Top 10 Bible Verses About Encouragement

We all have days when things don’t go right, we feel discouraged and let down. You may have been working hard to improve the situation and nothing you do seems to work. It’s easy to feel discouraged and hopeless in these moments. But no matter what your circumstances today, God doesn’t want you to be sad or discouraged, He has a purpose and a plan for you. As you read these 10 Bible verses about encouragement, you will find your spirit lifted.

When your day seems to spin out of control, turn to these Bible verses for difficult times. You will find comforting words from the Apostle Paul, the Psalmist David, the prophet Isaiah and more. Each one experienced difficult days. You are not alone.

If you are having a bad day or many bad days, remember these Bible verses for stressful times. Peter wrote in I Peter 5:7 that we could cast our cares and concerns on the Lord. We don’t have to carry our burdens alone. Be encouraged that you don’t have to try and figure out the solution to your problem. Give it to God in prayer today.

We all have days that are hard. These Bible verses for overwhelming times will help you be encouraged and focus on your faith and not your problems.

Bible Verses for Encouragement

1. It all begins with faith.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

The complete chapter of Hebrews 11 describes the faith of great heroes of the faith including Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses. They all had faith and believed the Messiah would come. As we read of the faith of each of them, we can be encouraged to strengthen our own faith, too.

2. Trust completely

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

When discouragement hits us, it’s hard to trust God has a plan but he does. God is always working out every detail of our lives for His perfect will. In the difficult times, pray and allow Him to direct your paths.

Remember, we can’t trust our own understanding and knowledge. We have a limited and short term perspective, God has eternity in mind. We don’t always have complete knowledge of everything or of all history (past, present and future).

3. There’s more to the plan than you know

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.

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

As we walk through a trial or our day-to-day experiences, we often focus on what is happening right now. But God is focusing on the complete plan and the final outcome. His plan is good and not evil, it’s a future and it’s filled with hope and joy.

Don’t let today’s troubles overwhelm you and take away your joy. Step back and see all the work God is doing in your life and those around you.

4. Ask for help

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 1:5 (ESV)

Life is complicated some days. It’s hard to know the right thing to do every time. At some time in our lives, we will all face a moment in time when don’t know what do.

If you don’t know what to do, ask God for help. You can ask God to give you wisdom every day. There is no requirement that you have to know everything or figure out everything yourself.

5. Cast your problems away

Casting all your anxieties on Him, because he cares for you.

I Peter 5:7 (ESV)

Have you ever carried a heavy backpack or shoulder bag? After a while, your arm and your shoulder will start to hurt and ache. You might have a hard time walking. When I think about this Bible verse, I think about carrying a heavy backpack (probably too heavy for me), and need to give my problems to Jesus. When I let go of them, my burden and my back are so much lighter.

What about you? Are you carrying a heavy burden you could let go? Take a moment and pray now and let go of your burden.

6. Don’t quit

And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

Do you ever feel like quitting? Do you get discouraged and tell yourself it’s just too hard? The Bible says that even if our life and experiences are hard, don’t give up and don’t quit. Don’t stop doing what is right.

Think of the seeds you plant in your garden. It takes months for them to grow vegetables. Growing trees takes many years. Doing the right thing is the same way. It’s like planting seeds. Sometimes we see immediate growth and changes, sometimes it will take years to see the impact of our work.

7. Let God Lead

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:5-6 (ESV)

Psalm 23 is a wonderful Psalm for encouragement. This Psalm was written by David a shepherd and he writes about how God will lead and guide us a a shepherd guides his sheep. This Psalm is a beautiful picture of how God cares and watches for his people.

While the entire Psalm 23 is short (you might have memorized it as a child), it gives us rich imagery of a shepherd caring for his sheep. For example, he leads them to green pastures. Even “beside still waters” is an important detail, did you know that fast moving waters frighten sheep?

Each time you read Psalm 23 think about how each action would protect and care for the sheep. Remember, this is the same care and love God has for you.

8. Perfect Peace

You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)

Have you ever had a night (or day) when you mind would just run crazy? It’s like you on 1,000’s of thoughts all at one time, and 1,000’s of questions you can’t answer, imagining every bad thing that could happen. But the Bible promises we can have peace.

When you are struggling and life feels out of control, claim your perfect peace. Calm your heart and your mind so you can rest.

9. Rejoice

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Romans 12:12

Years ago, I was staying at a hotel on the beach in the Atlantic Ocean. In the morning, the sun would rise on the beach. How beautiful it was to see the sun rays shining bright in the morning. The light filled the day with hope and inspiration.

If you are discouraged, stop and rejoice in the hope you have in Jesus. As you see the sunrise each morning, remember the promise of Jesus and claim your victory.

10. The Lord is Near

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:17-18 (ESV)

When bad things happen in life and things are not as they should be, it’s easy to feel we alone. Loneliness is the weapon of Satan. Isolation crushes human and spirit.

But you are not alone. The Lord is near especially to the lonely and brokenhearted. He is able to comfort you. He wants to comfort you and give you peace today.

These are just a few of the many Bible verses on hope and encouragement.

For further study, you might also like:

• Anchored in Hope Journal – A 30-day Scripture Journal that allows you to take a deeper look at 30 Bible verses that focus on hope and encouragement
• Faith Mini Bundle – includes the Anchored in Hope Journal, Pray without Ceasing Journal, a Gratitude Journal, and the Hope Wall Art.

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