Encouragement, Hope and Strength
God’s word is incredibly relevant and is the source of hope, encouragement, and truth we can turn to in the midst of this pandemic, and any hardship we will ever face. Look to these ten verses to give you hope.
God Is Our Strength
1. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging” (Psalm 46:1-3).
2. "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).
The reality is that we will face trials. We will endure pandemics, we will face many unexpected and difficult battles on a global level and in our personal lives. God knows all of this and the details of what you face. He will be with you as your help and source of strength to get through whatever you go through. We can even let go of fear and let faith take over our biggest concerns. Jesus overcame the world so that we could have peace, hope, and faith in Him.
Turn Your Thoughts
3. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”
4. “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. Brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:6-8).
We may be overwhelmed with fear, anxiety, and worry. We may constantly be thinking about the pandemic, watching the news about it, and searching the internet to find out more about COVID-19. May the instruction from God’s word give us new practices to direct our minds to God and His goodness, love, and mercy during the most difficult of times. Whenever our minds wander to what causes us fear or anxiety, we can stop and instead, begin to pray and give our worries over to Jesus.
God Is with Us
5. “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 comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).
6. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
What a comfort that one of the last things Jesus wanted to tell His followers was that He would be with us to the very end of time. However lonely or isolated we feel, we can remind ourselves and meditate on God’s promise that He is with us every step of the way. God is our comforter, and He is with us no matter what we are going through.
7. “Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge” (Psalm 16:1).
8. “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe”
Whatever happens in the coming weeks and months, we as believers are assured that we have a hiding place in the Lord and are protected by Him. We can call on Jesus to keep us safe and trust that His perfect will shall be done in our lives when we call upon Him. We can turn to Him in every situation to find shelter and safety.
God Will Deliver Us
9. “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7).
10. “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all” (Psalm 34:19).
God will deliver us! This pandemic has a time limit, just like all of our troubles do. At some point, though not known to us, this will end. And we will have learned a great deal about ourselves, our world, and hopefully, have a deeper trust in the God who was with us, protected us, and delivered us.
God Will Restore
Here’s a bonus passage that reminds us about the lasting hope we have in God. This Psalm tells of the promise made that He will see us through, and God will return our smiling, and laughter, and restore what has been lost.
11. Psalm 126
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
"The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, Lord,
like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.