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We can all agree that life is full of uncertainty, right? Yet, we get up every morning with the courage and determination to make the best of the cards we have been dealt for the day. We do so with faith and hope that something amazing will occur through our positive outlook and persistence.
There are and will be difficult seasons in life, but we must be determined to make the effort to try and hold things together… even when it feels like we are in a boat on the ocean with holes in it, attempting to apply duct tape to keep ourselves from going under. Similarly, it may feel like we are trying to put out a forest fire (our problems) with a garden hose.
None of these should deter us because, by nature, we are courageous, diligent, and resilient. God built us to endure suffering with faith.
What is Courage, and Why is it Needed?
When you have courage, you have the mental fortitude to step out, persevere, and withstand difficult and fearful situations. Moreover, bible verses teach us that we can live with even more extraordinary courage because we have our Heavenly Father, the Almighty God of the universe, on our side.
I had a lesson in courage when I was 11-years-old. We had a basketball net in the front yard and, one day while shooting hoops, the ball rolled into my neighbor's yard as he happened to be outside. Out of nowhere, he begins to complain… yelling at me, using profanity and being a bully.
Afterward, it took every ounce of courage I could muster to step outside and play every day; but I wanted to be great at the sport and didn't want to let him stop me.
Then, one day, my neighbor came out of his house and began to threaten me again… not realizing that my dad was in the garage and within earshot of the conversation. At 6'7″ tall, my dad got involved and I saw the neighbor shrink back in fear and apologize for his actions. Needless to say, the neighbor never said anything out of the way to me again.
Fortunately, I realized that my biggest mistake was taking on the problem alone and that I should have gotten my father involved sooner. Even though things still felt awkward, I could confidently play basketball in the front yard because of my father.
Similarly, as Christians, we can still overcome difficult times in life because of our relationship with the Heavenly Father. Let God get involved.
In most cases, as husbands, wives, parents, caretakers, spiritual leaders, etc., we have many people depending on us. Therefore, we need courage to not give up when the going gets tough.
We don't have to look for difficulties; they have a way of finding us. But our Heavenly Father, bigger and stronger than any problem or adversity we face, can give us greater confidence as we navigate challenging times.
So, courage is needed to take the first step in any process and keep going, but God helps us by faith to know deep within that everything will be alright. This enables us to have a tremendous sense of courage because we expect the outcome of our circumstances to get better.
As the old song says, “Lord, you don't have to move my mountain” but give me the strength to climb it. We have to remain courageous.
Here are a few bible verses about courage to inspire you and give you hope.
25 Bible Verses About Having Courage During Tough Times
1. Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
2. Ephesians 6:10-13
“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. “
3. 1st Corinthians 16:13
“Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong.”
4. 1st Chronicles 28:20
“Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and take action; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor abandon you [but will guide you in the construction] until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.”
5. Ezra 10:4
“Stand up, for it is your duty, and we will be with you. Be brave and act.”
6. Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].”
7. Esther 4:14-16
“For if you remain silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father's house will perish [since you did not help when you had the chance]. And who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time as this [and for this very purpose]?” Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews that are present in Susa, and observe a fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids also will fast in the same way. Then I will go in to [see] the king [without being summoned], which is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”
8. Isaiah 35:4
“Say to those with an anxious and panic-stricken heart, “Be strong, fear not! Indeed, your God will come with vengeance [for the ungodly]; The retribution of God will come, But He will save you.”
9. John 16:33
“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]”
10. Hebrews 13:6
“So, we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, “The Lord is my Helper [in time of need]; I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”
So, we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, “The Lord is my Helper [in time of need]; I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” – Hebrews 13:6
11. 2nd Timothy 1:7
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind, and self-control].”
12. Haggai 2:4
“But now be courageous, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord, ‘be courageous also, Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and be courageous, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ declares the Lord of hosts.”
13. Psalms 18:39
“For You have encircled me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.”
14. Acts 27:25
“So, keep up your courage, men, for I believe in God and have complete confidence in Him that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.”
15. 2nd Chronicles 15:7
“But as for you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.”
16. John 14:27
“Peace, I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.].”
17. Psalms 23:4
“Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.”
18. Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.].”
19. Mark 5:36
“Overhearing what was being said, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; only keep on believing [in Me and my power].”
Overhearing what was being said, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; only keep on believing [in Me and my power].” – Mark 5:36
20. Matthew 10:16-20
“Listen carefully: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves [have no self-serving agenda]. Beware of men [whose nature is to act in opposition to God], for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you within that [very] hour; for it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
21. 1st Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].”
22. Psalms 56:3-4
“When I am afraid, I will put my trust and faith in You. In God, whose word I praise; In God, I have put my trust; I shall not fear. What can mere man do to me?”
23. Psalms 112:7
“He will not fear bad news; His heart is steadfast, trusting [confidently relying on and believing] in the Lord.”
24. Isaiah 41:10-13
“‘Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’ “Indeed, all those who are angry with you will be put to shame and humiliated; Those who strive against you will be as nothing and will perish. You shall search for those who quarrel with you, but will not find them; They who war against you will be as nothing, as nothing at all. “For I the Lord your God keep hold of your right hand; [I am the Lord], Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.”
25. Psalms 27:1-3
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the refuge and fortress of my life— Whom shall I dread? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though an army encamps against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arises against me, even in this I am confident.”
Final Thoughts on 25 Bible Verses About Having Courage During Tough Times
Remember that you aren't being courageous just for the sake of being courageous. We all understand that there is some risk involved when it comes to facing life's challenges, or there would be no need for courage.
However, most of us know the most significant failure is when we don't step out and take on challenging situations. So, step out the right way. Step out while placing your faith in the Lord, your Heavenly Father.
God can take away much of the stress, fear, dread, loneliness, and anxiety that come during tough times. And He will always be there with you and never forsake you.
And if you want more inspirational bible verses, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 23 Bible Verses About Belonging to a Community
- 27 Best Bible Verses About Success & Prosperity
- 21 Bible Verses About Having Self-Control in Your Life
