In the crazy ride of life, we can often feel like we’re on a roller coaster, experiencing mind-blowing highs and mind-numbing lows. And at times, those lows can be really low, leaving us feeling discouraged and alone. But God wants us to know that we are never alone, and that our difficulties, tragedies, and pain are opportunities for him to bring us comfort, healing, strength, hope, and even joy.
Encouraging scriptures for pain and suffering
God doesn’t promise us a life without pain or suffering, but he does promise us through his Word that he works best in our weakness, and he will always be there for us with his goodness, mercy and love. So here are some Bible verses that can give you that hope and strength even in the midst of your pain and suffering.
The purpose in pain and suffering
Acts of the Apostles 14:22 - They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.
James 1:2-4 - Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
James 1:12 - God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Romans 8:28 - And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 - For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.
2 Corinthians 1:4-5 - 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. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.
Seeking God’s help and comfort
Psalm 55:22 - Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
Psalm 56:8-9 - You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!
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.
Lamentations 3:22-23 - The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Matthew 11:28 - Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Ephesians 3:16-17 - I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
Romans 5:1-5 - Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Praise through suffering
Psalm 59:16-17 - But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.
Psalm 105:4 - Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.
Matthew 7:7-8 - Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
1 Peter 1:3-7 - All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
Philippians 4:6-7 - Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
God is working even in your pain
As each verse shows, God is not only working in your suffering, but he has a purpose. And when you seek his help, he will always be there to give you his peace, his mercies, and his strength. Pray to him always and ask him to reveal what he wants to teach you through this pain. Ask him to resolve your suffering according to his will for your life. He may not answer your prayers by ending the trouble you are living through, but he will be with you through it, never forsaking you.
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If you have more questions about why you’re going through such difficulty, check out this article for some more understanding from the Bible on why we go through pain.
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