Inspirational Bible Verses for Difficult Times

If there is one thing we all have in common, it is that we all have problems. In what is believed to be the oldest book in the Bible, Job put it very succinctly.

Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. -Job 14:1 KJV

At first blush, this would not seem to be one of the most inspirational bible verses. But, I find great comfort in it. I feel as though I careen from catastrophe to disaster, with a little chaos to lighten the mood. I don't mean to say that I have a bad life. I don't. I have a great life -- full of trouble. But, this verse points out a universal truth. We have only a few days and they are full of strife. Me, you, and everybody else on the face of the earth have troubles. Granted, some have more than their share. But we all have them. They say misery loves company. I say they're right.

I am not content to just have the trouble that comes around. Apparently, I like to make more for myself. You know what I'm talking about. We all have had trouble that we bring onto ourselves. When we are not living the way we know we ought, things tend to go awry. On the upside, every mistake is a learning opportunity.

For those whom the Lord loves he disciplines, and he scourges every son whom he receives. -Heb 12:6 NASB

Scourges -- ouch. The scourge was a type of whip used by the Romans to afflict severe damage. Again, we have a verse that is not commonly thought of as one of the Bible verses that are inspirational. But, we need inspiration the most when life is kicking us in the teeth. I know I have made some horrible mistakes in my life. The consequences were so bad; they definitely qualified as a spiritual scourging. But, at least I didn't go through it for nothing. One of God's greatest gifts is that we learn from our mistakes. The Bible says that this is one of the ways that God shows his parental love for us. It is a shoddy parent, indeed, that doesn't discipline his child.

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? -Heb 12:7 NLT

Then there are the situations that occur through no fault of our own. A grave diagnosis. An abusive childhood. Natural disaster. It is little consolation to hear that your situation has happened for a reason. Tragedy is not a blessing. There is, however, a verse in the Bible that promises that no matter how horrible a situation, God can bring some good from it.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. -Prov 8:28.

Of all the Bible verses that are inspirational, this is probably the most famous. It offers great hope, that no matter how bad it gets, God can bring good from it. In 2001, the man I was in love with died. To say I was devastated would be an understatement. Now, on the other side of the grief, I can see God's promise at work. After his death, I moved to Atlanta. There I met and married my soul mate. My former love's death was tragic and I still miss him. But, from this awful event, God was able to bring a joy into my life that I would have not known. We now have two children and are growing in God together.

When we come through tragedy, we can comfort others with a compassion that comes from having been there.

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. -2 Cor 1:34 NLT

We all have trouble. If we keep our eyes on God, He promises that all our problems work together for good. We can grow from our mistakes and we can comfort others from our experiences. This brings me to the verse that is probably my all-time favorite.

If God be for us, who can be against us? -Romans 8:31 NIV