Five Inspiration Bible Verses

Life is never without problems. Thankfully we can read the Bible to guide us through the difficult places. For much of my thirty-three years, I have looked to the Bible when facing uncertain circumstances. The following five biblical scriptures have inspired me a great deal.

¹ As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. ² His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

³ "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. ⁴

John 9: 1-4 demonstrates an act where our weaknesses show God's power to heal. I have been healed from at least one cancer (18 years and counting) just as the blind man was healed from his blindness. When loved ones have been diagnosed with cancer they say my survival gives them hope'"God's works are shown through me. When it is insinuated either I or my parents did something for me to deserve cancer and Cowden Syndrome (and it has been several times), I refer the person to this portion of the bible.

³⁵ Jesus wept

This verse occurs when Jesus arrives to raise his friend Lazarus from the dead. The shortest verse in the Bible, John 11:35 shows our human feelings are nothing to be ashamed of. Christ who was above our human nature cries at the death of his friend in spite of knowing he will raise that friend back into the world of the living. When a Christian loses a loved one, there is a rift between being happy the loved one is in Heaven and being sad for our own loss. This biblical verse shows our Lord understands our feelings and it isn't wrong to mourn. My mother passed away five months ago and this verse gives me comfort.

¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains'"
where does my help come from?

Sometimes life can be overwhelming. Often I find myself torn between worry over health problems, financial problems, marital and family rifts, etc. I am not alone in my struggles as all human beings have them. We can't get through all of life's problems on our own. Psalm 121:1 reminds us we have help-all we have to do is ask (or look up). When confronted with difficulties there are three options. We can look sideways for help from others, look in a mirror at ourselves for help through self-reliance, or look up and know true help through someone so much greater than anything we can imagine. Looking up to the mountains for help means being able to glance over any mountain'"whether that involves health, money, fidelity, etc.

²⁶ What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

One of the most well-known verses of the bible, Matthew 16:26 shows it can be easy to become sidetracked from life's purpose with dreams of fame, wealth, and "the whole world." The phrase "sold his soul to the devil" is well known and what a waste for someone who does! Eternity is forever'"this life is for now. What happens after this life will be forever and those who sell their soul or "gain the whole world" will be suffering forever. Our souls are priceless and not to be taken lightly. Being humble and not having "the whole world" means rough times will ensue but with God's help we will get through them.

Jeremiah 29:11

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Life often brings situations we cannot control. It can be easy when times are bad to think God's plans for us are bad. During the time I took chemotherapy for cancer treatment my dad told me to ask God a question then open my bible and see the answer. Jeremiah 29:11 was a verse I turned to several times. In hindsight I see God was trying to tell me not to worry. Sometimes we aren't healed in the way we would like to be. Even then this biblical verse says God has good plans for us'"his plans. This biblical scripture reminds us not to lose hope no matter how dark the circumstance appears. He has good plans for us and that is inspiring.