Often life can get us down. We have good days and bad ones. At times, you may feel like you can’t get through the day. You want to know what Bible verses about strength you can turn to during those times.
I remember a time when I was in a constant state of anxiety, physically. This period of time lasted for several weeks. I’m not sure all that was wrong with me, but the illness did stem from a traumatic experience related to a severe medication side effect.
How did I get through it?
Well, God gave me His strength. Not only that, He gave me a real sense of His presence in the midst of the trial.
If you’re going through difficult circumstances, and you’re a Christian, chances are you pray for strength. Perhaps you’re wondering where to turn to in the Scriptures regarding this subject. Check out the following verses and information below…
1. Psalm 18:1-2: I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of salvation, my stronghold.
The Lord not only gives us strength, He is our strength.
The above words describe God’s strength in terms of protection.
The first sentence addresses the Lord as the psalmist’s strength. Related to God’s strength are His defensive qualities described in the following ways…
• Rock
• Fortress
• Deliverer
• Shield
• Horn of salvation
• Stronghold
Together, these terms suggest ideas of safety, protection, and the great strength of our God.
Overall, the encouragement is to take refuge in Him to experience His strength.
2. Isaiah 40:29-31
“He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
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.”
This passage explains how we can find strength in God. This passage shows the connection between hope and strength. As we hope or wait on the Lord—that is keep the faith in times of waiting--God gives us the strength to get through each situation. Even though it may look like God is not at work, always consider how God sees the big picture.
3. Psalm 27:1: The Lord is my Light and my Salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
Because God is the strength of our lives, we don’t need to be afraid. His strength is mentioned in addition to His light and ability to save.
The Psalm is in the context of worship.
As we read about who God is and what He has done, we are moved to say things like, “I want to dwell with the Lord and gaze on His beauty…” (27:4).
4. Psalm 73:26: My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Despite weaknesses and failures in this temporary life on earth, think of the eternal picture. God's strength is something we can experience forever.
5. Habakkuk 3:19: The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights.
The kind of strength this is referring to from a spiritual standpoint is the ability to rise above challenging circumstances. As we go on this journey, we need His strength to keep the faith and press forward.
Regarding the feet of a deer analogy, the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges explains...
"The points in the comparison are perhaps swiftness and security. What is suggested is the freshness of life, the power and confidence in action, which is felt to be drawn from God."
God "makes" our feet strong in that way. How do we get this strength? Keep praying for that kind of empowerment. Seek the Lord as you spend quality time with Him and in His Word.
6. II Corinthians 12:9-10: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
What is implied in this passage is humility, whereby we allow God's power to rest on us. We acknowledge not deny our weaknesses. Many people stop at the point of weakness and stay stuck in despair. Following the Apostle Paul's example, the underlying message is that your attitude matters. Do you want God's power to rest on you when you are struggling? Start boasting gladly about your weaknesses!
7. I. Cor. 16: 13: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
The language is similar to Ephesians 6:10-20, in particular verse 10 of that chapter, where it says be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
The Ephesians 6 passage emphasizes standing your ground. See below for more on that passage. In 1 Cor. 16:13, we are instructed to be on guard and stand firm.
The repeated instruction to stand firm along with similar phrases like be on guard, stand your ground, etc. all have to do with resisting and not giving any space for the enemy (who uses negativity, etc.) to undermine our relationship with the Lord.
8. Ephesians 6:10: Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
In whatever spiritual battles we face, we find strength in the Lord alone. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might and not in something else that has lesser or no power to help you. Drugs, alcohol, or some other type of addiction might seem to help for a time with a temporary quick fix. God's power though truly helps us-- not only in the long run, but forever, without wearing off as addictive medicine will.
9. Phil. 4:13--I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Whatever your life situation is, you can find the strength to be content. God is the one who helps you get through each day and circumstance. Even though you may encounter challenges to your plans, the encouragement is to live out the strength God gives. As a result, you remain content, at peace, and joyful in Him.
10. Ephesians 3:16-17: I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being… so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…
One of my seminary professors, Dr. Ben Witherington 111, points out that the construction of these verses contains a parallelism.
Basically, this means that what is emphasized is the work God does in our hearts.
Included in the emphasis is repetition not of exact words but of a similar phrase…
• In your inner being
• In your hearts
The encouragement is that God has an abundance to offer us, which includes strength. This strength comes from His Holy Spirit. As a result, Christ lives in us through faith.
In context, the Apostle Paul prayed this for the Ephesian church community. We can also pray for each other in this way.
Keep seeking the Lord and the power of His Spirit.
Perhaps you would like to share Bible verses about strength that have spoken to you and your situation. Feel free to share, and I'd be glad to add some more to the list above. Send the verses and reference information to joecopywriter2020@gmail.com.
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A related page to the one here regarding Bible verses on strength has to do with perseverance. God's strength helps us persevere. For three steps on how to persevere in the Christian journey as well as 10 specific Bible verses/passages on the subject, check out:
Bible Verses on Perseverance (encouragementscriptures.com)
See also: https://hiswordfirst.blogspot.com/2015/04/kingdom-treasures.html
Here is another link: https://thecreatorsclassroom.com/
https://thecreatorsclassroom.com/encouraging-bible-verses-for-feeling-overwhelmed/