10 Empowering Bible Verses About Feeling Defeated
Outside the window, the goldenrod fields have shifted from emerald to buttery gold. Frost will come soon, and any hint of color will be swallowed up by the monochrome beige of winter. I open my Bible in search of Bible verses about feeling defeated because I sense I’ll need them throughout the long months ahead.
Bible Verses About Feeling Defeated
Perhaps you need these words, too.
Maybe you’re facing an uncertain future or feeling defeated in some area of your life today.
Regardless of what your discouragement looks like, let’s soak in these truths together today. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you draw near to God for encouragement.
10 Bible Verses About Feeling Defeated
1. Isaiah 59:1
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1 NASB).
Do you wonder if God has forsaken you? Cling to this promise: The Lord’s arm is not too short to save you, no matter how far you have fallen.
When you begin to feel like you might sink, lift your eyes to the One who holds the power to immediately reach out and save you.
Ask him for help. He is waiting to carry you and sustain you.
2. Isaiah 42:6
“I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over you” (Isaiah 42:6).
In the darkest seasons of my life, I have cried out to the Lord from the lonely valley of isolation.
Friend, when you feel all alone, hold onto this promise: The God who made you will hold you by your hand. He has not left you.
He is watching over you, and he hasn’t missed a moment of the journey you are facing. Keep drawing near to him. Continue talking to him and opening your Bible. He is present with you.
You Are Not Alone
3. Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you” (Isaiah 43:2).
Perhaps you feel like you’re walking through a refining fire.
If so, cling to this promise: God is using this fire to purify you and help you grow.
Affliction is God’s primary tool for helping us grow into emotional and spiritual maturity. We miss the gifts hidden in affliction when take offense toward God for permitting the fires.
Ask God to help you keep a soft heart. He uses life’s fires and floods to transform us into the image of his Son.
God might not dry up the waters or put out the fires in our lives. Instead, he offers a better promise. He offers his presence with us. #Godspresence Share on X4. Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
God is inviting you to continue spending time in his Word. His Word guides our feet and directs our paths.
When you start to wonder which direction to take, turn back to the Living Word.
Open your Bible and find the encouragement and direction you need in times of discouragement. Stand on his promises instead of standing on your emotions. God’s light will guide you.
5. Philippians 1:6
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
God is not done writing your story.
He is not finished with you.
Hold onto this Bible promise when you feel discouraged: God will finish what he starts in your life. Your role is to trust him as you continue to put one foot in front of the other—one day at a time.
6. Psalm 118:6
“The Lord is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:6).
Do you feel discouraged as a result of interactions with other people?
During these times, God invites you to turn toward him and trust him. When the fear of man is overpowering, remind yourself that you serve God first. He will defend you and stand with you.
7. Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very ready help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
God invites us to turn toward him and find refuge and protection in his presence. When life feels defeating, run to the Lord. Rest in his love. Imagine him holding you and giving you strength.
He wants to help you in times of trouble and defeat. He can lift your head and give you hope.
8. John 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
We all face trouble in life.
Turn to Jesus in times of trouble and remember that he stands above every power and authority. He fights for you and wants to carry you and defend you.
9. Hebrews 10:35-36
“Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised” (Hebrews 10:35-36).
We also need to remember to keep pressing forward.
When adversity comes, it can be tempting to give up. Instead of giving up, ask God to give you endurance. Press on. Your story is not finished yet.
10. Psalm 34:18
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
Never forget that God is with you.
This Psalm reminds us that he is near to those who are brokenhearted and crushed. He wants to be your source of comfort.
Apply These Bible Verses About Feeling Defeated to Your Life:
Do you notice what all of these Scriptures have in common?
God sees every tear you shed, every dark night, and every difficult day.
He is present.
Bring him your emotions. Tell him how you feel. Let him encourage your heart and speak hope over you, and then stand on his promises. He will carry you, and he will not leave you alone.
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
A Devotional for Boys
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here. (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!
A Free Devotional to Help You Find Encouragement in Christ
I invite you to create space for God to transform your life by downloading a free copy of my devotional eBook, The Lean Into Grace Devotional: An 8-Day Devotional for Healing, Deliverance, and Replenishment. Find it for free here. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!
