In these hard times, we need the Bible to strengthen and encourage us. I’ve put together a Scripture Plan for Trying Times from my lists of Bible verses on fear, loneliness, hope, God’s love and victory. You can download the free Scripture Plan and meditate on each reading over 30 days.
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Unless otherwise stated the Scripture References are taken from the Christian Standard Bible. While referring to lots of different versions in my study, I generally use the CSB Study Bible for Women on kindle.
In her book, Women of the Word, Jen Wilken writes about seeing her interaction with the Bible as a savings account.
I stretch my understanding daily, I deposit what I glean, and I patiently wait for it to accumulate in value, knowing that one day I will need to draw on it.
I have thought of this often in the past week as we settle into a life of lock-down. This seems like a time to withdraw some of the treasures I have invested.
As I’ve looked over the lists of Bible verses I’ve created for this website, I see they all contain verses that are helpful for these trying times – verses on fear, loneliness, hope, God’s love and victory.
So, I’ve taken verses from these lists and put them together into a Scripture Plan for Trying Times to see us through the next 30 days. Take longer over them if you like. Camp on a verse or passage and meditate on it, study it or journal it. You may want to do a verse map or a word study.
Bible Verses on Fear for trying times
We begin with verses on fear. Handing our fears over to God is a good place to start.
These verses from Philippians don’t just tell us not to worry, but what we should think about instead.
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:6-9
Further reading, with printable list: Bible verses about Fear
Bible Verses on Loneliness for Trying Times
Is loneliness something you are struggling with right now? Whether you are physically alone or feeling distant or abandoned then God wants to speak to you too.
Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 35-39
Further reading with printable list: What does the Bible says about loneliness?
Bible Verses on hope for Trying Times
The Bible does not dismiss, ignore or deny hard times, but meets us in these places and encourages us with verses of hope. Like these verses from Isaiah 40:28-31
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the whole earth.
He never becomes faint or weary;
there is no limit to his understanding.
He gives strength to the faint
and strengthens the powerless.
Youths may become faint and weary,
and young men stumble and fall,
but those who trust in the Lord
will renew their strength;
they will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not become weary,
they will walk and not faint.
Further Reading, with printable list: 26 Bible Verses about Hope
Bible verses on God’s love for Trying Times
There are so many verses on God’s Love. Here’s just one from the Psalms. This Scripture Plan includes a number of reading that are only one or two verses. Don’t rush these verses, take time to meditate on them, perhaps recording them in a journal or verse mapping.
How priceless your faithful love is, God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7
Further Reading, with printable list: 52 Bible Verses on God’s Love
These books are available on kindle (and some are free) so you can still purchase them, and get immediate access, without leaving your home or requiring someone else to deliver them!
Bible Verses on victory for Trying Times
As we face uncertain days we can still trust that God has the victory.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV
Further Reading, with printable list: Bible Verses about Victory
Use the form below to download your FREE Scripture Plan for Trying Times.
So, that’s just a small selection of the verses in this Scripture Plan for Trying times. Which is a small selection from my lists of Bible Verses. Which is, of course, a small selection of helpful verse from the Bible! What other verses are you turning to for strength and encouragement at this time?
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