am Suffering

Now reioyce I in my sufferings for you, and fulfill the rest of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for his bodies sake, which is the Church.

Geneva Bible (GNV)

30. 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 – Therefore, Among God’s Churches

So that we oure selues reioyce of you in the congregacions of God, ouer youre pacience and fayth in all youre persecucions, and tribulacions that ye suffre: which is a token of the ryghtewes iudgement of God.

The Living Bible (TLB)

31. Romans 8:35 – Who Shall Separate Us from the Love of Christ?

Who could ever separate us from the endless love of God’s Anointed One? Absolutely no one! For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us.

The Passion Translation (TPT)

32. Hebrews 13:12 – And So Jesus Also Suffered

That is why Jesus also suffered outside the city gate—so He could make the people holy with His own blood.

The Voice Bible (VOICE)

33. 1 Thessalonians 3:3 – So That No One Would Be Unsettled

We sent Timothy so that no one would be upset by these troubles. You know that we must face these troubles.

New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)

34. James 1:12 – Blessed Is the One Who Perseveres

When people are tempted, they should not say, “God is tempting me.” God cannot be tempted by evil, and God does not tempt anyone.

Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

35. Revelation 21:4 – He Will Wipe Every Tear from Their Eyes

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There won’t be any more death. There won’t be any grief, crying, or pain, because the first things have disappeared.

God’s Word Translation (GWT)

Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About the Purpose of Suffering

Christianity is perhaps the only major religion whose God voluntarily entered into human suffering rather than remaining untouched by it. The incarnation means God experienced hunger, exhaustion, betrayal, physical torture, and death. Jesus’ suffering on the cross wasn’t just necessary for atonement; it demonstrated that God understands pain from the inside rather than observing it from a comfortable distance. This changes everything about how we process our own suffering.

Peter’s letters repeatedly connect Christian suffering with Christ’s example, not suggesting that pain is punishment but rather that following Jesus often leads to difficulty in a broken world. Paul even speaks of “sharing in Christ’s sufferings” and considers it a privilege rather than merely something to endure. This isn’t masochism but recognition that suffering can develop character, deepen faith, and create compassion for others in ways that comfort and prosperity never could.

The Bible also consistently points beyond present pain to future hope. Paul declares that current suffering isn’t worth comparing to coming glory. Revelation promises that God will wipe away every tear and eliminate pain entirely. This doesn’t minimize real agony but provides perspective that this isn’t the end of the story. Suffering is real and often prolonged, but it’s temporary in light of eternity. This tension between acknowledging pain and holding hope makes biblical responses to suffering both honest and ultimately hopeful.

Say This Prayer

Father, this suffering is more than I can handle on my own. The pain, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, has worn me down to the point where I struggle to find meaning or purpose in any of it. I’ve prayed for relief that hasn’t come, and honestly, I’m questioning why You allow this to continue when You have the power to stop it.

Help me hold onto faith when everything in me wants to let go. I don’t need theological explanations right now; I just need Your presence in the middle of this pain. Remind me that Jesus understands suffering firsthand and that You haven’t abandoned me even when it feels like You’re silent or distant.

Give me whatever strength I need to get through today without requiring me to be strong about tomorrow yet. Help me find meaning in this suffering without forcing me to pretend I’m grateful for it. Use this pain somehow to develop character, deepen my faith, or prepare me to help others, but mostly just walk through it with me.

When relief finally comes, help me remember what this felt like so I can be compassionate toward others in their pain. Until then, hold me together when I’m falling apart and be my hope when I can’t find any on my own.

In Jesus’ suffering and risen name, Amen.