Going through stress and hard times is inevitable. We aren’t promised a perfect life here on earth, even as, or especially as, Christians.
Thankfully, we aren’t going through these hard times alone. God is always with us, through the Holy Spirit. We can also take great comfort in the support and encouragement we receive from other people.
But don’t forget about God’s Word! These Bible verses for stress and hard times are a great way to stay focused on God, and not overwhelmed by our own worries.
Read over these Bible verses and don’t miss out on the 30+ day Bible reading plan we have available for free!
Why Turn to the Bible During Stressful Times?
Why is it that we struggle with turning to the Lord or His Word during difficult times?
I know that I have had difficult times when life has felt overwhelming and in my panic, I only focused on my circumstances. And sometimes, it is a victory to just put one foot in front of the other.
But when I slowed down and turned to the Lord, He was faithful to meet me in my challenges. Things may have not been fixed in the moment, but in His grace, He helped me feel His presence and remind me of His promises for what I was facing.
One unquestionable way to hear from the Lord is to read His Word. The Bible is full of wisdom and insight from our Lord. There are examples of how He has provided for people in the past. We can find so much encouragement in Scripture.
The Bible also reminds us of the truth. Our worries can tell us lies. When that happens, we often let them dictate our thoughts and actions.
God’s Word can bring the clarity that we need, pointing us to the peace and provision that the Lord provides for us each day.
Most importantly, the Bible tells us of the hope and salvation we can find in Jesus. We need not bear our burdens on our own. We can leave them with Jesus, and be free to follow His will for our lives.
Let’s take a closer look at these Bible verses about stress and hard times.
Encouraging Bible Verses for Stress and Hard Times
How do we know that God is with us and hears us when we are going through life’s challenges? The Bible tells us!
“The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.” – Psalm 34:17
The Lord hears us and answers us in our troubles. He may not deliver us as we requested, or by the timing we envisioned. But the Lord has a plan for our lives. This gives us hope as we go through difficult times.
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.” – John 14:27
Jesus told this to disciples shortly before He went to the cross. He knew the trouble coming His way, yet He still promised peace to them. This can give us perspective on how Jesus sees our lives.
We aren’t promised a “peaceful” life, with green lights, piles of money, and no problems. But we can have a life full of peace from our Lord, Jesus Christ.
The more we put our trust in Him to work everything out according to His plan, the easier it can be to experience His peace.
“In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6–7
Scripture reminds us that we can surrender our requests and concerns to the Lord. In prayer, we can set aside our anxiety and worries and exchange it for thankfulness and peace from the Lord.
“Casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
Sometimes we can be reluctant to set aside our worries, especially if it’s a situation where we need to take some action.
But as we prepare to set aside our worries, we aren’t just crossing our fingers and hoping. We are trusting our concerns to the God of the universe who loves us!
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.” – Romans 8:18
The Apostle Paul reminds us that whatever we are going through, it is nothing compared to what the Lord has for us, both now and in the future??
This can help us get through hard times, knowing that whatever we face, we have our hope and faith in the Lord.
“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.” – Psalm 23:4
We are not alone in our problems and stress! The Lord is with us, even through the worst. He will guide us and comfort us through the hardest times in our lives.
“Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16
The Lord provides us not only with strength, comfort, and hope through difficult times, but also with His wonderful grace. He is merciful to us and bestows grace upon us.
Your Free 31-Day Bible Verses for Stress and Hard Times Reading Plan
If you find these verses encouraging, you’ll want to dive deeper into these Bible verses for stress and hard times.
This curated list are great to read through, whether you are going through a difficult time or not. It’s designed to have a Bible verse for each day of the month. You can start on the first day of the month or any day of the month!
These verses focus on God’s peace, comfort, strength, and faithfulness.
This printable plan is labeled with the theme, but some of them are labeled with the month of March as we have made a suggested plan for the year.
You can pick up the free version here.
We also have an expanded version with a journaling page, a prayer request log, and a notes page. You can get this version in my Gumroad store.
Take a sneak peek at the whole reading list for the month here.
Each version also comes with Bible study and reflection questions. Find those questions below.
Bible Study and Reflection Questions
Bookmark these for a Bible study or quiet time, or download the Bible study worksheet in the free or upgraded Bible study guides.
- What does Hebrews 4:16 say that God will give us as we draw near to Him?
- Reflect on John 14:27. How is the peace that Jesus offers us different from the world’s peace?
- In what ways have you experienced God’s peace in past hard times? Is there a Bible verse that encouraged you through this time?
- What areas of your life do you need God’s peace and strength? Write a short prayer asking Him to help you surrender those areas to Him today.
Prayer for Stressful and Difficult Times
Sometimes during stressful times, we can feel so overwhelmed or unsettled that it can seem hard to pray. And if all you can manage during those times is, “Lord, help me!”, please know that He hears your prayers!
If you are having a hard time finding the words to pray, this example of a prayer for stressful and difficult times can help you get started praying. Use it as inspiration, or pray it word-for-word with a sincere heart.
O Lord,
You know the heavy things that I am facing today. It feels like too much to bear.
I thank You that I do not face any of this on my own. I can call on You for deliverance! I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Please provide the strength, comfort, and peace that I need today.
As Romans 8:18 says, “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.” May I live today in light of this truth.
Help me to glorify You in my life today!
In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
As we wrap up our journey through these powerful Bible verses, remember that you don’t have to face stress and hard times alone. God is always there, ready to offer His peace, comfort, and strength.
Lean on His Word, and allow it to guide you through every challenge. Keep trusting in Him, and you’ll find the hope and strength you need to navigate what today will bring.
If you liked Bible Verses about Stress and Hard Times, you may also like Bible Verses about Walking in the Light of Christ and Bible Verses about Storms of Life.
