Friday, May 9, 2014

my favourite Bible verses for seasons of suffering

A friend asked what Bible verses help me get through times of suffering. She said,
What I need right now is a Romans 8.28 replacement. Maybe I just need verses that remind me that God is good and God is strong. Got any short ones I can repeat over and over?
Here's my response:
There are a few single verses I keep coming back to, like Romans 5:3-4, 8:31-32, 8:35; Galatians 6:8-9; 1 Peter 1:6-7; and little bits of the psalms like Psalm 46:1 and 84:1. But I am not very good with short verses, because I find it easier to remember longer passages.

When I'm going through a time of struggle, I often memorise a psalm for that season; my favourites are 23, 42, 46, 84, 103, 121, 130, 131, 139 and I am always coming back to them (at least the bits I remember!). Many of them are quite short.

Three favourite passages that help me persevere through times of trial are 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Hebrews 12:1-13 and Romans 8:18-39

I love Psalm 73:23-26 and Habakkuk 3:17-19, for they remind me that I could lose everything, and still have all I want in Jesus. "Where else have we to go, since you alone have words of eternal life?" (John 6:68).

I also say these passages over and over: Ephesians 1:3-10 (all spiritual blessings); 1 Peter 1:3-9 (how suffering refines our faith); Romans 5:1-11 (being sure of God's grace).

And there are some passages on anxiety I keep returning to, like the ones in Matthew 6:19-34 and Philippians 4:4-9.

What verses would you add? I'd love to hear from you (and so would my friend, I'm sure).  


For more suggestions, and if you'd like to commit some of these to memory, see my series memorizing the Bible.

5 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Thank you, this is a beautiful list.
Joel 2:25 I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten...

Anonymous said...

Isaiah 40v25-31 remind me of all sorts of things about God and how I can trust Him.
Robyn

Meredith said...

Some really great verses.

2Peter 1:3-11 are excellent words for perseverance. And if things are really bad, then just verse three, or even just the first half of verse three.

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life..."

Jean said...

Joel 2:25 and 2 Peter 1:3-11 I also love; thanks you for reminding me of them.

Robyn, that passage in Isaiah just went to the top of my "passages to memorise" list; thank you!

Sarah said...

1 Peter 5:6-7 - written to elders and young men, but relevant for us all.