20 Bible Verses About Strength for Hard Times
Some seasons ask more of us than we have. The Bible's answer isn't “try harder” — it points to a strength that isn't ours to begin with. These 20 verses are for the days when you're running on empty.
God as your strength
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Philippians 4:13 (KJV)
Paul wrote this from prison — it's about contentment and endurance in any circumstance.
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.”
Psalm 28:7 (KJV)
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1 (KJV)
“The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation.”
Exodus 15:2 (KJV)
“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”
Psalm 18:2 (KJV)
Six images stacked together — the psalmist runs out of metaphors before God runs out of protection.
“The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.”
Psalm 118:14 (KJV)
Strength for the weary
“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”
Isaiah 40:29 (KJV)
The only qualification listed is having nothing left.
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)
Weakness isn't the obstacle to God's strength — it's the doorway.
“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.”
Psalm 73:26 (KJV)
“The joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV)
Spoken to people in tears — joy here isn't a mood, it's a lifeline.
Courage for what's ahead
“Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Joshua 1:9 (KJV)
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV)
“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?”
Psalm 27:1 (KJV)
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”
Ephesians 6:10 (KJV)
Strength for the long road
“The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.”
Habakkuk 3:19 (KJV)
Deer feet are made for steep, dangerous ground — exactly where you may be walking now.
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.”
1 Chronicles 16:11 (KJV)
“But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (KJV)
“If God be for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31 (KJV)
The final word for every hard season.
Carry one with you
Don't try to hold all twenty — pick one verse for this season and let it follow you through the day. Save it to your favorites in SoulVerse, or put it on your Lock Screen as a widget so it's the first thing you see each morning. Strength, like bread, is given daily.
Keep Scripture in front of you every day
SoulVerse puts a daily Bible verse on your Lock Screen and Home Screen, works fully offline with 16 translations, and includes an AI Bible chat that explains any passage. Free to try, no ads ever.
Download SoulVerse freeFrequently asked questions
What is the most famous Bible verse about strength?
Philippians 4:13 — 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me' — is probably the best-known strength verse, closely followed by Isaiah 40:31 about renewing strength like eagles' wings.
What does the Bible say about strength in hard times?
The Bible consistently locates strength outside ourselves: 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble' (Psalm 46:1). It also reframes weakness — 'My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness' (2 Corinthians 12:9) — meaning hard times are where God's strength shows up most clearly.
How do I hold on to these verses during a difficult season?
Choose one or two and keep them visible: write them down, memorize them, or put them on your phone's Lock Screen with a verse widget so they meet you throughout the day without any effort.