Words of encouragement to a friend feeling down bible

Sometimes, reading just a few short words can provide you with a feeling of encouragement when you need a vote of confidence to make a change in your life. On the harder days, when you need motivation, reading and listening to the words of God can give you a boost of energy and offer clarity about what's next. Encouraging Bible verses will achieve both of these goals, as well as fill you with hope about life even if what's on the horizon feels so far away in the moment.

The Lord's encouraging words will offer comforting wisdom so you can rediscover the strength you already have within yourself, and push through these more difficult times of stress, worry, grief, or pain. You can read or recite these encouraging Bible quotes, or even share a few with family and friends so you can uplift each other. Finding encouragement in your everyday life can be a tall order, but know that God is listening and ready to provide solace when you need it most. As you read this list of the top encouraging Bible verses, let the words of the Lord guide you towards strength and passion.

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“I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.”

“Be strong! Be fearless! Don’t be afraid and don’t be scared by your enemies, because the Lord your God is the one who marches with you. He won’t let you down, and he won’t abandon you.”

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary.”

“The Lord is my strength and my power; he has become my salvation. This is my God, whom I will praise, the God of my ancestors, whom I will acclaim.”

“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and his powerful strength.”

“Because the Lord your God is going with you to fight your enemies for you and to save you.”

“I’ve commanded you to be brave and strong, haven’t I? Don’t be alarmed or terrified, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

“God didn’t give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled.”

“All you who wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage.”

“My body and my heart fail, but God is my heart’s rock and my share forever.”

“He said to me, ‘My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.’ So I’ll gladly spend my time bragging about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power can rest on me.”

“I’ve said these things to you so that you will have peace in me. In the world you have distress. But be encouraged! I have conquered the world.”

“Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

“We live by faith and not by sight.”

“It’s impossible to please God without faith because the one who draws near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards people who try to find him.”

“Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad. Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth.”

“Now faith, hope, and love remain — these three things — and the greatest of these is love.”

“So what are we going to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He didn’t spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. Won’t he also freely give us all things with him?”

“Endurance produces character, and character produces hope. This hope doesn’t put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

“The person who doesn’t love does not know God, because God is love. This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him.”

“The arrogant rise up against me, God. A gang of violent people want me dead. They don’t give a thought for you. But you, my Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy; you are very patient and full of faithful love.”

“Examine me, Lord; put me to the test! Purify my mind and my heart. Because your faithful love is right in front of me — I walk in your truth! I don’t spend time with people up to no good; I don’t keep company with liars.”

“So those who think they are standing need to watch out or else they may fall. No temptation has seized you that isn’t common for people. But God is faithful. He won’t allow you to be tempted beyond your abilities. Instead, with the temptation, God will also supply a way out so that you will be able to endure it.”

“Enter his gates with thanks; enter his courtyards with praise! Thank him! Bless his name! Because the Lord is good, his loyal love lasts forever; his faithfulness lasts generation after generation.”

“I, I am the one who comforts you. Why should you fear humans who will die, mortals who are treated like grass?”

“In the same way, the Spirit comes to help our weakness. We don’t know what we should pray, but the Spirit himself pleads our case with unexpressed groans.”

“He will also confirm your testimony about Christ until the end so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and you were called by him to partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

“When the righteous cry out, the Lord listens; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those whose spirits are crushed.”

“Aren’t five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them is overlooked by God. Even the hairs on your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”

“Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live.”

Kelsey Hurwitz Assistant Digital Editor Kelsey Hurwitz is the assistant editor of WomansDay.com, and covers entertainment, holidays, pets, and good news.

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