15 Bible Verses for Strength in Tough Times

The diagnosis was devastating and yet not unexpected. My grandmother had been sick for a long time, but because she never wanted to go to the doctor, her symptoms puzzled us all for almost a year. Then, finally, an answer. Pancreatic cancer. Death would come within months. She had lived a long and blessed life….but still. We weren’t ready.

My daughter with my grandparents, during my grandmother’s healthy days

There are times in life when we can’t see the light. Terrible news takes us by surprise and our faith falters. We know the light must be there, but we believe that the pitch black may never let it through. The darkness obscures our sight and threatens to swallow us whole.

As Christians, we know that we should look for help from God, but when we are caught in the midst of a dark and difficult circumstance that is out of our control, sometimes we can hardly organize our thoughts enough to focus on the light that is trying to break through.

We can find it hard to pray. We stare at our open Bible, not knowing what to read and wondering where we can find the comfort we so desperately need.

Friend, if this is where you’ve been or where you are now, I understand your pain and sorrow, more than you know. Throughout the many times that darkness has overtaken the light in my life or the lives of others that I love, I have slowly learned that the best place to go is to God and His Word, even if I don’t understand how what is broken will be restored.

My grandmother did pass away just a short 3 months later, but we were able to spend precious time with her before she was gone. She came to a full assurance that she would be in heaven with the Lord when she died and her service was glorifying to God. I miss her, but I remember the wonderful times I had her in my life (until I was 33!) and I’ve seen how God can turn a heartbreaking situation into good.

God is still the same and He does care.

So I want to share reassurance and comfort with you today. These fifteen Scriptures will give you a place to turn in your Bible when your thoughts overwhelm you and you aren’t sure what to do next and don’t know what to read or pray.