One of the hard truths of life is that we live in a fallen world that is afflicted by sin—the result of which is suffering of many kinds. The Bible is not silent on this subject, but rather addresses it directly in a way that brings us comfort, restores our hope, and renews our strength.
These are verses you can turn to in moments or seasons of suffering. Highlight them in your Bible, write them in a journal, or commit them to memory so you can always turn to God’s Word when you need it the most.
1. “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 NLT
2. O Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You restored my health. You brought me up from the grave, O Lord. You kept me from falling into the pit of death. Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise His holy name. 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. – Psalm 30:2-5 NLT
3. Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world. – 1 Peter 4:12-13 NLT
4. Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. – James 5:2-3 NLT
5. And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later. – Romans 8:17-18 NLT
6. Since He Himself has gone through suffering and testing, He is able to help us when we are being tested. – Hebrews 2:18 NLT
7. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. – Romans 5:3-4 NLT
8. In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation. – 1 Peter 5:10 NLT
9. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. 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. – Isaiah 40:29-31 NLT
