What the Bible Says About Encouragement

If you find yourself in a dark season or going through hard times, hang on to these words of encouragement from God’s word. These uplifting verses remind us that although the world is fallen, God is still faithful. Even in the midst of darkness, we have hope. Be reminded of God’s love and sovereignty through these encouraging Bible verses.

Encouraging Promises

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

— Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."

— Zephaniah 3:17, NIV

Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight."

— Joshua 10:25, NIV

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

— Psalm 94:18–19, NIV

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

— Isaiah 41:13, NIV

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

— Isaiah 43:2, NIV

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

— Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

— Joshua 1:9, NIV

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

— Matthew 11:28, NIV

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

— Psalm 32:8, NIV

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

— Isaiah 41:10, NIV

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

— Galatians 6:9, NIV

Encouragement for Daily Life

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the LORD is not in vain.

— 1 Corinthians 15:58, NIV

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

— John 14:27, NIV

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

— Psalm 31:24, NIV

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

— 1 Corinthians 16:13, NIV

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

— John 16:33, NIV

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

— Romans 8:31, NIV

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

— Luke 12:6-7, NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

— Philippians 4:6–7, NIV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

— Proverbs 3:5–6, NIV

"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or "What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

— Matthew 6:31–34, NIV

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

— 1 Peter 5:6–7, NIV

The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

— Proverbs 28:1, NIV

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

— Psalm 112:7, NIV

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

— Romans 15:4, NIV

Encouragement for Christians

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

— 2 Corinthians 4:16, NIV

“‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

— Revelation 7:16-17, NIV

For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.

— 2 Corinthians 1:5, NIV

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.

— Isaiah 40:31, NIV

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

— Psalm 23:4, NIV

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

— 2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.

— Psalm 90:17, NIV

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

— Psalm 34:4–5, 8, NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

— Romans 8:28, NIV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

— Romans 15:13, NIV

“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

— Revelation 21:4, NIV

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

— 2 Timothy 1:7, NIV

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

— Psalm 31:24, NIV

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

— Philippians 4:13, NIV

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

— Psalm 46:11, NIV

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

— Psalm 27:1, NIV

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

— 1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation."

— Isaiah 12:2, NIV

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

— Psalm 16:8, NIV

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

— Psalm 27:12-14, NIV

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

— Isaiah 26:3, NIV

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

— Matthew 17:20, NIV

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

— 1 John 4:18, NIV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

— 2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

— Ephesians 6:10, NIV

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

— Psalm 121:1-2, NIV

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

— Psalm 55:22, NIV

The Lord is my strength and my defense ; he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: "The Lord's right hand has done mighty things! The Lord's right hand is lifted high; the Lord's right hand has done mighty things!"

— Psalm 118:14-16, NIV

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

— Psalm 37:23-24, NIV

Encouragement in the Church

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.

— Colossians 2:2, NIV

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

— Romans 1:11-12, NIV

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

— 1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

— 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

— Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.

— Romans 15:5, NIV

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

— Romans 15:2, NIV

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

— Colossians 3:15, NIV

May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

— 1 Thessalonians 3:13, NIV

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

— Philippians 1:27, NIV

Examples of Encouragement in the Bible

"Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed," he said. "Peace! Be strong now; be strong." When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength."

— Daniel 10:19, NIV

“Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight."

— 1 Chronicles 19:13, NIV

“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.”

— Jeremiah 29:11, NIV

“Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight."

— 2 Samuel 10:12, NIV

The Lord gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: "Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you."

— Deuteronomy 31:23, NIV

“Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it."

— Ezra 10:4, NIV

“With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles." And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

— 2 Chronicles 32:8, NIV

David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.”

— 1 Chronicles 28:20, NIV

Encourage a Child in the Lord. Sponsor a Child Today!

At Compassion, we equip sponsors to encourage children and lift the children out of the darkness of poverty. Poverty can make children feel hopeless and invisible. They can forget they are one-of-a-kind, treasured and made in God’s image. Child sponsorship reminds them that they are valuable, loved and cared about. As a sponsor, you can be God’s voice of encouragement through letters and prayer.