How to Keep Your Faith (With Bible Verses About Faith in Hard Times)
I walk through the forest as my mind replays the events of the past months. I recently received a phone call that felt like a punch to the ribs, and I’m reeling from it. As I walk, I remind myself that God is good, and he wastes nothing. Maybe you need this reminder today as well. I invite you to join me as we explore a list of Bible verses about faith in hard times and talk about how to cling to God.
Bible Verses About Faith in Hard Times
Let’s start with some insights on how to keep your faith when life is tough.
7 Steps to Keep Your Faith in Hard Times
We all face difficult situations in which our faith is tested and stretched.
Let’s look at some practical steps we can take to stay close to God instead of turning away from him in these times.
Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you draw near to God in hard times.
1. Anchor yourself in God’s Word.
The greatest risk during difficult times is an offended heart. When we angrily blame God, turning away from him in times of adversity, we are also turning away from the source of all healing.
One way to avoid offense is to anchor ourselves in God’s Word.
When hard times come, reading our Bibles renews our minds. Through God’s Word, our minds come into alignment with him.
In addition to reading our Bibles, memorizing Scripture and using the Bible to guide our prayers can help us stay close to God.
2. Speak God’s promises.
The Bible is filled with unconditional promises about God staying close to us.
During hard times, speaking God’s promises helps us trust him.
3. Focus on God’s character.
God can only be good, and everything he does is done in love.
During tough times, it’s important to focus on God’s character, both as he has revealed himself to us in the past and as he reveals himself in Scripture.
When life is difficult, our emotions tell us God isn’t good and loving. We need to plant our feet on a foundation of truth rather than standing on these emotions.
4. Stay connected to others.
We all need other people in our lives who can point us to Jesus in difficult times.
It can be tempting to isolate in difficult times, but this is never God’s will for us.
Stay connected to other people who care about you in tough times. These people can pray for you, encourage you, and offer hope.
5. Challenge your thoughts.
During painful times, we cannot always trust our thoughts.
Give yourself permission to sort through and process your emotions, but don’t trust every thought.
Take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ, casting down thoughts that don’t align with God’s Word.
6. Serve others.
We are refreshed by refreshing others (Proverbs 11:25).
It might seem counterproductive to serve others when we are struggling, but this can be the exact means God uses to lift our heads.
This doesn’t have to be an extravagant act. Do a chore that normally belongs to someone else in your home. Visit an elderly neighbor or loved one. Write a note or send a card in the mail. Grab an extra coffee for a coworker. Write a lunchbox note or make your spouse’s favorite dinner.
7. Care for your entire self.
When life is difficult, we also need to remember to care for our bodies, minds, and emotions.
Care for your body by aiming to sleep well, eat well, and pursue movement daily. Care for your mind and emotions by reading life-giving material, meeting with a therapist, spending time with friends, and creating space for downtime.
Find time to pursue hobbies and spend time outdoors.
Pursue spiritual disciplines that are life-giving. God wants to meet with you and encourage you.
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Let’s now look at a list of Bible verses about faith in hard times.
Bible Verses About Faith in Hard Times
1. Joshua 1:9 ESV
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.
God promises never to leave us, and he will carry us through the darkest valleys. We can find encouragement in knowing he is always with us.
2. Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
God has not stopped acting in our lives.
He waits to strengthen us, and he upholds us with his righteous right hand. Lean into him for encouragement today.
3. Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save . . . he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
When our children suffer with fevers, bad dreams, and fears of all sorts, I often hold them in the night and sing over them.
In the same way, God sings over us. He wants to quiet us with his love. He is a good Father, and he invites us to draw near to him for comfort when life is tough.
I invite you to close your eyes and imagine God holding you in his arms. Imagine him singing over you. He delights in you. Let his love wash over you.
4. Romans 8:38-39
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
During times of discouragement, it can be tempting to wonder if God has taken his love away from us.
We cannot understand everything God permits, but we can trust that his love can never be taken away from his children. Rest in his love today.
