Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Hard Times?

12 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Hard Times in the Bible

Discover 14 powerful Bible verses about hard times. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential life circumstances topic.

12
Total Verses
4
Old Testament
8
New Testament

Top 10 Verses About Hard Times

  1. 1
    Deuteronomy 31:8
    And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
    KJV
  2. 2
    Joshua 1:9
    Have not I commanded thee? 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.
    KJV
  3. 3
    Psalms 50:15
    And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
    KJV
  4. 4
    Isaiah 41:10
    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.
    KJV
  5. 5
    John 16:33
    These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
    KJV
  6. 6
    Romans 5:3
    And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
    KJV
  7. 7
    Romans 8:18
    For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
    KJV
  8. 8
    Romans 8:28
    And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
    KJV
  9. 9
    Romans 8:31
    What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
    KJV
  10. 10
    Philippians 4:6
    Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
    KJV

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Hard Times? (4 Verses)

And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Have not I commanded thee? 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.
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
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.

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Hard Times? (8 Verses)

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; temptations: or, trials
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried , he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

How to Study What the Bible Says About Hard Times

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about hard times. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about hard times and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about hard times is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on hard times needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about hard times with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about hard times, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Hard Times?

You have studied 12 verses about hard times. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about hard times?
Discover 14 powerful Bible verses about hard times. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential life circumstances topic. The Bible contains 12 key verses about hard times spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about hard times are there?
There are 12 key Bible verses about hard times compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about hard times?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about hard times is Deuteronomy 31:8 — "And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."
Where in the Bible does it talk about hard times?
Hard Times is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 12 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

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