8 Encouraging Bible Verses About Overcoming Adversity
Are you facing a difficult time or walking through a challenging season in your life? Today, we’ll explore eight Bible verses about overcoming adversity as we align ourselves with God’s perspective.
Let’s start with a conversation about embracing adversity instead of running from it.
Bible Verses About Overcoming Adversity
I take the boys to the woods on an almost spring morning.
The skunk cabbage is rising through the muddied earth like a foretaste of the vibrant life soon to fill this wooded valley. Caleb’s seven-year-old legs have grown long and lean over the past year, and he hardly complains when we walk together now.
As we hike, I remember when every walk through this valley was a challenge, and I had to urge Caleb to keep walking.
It surprises me that he makes the walk without complaining this year.
Maybe last year’s efforts are finally paying off.
As we meander amid the peeping frogs, I consider times when life has required me to push through discomfort. I’m reminded that God uses adversity to help us grow and become more mature.
We all face times when we wonder if we have it in us to keep going.
If you’re facing difficult circumstances today, cling to these eight Bible verses about overcoming adversity.
Bible Verses About Overcoming Adversity
Here are eight truths to help carry you through life’s painful seasons:
1. Psalm 46:10
Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
loving look at me, your High God,
above politics, above everything. (MSG)
No matter what you’re facing today, God is still in control.
God hasn’t stepped down from his throne. His knees are not weak and trembling. He’s not afraid. He’s not surprised by what is happening.
Furthermore, his arm is not too short to reach in and stop this crisis at any given moment.
Our inability to make sense of what is happening does not indicate God’s absence or indifference.
God cares.
He is calling each of us to draw close to him and rest in him when troubles come. Will you take just a moment to pause and look to him? He is with you, and he wants to give you peace in this troubled situation.
2. Hebrews 6:19
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain (NIV).
Have you put your hope in the day when your crisis passes?
I’m quick to try and fix what feels broken in my life. I feel like I have a sense of control over my world when I put broken pieces together again. Sadly, I often put my hope in my ability to fix my circumstances instead of putting my hope in the fact that Jesus is with me in the middle of my broken moments.
Hebrews 6:19 reminds us that our hope is not in our circumstances. Our hope is in Christ with us in the middle of our troubled times. This hope is an anchor.
As an anchor is outside the ship, our hope steadies us from a secure place outside our understanding.
Think of the role of an anchor for a ship: The anchor pulls the vessel to itself.
Christ is our anchor. As we cling to him, he will pull us close.
Our hope is found not in getting through this crisis; our hope is found in drawing near to the anchor of Christ in the middle of the storm.
3. Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (NASB 1995).
In times of trouble, God still loves you unconditionally.
When life is difficult, do you ever wonder if God still loves you? When you begin to doubt God’s love for you, stand on the promise from Romans 8:38-39.
Nothing can ever take God’s love away from you.
Furthermore, when we study Scripture, we often see that trouble is a sign of God’s presence, not his absence.
4. Psalm 34:18
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (NIV).
In times of trouble and heartbreak, God is close to you.
You might not feel like God is close when you are hurting, but this doesn’t change the promise that he is close to the brokenhearted.
Are you feeling crushed or brokenhearted? God is near.
He loves you deeply and wants to comfort you with his love.
5. Psalm 5:12
Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield (NIV).
Even in times of trouble, God surrounds you like a shield.
No matter what happens in the world around you, if you humble yourself before God and lean on him by faith, he will surround you with favor as with a shield.
Nothing will reach you that has not first passed through God’s protective wings. You can trust that when God permits trouble in your life, he doesn’t enjoy it. Troubles come because we live in a fallen world where human beings have free will.
Trouble exists because people make ungodly choices, life is hard, and an enemy prowls around looking for people to destroy. Nevertheless, when God permits trouble in your life, you can trust that he intends to use it for your good and his glory.
6. John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (NIV).
Jesus directly told us that life would be hard at times.
Because Jesus said it, we can expect it.
But let’s not get stuck here. We don’t have to live in fear during troubled times. Jesus promises peace. There will be tribulation, but let’s not lose heart because Jesus has overcome the world.
Jesus already won the war. Let’s not grow discouraged as we wait for him to return and put an end to the battles we are facing. Jesus will return and make all things new.
Until then, let’s cling to the peace that comes from knowing he walks with us, hand-in-hand.
7. Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (ESV).
No matter how difficult your situation becomes, remind yourself that God is with you.
He is defending you and strengthening you. He will not abandon you, and he will use this difficult time to shape you into the image of Christ.
8. Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (ESV).
God is able to work all things for good in our lives. No matter how difficult your situation is, you can trust that he can turn it around and use it for good.
He will use adversity to help you grow in compassion and empathy, looking more like Jesus.
He wants to help you become more mature and complete as you walk through difficult times (James 1:2-4). Meanwhile, he will strengthen you and carry you.
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