Suffering is a window into the soul. It shows us who we really are, what we’re trusting in, and where our hope is found. It often reveals the idols of our hearts and our deepest weaknesses.
God often allows us to pass through the furnace of affliction to meet us there and transform us into His image. Knowing this, we can press on in suffering expectant of God’s grace and power to work in us. And yet each day may challenge our faith and perseverance.
Use these 25 Bible verses about suffering to encourage, comfort, and challenge you to pursue Christ with greater steadfastness and humility. Make these verses your prayer, and go deeper in the Scriptures by studying each verse in their context.
My prayer for you is that of the apostle Paul in Romans 15:13:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12
“It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” Psalms 119:71 [read: A Theology of Suffering in Nutshell]
“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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
“For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” 2 Corinthians 1:8-9
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus…Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:6-7, 11–13
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5
“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
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (Read: Why You Should Memorize Psalm 23)
“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” Psalm 119:50
“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
“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 27:13-14
“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. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:28-29
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-38
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
“The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”
Psalm 34:19
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2–4
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17
“May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.” Psalm 119:76
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” Philippians 3:10
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” Job 1:20-21
“He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 8:3
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12
“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.'” 1 Peter 3:14
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21
“He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.” Isaiah 53:3–4
If you’re looking for deeper encouragement from the Bible for your suffering, read one or all of these entire books:
God’s Purpose for Your Suffering by Charles Spurgeon
Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Tim Keller
I’m Praying for You: 40 Days of Praying the Bible for Someone Who is Suffering by Nancy Guthrie
O Death, Where Is Your Sting? Classic Sermons on Dying in Christ and Our Heavenly Hope by Charles Spurgeon
When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty by Joni Eareckson Tada
Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges (or check out condensed version: 31 Days of Trusting God)
Hope for When it Hurts: Biblical reflections to help you grasp God’s purpose in your suffering by Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton
Though You Slay Me – Shane & Shane featuring John Piper
When Trials Come – Keith & Kristyn Getty
It Is Well With My Soul
Petra – More Power to Ya
The Terrible Truth: Suffering Is Not For Nothing with Elisabeth Elliot
None of Our Misery is Meaningless by John Piper
God Will Give You Strength by H.B. Charles Jr.
How to Pray When You Are in Agony of Soul by Colin Smith
Want posts like this in your inbox? Subscribe to my newsletter and never miss post. (Plus, get a free eBook!)
Howdy saints! Welcome to the Anchored in Christ newsletter, where each month you'll get a…
This free mini course shares several practical prayer tips to help you. Each session has…
Confession: I have struggled to read the book of Revelation. I've had seasons where the…
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is as historically certain as any ancient event. Kenneth Samples…
Howdy newcomers to the Anchored in Christ newsletter! 👋 Every month I send out a…
Note: The following is an excerpt from David Kaywood’s brand new book, A Call to…