5. 1 Corinthians 3:16
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
Because God dwells in you, you can trust in him to comfort you, sustain you, and support you. He has poured out his Spirit on all of his children, and his Holy Spirit equips us to face even the darkest days in his strength, with his peace.
If you lack peace and strength, ask God, through the power of his Spirit, to fill you with the peace that passes understanding. His peace will give you strength.
6. Deuteronomy 31:8
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
No matter what you are facing today, God is already there. He is beside you, behind you, within you, and ahead of you. Nothing can take him by surprise. Trust that he will lead you, sustain you, and give you all you need.
7. Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
God wants his peace to surround you. The key to experiencing his peace is to surrender your worries to him and talk to him about all things.
When we learn to surrender our worries to God, he fills us with hope and peace, guarding our minds in Christ.
8. John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
The greatest demonstration of love is for a parent to allow harm to come to his child on behalf of another person.
God demonstrated his love for us when he allowed Jesus to die for us. The Holy Spirit now dwells in the heart of everyone who believes this and follows Jesus. We have hope because the Spirit gives us hope.
Read here for a list of Bible verses about faith in hard times. #faith #hope #trust Share on X9. Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
This is a message for all of God’s children.
At times, we turn our backs on him. Meanwhile, Jesus pursues us. He wants a relationship with all of his children. Have you responded to him as he knocks at the door of your heart?
Open the door, and he will fill you with his hope.
10. Revelation 21:3
Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
We have hope beyond this life.
One day, God will create a new earth. We will all dwell with him, face-to-face, for eternity.
11. Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
God’s presence is like a light for our paths. Trust that because God is with you, you don’t need to live in fear.
Cling to the hope that God will guide your steps.
More Bible Verses About Faith in Hard Times
12. Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
God is with you. He will help you cross the raging rivers of life and walk through every fire with you.
13. 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.”
For years, I felt surprised every time life became difficult. Finally, I realized that trouble is to be expected. Jesus promised trouble. But he also promised his peace.
Are you facing a storm? Don’t be surprised. Also, remind yourself that Jesus has not left your side.
No matter what your storm looks like, Jesus is with you in the boat. He won’t leave you (Deut. 31:6). Lean into him and ask him to strengthen you. Keep your heart open to him. Keep seeking him. He won’t waste this storm.
14. Isaiah 42:6
“I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you”
When you don’t know which way to turn, cling to the promise in Isaiah 42:6.
God is with you in this storm, and he will protect you as he takes hold of your hand. Cry out to him and trust that he will never take his eye off you.
15. Psalm 16:8
“I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”
What might it look like to set the Lord always before you?
For me, this looks like training myself to turn to God first when crises strike. By practicing turning toward him, I find peace and stability.
God uses difficulties to shape us into the image of Jesus. As we grow in maturity, we are better able to share God’s love and compassion with others. We also develop resilience and perseverance.
16. Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
When I’m struggling, I often soak in Jesus’ invitation to draw near to him for rest. Take a moment to imagine Jesus holding you right now.
He wants to nurture your heart in the same way you nurture your children. I encourage you to spend at least a moment resting in his love every day.
Read here for 16 Bible verses about faith in hard times to your life. #faith #trust #hope Share on X~~~
If these Bible verses about faith in hard times encouraged you, I invite you to explore our family devotionals and library of free devotionals and eBooks below. May you experience God’s comfort as you draw near to him.
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.
Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
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.
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God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. He also wants to help you establish a rhythm of meeting with him daily as you trust him with the hard parts of your life. Click here to explore two books that will guide you: Be Still and Trust and Lean Into Grace. They are free on the Kindle Unlimited program and for sale in print.
A Free Devotional
If these 7 steps to keep the faith during hard times helped you, I have a gift for you. God is a good Father, and he wants us to experience his healing, deliverance, and replenishment. Most of us have learned that we cannot heal, deliver, or refresh ourselves; we need God to do this work within us. 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! 
