15 Encouraging Verses for Hard Days

I believe in the power of God’s word to bring hope to the darkest of days. When we listen to God’s truth and apply it to our lives, when we obey His word and trust in His promises, we can find courage, perseverance and joy to face the most difficult circumstances life can throw our way.

Some days are hard. Bad stuff happens. Sometimes we make bad decisions and bring it on ourselves, but often the circumstances are completely out of our control. It may be the result of someone else’s sin or just the brokenness of our world. Whatever the cause, we can cling to God’s word during difficult times and find the encouragement we need, to not just survive, but to thrive.

Here are some favourite verses that turn my eyes away from my circumstances, and help me focus on the power and love of God. I write these verses out in my journal, make screen savers for my phone. Many I have memorised and I repeat them to myself during times of anxiety.  These truths are my lifeline, my anchor.

When I don’t know what to do:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5–6

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
James 1:5

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10

When I feel the weight of guilt and shame:

“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.”
Hebrews 4:16

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, not any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38–39

When I am overwhelmed with anxious thoughts:

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:34

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5

“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
Romans 8:6

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8

“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.”
Philippians 4:6–7

When I am tired:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28–30

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”
Psalm 23:1–3

If you have the time and are looking for some extra encouragement, look up these verses in your Bible and read the entire chapter they come from. Each of these verses is just a snippet of God’s word to us, and it is so much richer when we read the entire context.

An even better thing to do is to read the entire book. It will only take around 20 minutes to read the book of Philippians, and I guarantee it will be an encouragement to your heart!

I pray that in your difficult days you will have the courage and faith not to be overwhelmed, but to look to Jesus and stand strong on His truth.