Life has a way of hitting you when you least expect it. The diagnosis comes back positive. The relationship falls apart. The job disappears. The dream dies. You find yourself standing in the wreckage of what you thought your life would be, wondering how you’re supposed to keep going.
C.S. Lewis, who lost his wife to cancer after just a few short years of marriage, wrote honestly about suffering:
“You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you.”
When life is hard, your faith stops being theoretical. It becomes the difference between giving up and getting up one more time.
But here’s what Scripture consistently reveals: God doesn’t promise to remove every hardship, but He does promise to meet you in it. He doesn’t guarantee an easy life, but He does guarantee His presence in the difficult one.
These verses aren’t magic formulas to make pain disappear. They’re anchors for your soul when the storm threatens to sweep you away.
Bible Verses For When Life Is Hard
1. Psalm 34:19 – The Righteous Face Many Troubles
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.
New International Version (NIV)
2. Romans 8:28 – God Works All Things for Good
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
New International Version (NIV)
3. 2 Corinthians 4:17 – Light and Momentary Troubles
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
New International Version (NIV)
4. James 1:2-4 – Consider It Pure Joy
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
New International Version (NIV)
5. Psalm 46:1-3 – God Is Our Refuge
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
English Standard Version (ESV)
6. Isaiah 43:2 – When You Walk Through the Fire
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.
New King James Version (NKJV)
7. Philippians 4:13 – I Can Do All Things
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
New King James Version (NKJV)
8. Jeremiah 29:11 – Plans to Give You Hope and a Future
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
New International Version (NIV)
9. Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to Me, All Who Are Weary
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)
10. 1 Peter 5:10 – After You Have Suffered a Little While
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
11. Psalm 23:4 – Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
12. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – My Grace Is Sufficient
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
13. Romans 5:3-5 – Suffering Produces Perseverance
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
English Standard Version (ESV)
14. Psalm 147:3 – He Heals the Brokenhearted
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
New Living Translation (NLT)
15. Isaiah 40:31 – Those Who Hope in the Lord Will Renew Their Strength
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
New Living Translation (NLT)
16. John 16:33 – In This World You Will Have Trouble
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
New International Version (NIV)
17. Psalm 55:22 – Cast Your Cares on the Lord
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
English Standard Version (ESV)
18. 1 Peter 5:7 – Cast All Your Anxiety on Him
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
New Living Translation (NLT)
19. Nahum 1:7 – The Lord Is Good, a Refuge in Times of Trouble
The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.
New Living Translation (NLT)
20. Deuteronomy 31:8 – The Lord Goes Before You
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
New International Version (NIV)
21. Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord With All Your Heart
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
English Standard Version (ESV)
22. Psalm 34:18 – The Lord Is Close to the Brokenhearted
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.
New King James Version (NKJV)
23. Philippians 4:6-7 – Do Not Be Anxious About Anything
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
New International Version (NIV)
24. Lamentations 3:22-23 – His Mercies Are New Every Morning
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
English Standard Version (ESV)
25. Romans 8:18 – Our Present Sufferings Are Not Worth Comparing
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
New King James Version (NKJV)
26. 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)
27. Psalm 30:5 – Weeping May Stay for the Night
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.
New Living Translation (NLT)
28. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – The God of All Comfort
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
29. Psalm 121:1-2 – I Lift Up My Eyes to the Mountains
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
New International Version (NIV)
30. Hebrews 4:16 – Approach God’s Throne With Confidence
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
New International Version (NIV)
31. Isaiah 41:10 – Do Not Fear, for I Am With You
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
32. Psalm 27:1 – The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation
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?
New International Version (NIV)
33. Romans 8:38-39 – Nothing Can Separate Us From God’s Love
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
English Standard Version (ESV)
34. Psalm 73:26 – My Flesh and My Heart May Fail
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
35. Revelation 21:4 – He Will Wipe Every Tear From Their Eyes
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About When Life Is Hard
Hard times don’t mean God has abandoned you. They mean you’re human, living in a broken world where things fall apart and hearts get shattered.
The Bible never sugarcoats suffering. It’s brutally honest about pain, loss, and disappointment. But it’s equally insistent that hardship isn’t the end of your story.
What’s remarkable is that God doesn’t just promise to help you survive difficult seasons. He promises to use them. To refine you. To produce character and perseverance. To draw you closer to Him than you’d ever get in comfortable times.
The real question isn’t whether life will be hard. It will be. The question is whether you’ll let hardship drive you away from God or toward Him.
Every difficult season is an invitation to discover that His grace really is sufficient, that His strength really does show up in your weakness, and that He really can work all things together for good even when you can’t see how.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, life is hard right now, and I don’t know how to carry this weight.
I’m tired of pretending I’m fine when I’m not. I’m exhausted from trying to be strong when I feel weak. I need Your help in ways I can’t even put into words.
Thank You that You don’t expect me to have it all together. Thank You that You’re close to the brokenhearted and that You promise to sustain me when I cast my burdens on You.
Give me the strength to face today. Help me to trust that You’re working even when I can’t see it. Remind me that this hardship isn’t wasted, that You’re refining me through it, and that weeping may last for the night but joy comes in the morning.
I don’t know how this story ends, but I’m choosing to believe You’re with me in the middle of it. Help my unbelief. Strengthen my faith. Carry me when I can’t walk on my own.
In Jesus’ Powerful 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.