Welcome back to our series on hope! Today’s focus is Bible verses about hope in hard times. Hard times is a vague term really, but what it brings to my mind are seasons of financial trouble, illness, depression, heartache, stress, and indecision.

We serve a God of hope and I want you to not only feel God’s love but seek the hope that comes from the promise of eternal life. This earth is not our home, we are merely pilgrims here, seeking a better place.

That is where hope enters the picture, isn’t it? A time where we trade our momentary affliction for the eternal weight of glory.  Our future hope is less about what is going on around us now and more about the day of Christ Jesus where we will meet him in the clouds.

All the while these present sufferings teach of of God’s great mercy and steadfast love.  Our soul finds it’s lover when it is brought low with trials of various kinds.  That it may embrace the hope of the glory of God rather than be satisfied with the less than good things this world has to offer.

Last week we covered Bible verses about hope and healing which included illness, depression, and heartache. Let’s turn our attention to the more earthly troubles such as finances, everyday stress, and those periods in life where everything seems to go wrong.

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Bible Verses about Hope in Hard Times

• This series includes:
• Overview of Bible Verses about Hope
• Bible Verses about Hope and Faith
• Bible Verses about Hope and Healing
• Bible Verses about Hope in Hard Times

The men and women throughout the Bible went through numerous hard times. Some relied on God and others didn’t. The scriptures about hope in hard times are meant to bring us peace and strength and confidence in our Living God.

I pray you dwell on these words, allow them to sink into your hearts, and then act upon them!

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

Nothing encourages me to keep holding on and pushing forward in faith than believing God hears me and is walking beside me.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. (Psalm 34:15)

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;  (Philippians 1:6)

God is Our Refuge: A Very Present Help

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle, He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. (Psalm 27:5)

God is our refuge and David understood that better than most. So, what does God is our refuge mean? He removes the troubles in our lives? He prevents bad things from happening?

No and no.

God provides a safe place for us. He surrounds us with love and peace and strengthens us when the world is just too hard. We go to Him when we are afraid and broken and He shelters us. He doesn’t remove us from the situation, but He helps us through it.

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. (Psalm 9:9-10)

Bible verses about faith and hope in hard times reminds us that God is our refuge and strength and we don’t have to do it on our own.

For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You. In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they shall not come near him. You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah (Psalm 32:6-7)

Scriptures on Financial Provision

Everyone has different ideas on God providing for us financially. Some believe God gives in abundance to those that are faithful. Others believe we are meant to live in poverty to rid ourselves of financial temptation.

I believe that God provides our needs. I leave it there. If God chooses to navigate our circumstances so that we are making enough money to live comfortably or with some to spare, then so be it.

We went through an ugly period of unemployment many years ago. God supplied our needs in various ways. Did we make a lot of sacrifices? We sure did! Did we have enough money at the end of the month to pay all the bills? No. Were we fed and clothed? Absolutely!

Can we continue to have hope before our financial breakthrough? Absolutely!

Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?

And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.

For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. (Luke 12:22-31)

I had to bold “but seek the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you.” When our eyes are on God, we do not see what is not going right around us. We have confidence that He is taking care of us and we need only follow Him.

Also, did you note the part about the birds of the air? God finds joy in His creation. He loves you and wants you to come to Him in your distress.

Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, And he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. (Psalm 41:1-2)

The last couple of years I have sought the meaning of peace. I felt as if I had none. I was running around in a stressed out state, full of anxiety and grief and I knew this was not what God wanted for me. It is not what God wants for any of us.

Through my struggles and the strong desire to rise above them, I learned that peace is not the absence of trials and joy is not the absence of sorrow, rather, it is an accepting of our situations knowing that God is in control and working all things for our good.

It feels like an oxymoron. Two opposite concepts living together in harmony. The negative should pull us down, drown us, suffocate us, but we serve a God that is not of this world. He is far superior, rescuing us, delivering us, and saving us.

That is why we have hope!

For more on peace, check out these posts!

Learning to Pursue Peace

What is Peace in the Bible? A Deeper Look at True Peace

Jesus as Prince of Peace and How to Embrace Him This Season

Bible Verses about Faith and Hope in Hard Times for when You Feel Overwhelmed

We all experience periods of time where we feel overwhelmed, as if life has given us more than we can handle. You know that expression “when it rains it pours”?

Your husband loses his job, you break your foot, and your car begins making strange noises. A pandemic breaks out changing everyday life and increases anxiety.

Times when you have too much on your plate. For me this often hits in the middle of winter. Homeschooling, kid activities, keeping up with the housework, as well as trying to fit in things like exercise, time with hubby, and meeting all of the kids’ emotional needs. The inconvenience of snowstorms and below zero temps can add to my feeling of being overwhelmed.

During this busy period last year my washing machine broke so I was hauling a dozen loads of laundry a week to the laundry mat. I was a frazzled mess!

These are the days that we need Bible verses for overwhelming times!

Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

After all, He is our ever-present help in times of trouble and uncertain times.  We get into the habit of waiting for better days, but better days are probably not coming.  This is why we need to seek the joy of the Lord and embrace God’s promises like never before.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all. (Psalm 34:17-19)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, (1 Peter 1:3-4)

What God Says about Going Through Difficult Times

What does the Bible say about going through hard times? It says that we will experience trials and struggles. Isn’t that the truth?

Sometimes we allow ourselves to be tempted and do not put an immediate end to satan’s tactics. Other times the trial is completely out of our control. What we need to remember is we serve the only one who can save us from these times.

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

James tells us that tough times produce endurance and endurance produces character.  Our momentary troubles are but for a little while and are nothing when compared to the eternal glory that is our forever home.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)

Bible Verses about Hard Times in Relationships

Bible verses about hard times in relationships could be a topic all its own, but I thought that hard times often include difficult interactions with people around us. This can be hard times in our marriage, with friends and co-workers, or our siblings and parents.

Paul tells us that if it is possible to live peaceably with all men.  This tells me that sometimes it simply isn’t possible BUT most of the time we have a lot to learn about our inner self and we seriously need the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us and change our hearts.  

The same unfailing love that God has bestowed upon us should be shown to everyone in our lives no matter how difficult they may be.  

He who has knowledge spares his words,
And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. (Proverbs 17:27)

There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise promotes health. (Proverbs 12:18)

Bible verses about hard times in relationships will often point out what we may be doing to aggravate a situation, showing us the correct way to handle it. This is never easy.

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;  for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)

with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3)

Paul points out specific relationships in Colossians.

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. (Colossians 3:18-21)

My Favorite Bible Verses about Hope in Hard Times!

While we covered quite a few Bible verses about hope in hard times, I want to share with you my favorite. The ones that helped me through the grief and pain.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you. (Isaiah 43:1-2)

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  (Romans 8:28)

That last verse used to mock me. How could God possibly be doing this for my good? That’s where faith comes in, my friend! May you grow in that faith as you look to your only source of hope.

You may also be encouraged by these posts!

Your Faith has Made You Well: Touching the Hem of His Garment

She Still Lives: Bible Verses About Heaven After Death