Jesus told us we would have troubles and sorrow in this world (see John 16:33). The world we live in exists in a fallen state; imperfect due to the sin that entered it in the Garden of Eden. As such, literally everything is in a state of dysfunction. We see the results of our sin predicament in all that is around us. Some common and obvious consequences include pollution, war, oppression, poverty, disease, earthquakes, terrorism, hurricanes, floods, and fires. Not all of these affect each of us in personal ways, but we read about them daily in the news and we’re all too aware of their existence.
But on a more personal basis, we experience periods of strife including such painful things as divorce, financial insecurity, illness, death of close friends and loved ones, depression, drug addiction, injury, disability, unemployment, and more. The list goes on and on. We don’t often think of these trials as the result of sin, but in God’s perfect creation, prior to the fall, these things didn’t exist. But in our day and age, they are all too real, and exactly what Jesus told us we would have to endure.
So how do we survive these trials? Where do we turn when the weight of our troubles stops us in our tracks? Jesus went on to say, in John 16:33, that we should “take heart, for I have overcome the world.” Indeed, the provision God has made for us in this fallen world is one of the sure signs of His love for us. But sometimes, in the midst of the storm, it can be hard to find just the right verse for our situation so it can help to have a ready reference list. Below are a few verses you may benefit from right now, if you are facing a specific problem, or may wish to save for future use:
Deuteronomy 31:6: So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.
Isaiah 41:10: Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
John 14:26-27: But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Psalm 34:17-18: The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10: Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4: All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
Isaiah 40:28-31: Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. 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.
Psalm 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
A thorough study of God’s Word will yield many more verses of hope and healing. Especially useful is the book of Psalm’s, which can also function as a guide to prayer during difficult times. But without a doubt, when we turn to Jesus Christ, and trust in Him, we become victorious regardless of our present circumstances. As it is written in Romans 8:31: “Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” In Christ, we are winners regardless of our current situation.
If you have not yet placed your faith in Christ, why not make today that day? There’s no magic formula, just admit you are a sinner, and ask Him to forgive you, and believe that through His death and resurrection, you are redeemed. It’s that simple!
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There can be little doubt that people are interested in love. We talk about it, we sing about it, we spend our lives looking for it. Studies have shown love to be one of our most basic and crucial needs. When we feel we have the love we desire, we are happy and content and full of smiles; but when love fails us, our entire countenance changes and some of us may slip into utter despair. So basic and essential is love that it is the subject of books, poems, plays, movies, songs, paintings, and many other forms of art and entertainment.
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