Bible Verses for When You’re Afraid |What to Do When Life Gets Hard
Hello, beloved friend. I hope you’re doing well. This week has been a super heavy one for me. I’ve felt discouraged and depressed — even normal things like cooking, keeping up with business, and homeschooling felt like a tremendous stretch.
This past weekend, I almost lost one of my very best friends. She had a serious health emergency at church, and I had a front-row seat to all of it. Not only could I not focus on the message, but I was also trying to help her family as they watched their loved one become very, very sick. My heart nearly stopped for 15 minutes while we waited for the paramedics. I held her cold hand and whispered to her that Jesus was right there with her.
It was all too familiar — too close to the last days with my dad. He passed away on May 20, 2020, from brain cancer. In the weeks leading up to his death, it felt like one medical emergency after another. I was trapped on a rollercoaster I couldn’t get off. So while I was trying to hold it together for my friend, all that unresolved grief came roaring back in.
And as if that wasn’t enough, our family also had a terrifying emergency with my youngest daughter. She fell off a play structure and hit her head on a metal pole. At the ER, they said she might have a brain bleed. Waiting for the CT scan felt like slow motion. I prayed over her and opened my Bible, reading God’s promises when she asked me what I do when I feel scared. I told her I read bible verses that help overcome fear.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.”
—Isaiah 53:5
She loved it so much that she began writing it in her journal. And at midnight in that little ER room, we noticed two other people who looked completely down and defeated. My daughter suggested we write the verse again — twice — so we could give it to them, along with “Jesus loves you.” It was the sweetest thing. Jesus will always have opportunities for service even in our suffering. And isn’t that beautiful? Your pain is not in vain. It matters, and it has a purpose!
When the doctor returned and told us there was no brain bleed, I nearly collapsed with relief. I dropped to my knees outside the ER, overwhelmed with gratitude, and I praised Jesus right there in the walkway. Haylee does have a concussion and we’ll have to walk through that recovery — but she was ultimately okay. And for that, I am so incredibly thankful.
I believe that when we’re in a hard season, God has peace for us in the very moment — not in our anxious thoughts about what might happen. I felt peace that whatever God had planned, we were ultimately going to be okay. He is sovereign. His plan is always the best plan, even when we can’t make sense of it.
Loss is something I’ve dealt with a lot in life. I’ve learned to see it like this: The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Every bit of good I’ve ever experienced was from Him anyway, so I choose to be grateful for whatever I’m handed. Do I cry? Do I let myself feel the pain? Absolutely — I’m human. I have to let myself be with the hurt.
But I don’t let hurt define my identity or dictate my actions. The enemy wants us discouraged — stuck in bed, believing hopeless thoughts, not showing up for life. Because once we lay down, it gets harder to get up again.
Sometimes, after we’ve grieved and journaled with Jesus, we simply have to make ourselves get up. Wash our face. Get dressed. Keep going. Because in Christ, we are already victorious — no matter how things look or feel.
You might feel depressed, hopeless, or too far gone — but Jesus has a different perspective. He has the power to meet you in your weakness.
I’ve come to know Jesus on the deepest level as my ride-or-die, my BEST FRIEND — not in the easy times, but in the hard-as-buckets moments when I want to throw in the towel. He gives me healing, peace, hope, and an understanding I never thought I could have.
I pray you feel surrounded by His love today. And if it feels like nobody cares, please hear this: You have the power of One + JESUS. You and Jesus can become your own advocates and friends. You can build the relationship with yourself and Jesus that you’ve longed for from others. People can’t be what only Christ is meant to be — we’re all just trying to fill our own cups. BUT JESUS? “JESUS will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
So let’s look to Jesus — the Author and Perfecter of our faith — and ask Him to guide us with His Word:
“Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.”
—Psalm 119:105
GOD’S WORD CHANGES EVERYTHING. READ IT OUTLOUD TO YOURSELF. MINISTER TO YOUR OWN HEART, MIND AND SOUL!
Bible Verses for When You Feel Discouraged
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 is holding you up — you are not alone.
Psalm 34:17–18
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
He delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
➜ God is close to you in your pain.
2 Corinthians 12:9
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
➜ Your weakness is the space where His strength shines.
Psalm 42:11
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
➜ Even when discouraged, hope has the final word.
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
➜ God’s presence is your courage.
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good
of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
➜ God is working behind the scenes, even in the mess.
Psalm 73:26
“My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
➜ His strength doesn’t run out when yours does.
John 16:33
“In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
➜ Victory already belongs to Jesus — and you are His.
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
➜ You will rise again.
Psalm 55:22
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
➜ You don’t have to carry this alone.
Praying for your and your family. Don’t give up hope! The Lord is faithful. Thank you for reading this and I hope to see you soon!
