138 Bible verses about joy in adversity

My brothers and sisters, you will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, think of it as pure joy.Human anger doesn’t produce the holy life God wants.So get rid of everything that is sinful. Get rid of the evil that is all around us. Don’t be too proud to accept the word that is planted in you. It can save you.Don’t just listen to the word. You fool yourselves if you do that. You must do what it says.Suppose someone listens to the word but doesn’t do what it says. Then they are like a person who looks at their face in a mirror.After looking at themselves, they leave. And right away they forget what they look like.But suppose someone takes a good look at the perfect law that gives freedom. And they keep looking at it. Suppose they don’t forget what they’ve heard, but they do what the law says. Then this person will be blessed in what they do.Suppose people think their beliefs and how they live are both right. But they don’t control what they say. Then they are fooling themselves. Their beliefs and way of life are not worth anything at all.Here are the beliefs and way of life that God our Father accepts as pure and without fault. When widows are in trouble, take care of them. Do the same for children who have no parents. And don’t let the world make you impure.Your faith will be tested. You know that when this happens it will produce in you the strength to continue.

And that’s not all. We are full of joy even when we suffer. We know that our suffering gives us the strength to go on.The strength to go on produces character. Character produces hope.And hope will never bring us shame. That’s because God’s love has been poured into our hearts. This happened through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Because you know all this, you have great joy. You have joy even though you may have had to suffer for a little while. You may have had to suffer sadness in all kinds of trouble.Your troubles have come in order to prove that your faith is real. Your faith is worth more than gold. That’s because gold can pass away even when fire has made it pure. Your faith is meant to bring praise, honor and glory to God. This will happen when Jesus Christ returns.

His anger lasts for only a moment. But his favor lasts for a person’s whole life. Weeping can stay for the night. But joy comes in the morning.

Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful!

I will thank the Lord at all times. My lips will always praise him.

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. He appointed them to be saved in keeping with his purpose.

Always be joyful.Never stop praying.Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank him because you believe in Christ Jesus.

Those who cry as they plant their crops will sing with joy when they gather them in.Those who go out weeping as they carry seeds to plant will come back singing with joy. They will bring the new crop back with them.

He wants me to help those in Zion who are filled with sorrow. I will put beautiful crowns on their heads in place of ashes. I will anoint them with olive oil to give them joy instead of sorrow. I will give them a spirit of praise in place of a spirit of sadness. They will be like oak trees that are strong and straight. The Lord himself will plant them in the land. That will show how glorious he is.

A huge cloud of witnesses is all around us. So let us throw off everything that stands in our way. Let us throw off any sin that holds on to us so tightly. And let us keep on running the race marked out for us.Our parents trained us for a little while. They did what they thought was best. But God trains us for our good. He does this so we may share in his holiness.No training seems pleasant at the time. In fact, it seems painful. But later on it produces a harvest of godliness and peace. It does this for those who have been trained by it.So put your hands to work. Strengthen your legs for the journey.“Make level paths for your feet to walk on.” (Proverbs 4:26) Then those who have trouble walking won’t be disabled. Instead, they will be healed.Try your best to live in peace with everyone. Try hard to be holy. Without holiness no one will see the Lord.Be sure that no one misses out on God’s grace. See to it that a bitter plant doesn’t grow up. If it does, it will cause trouble. And it will make many people impure.See to it that no one commits sexual sins. See to it that no one is godless like Esau. He sold the rights to what he would receive as the oldest son. He sold them for a single meal.As you know, after that he wanted to receive his father’s blessing. But he was turned away. With tears he tried to get the blessing. But he couldn’t change what he had done.You haven’t come to a mountain that can be touched. You haven’t come to a mountain burning with fire. You haven’t come to darkness, gloom and storm.You haven’t come to a blast from God’s trumpet. You haven’t come to a voice speaking to you. When people heard that voice long ago, they begged it not to say anything more to them.Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the one who started this journey of faith. And he is the one who completes the journey of faith. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy he was looking forward to. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I’ve had my share of trouble and suffering. But your commands give me delight.

Blessed are those who suffer for doing what is right. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.“Blessed are you when people make fun of you and hurt you because of me. You are also blessed when they tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me.Be joyful and glad. Your reward in heaven is great. In the same way, people hurt the prophets who lived long ago.

But I will always have hope. I will praise you more and more.

We want you to be very strong, in keeping with his glorious power. We want you to be patient. We pray that you will never give up.

A cheerful heart makes you healthy. But a broken spirit dries you up.

The Lord has done it on this day. Let us be joyful today and be glad.

You will pass through deep waters. But I will be with you. You will pass through the rivers. But their waters will not sweep over you. You will walk through fire. But you will not be burned. The flames will not harm you.

No matter what happens, live in a way that brings honor to the good news about Christ. Then I will know that you remain strong together in the one Spirit. I will know this if I come and see you or only hear about you. I will know that you work together as one person. I will know that you work to spread the teachings about the good news.So don’t be afraid in any way of those who oppose you. This will show them that they will be destroyed and that you will be saved. That’s what God will do.

The Lord has done great things for us. And we are filled with joy.

My spirit, why are you so sad? Why are you so upset deep down inside me? Put your hope in God. Once again I will have reason to praise him. He is my Savior and my God.

We don’t give up. Our bodies are becoming weaker and weaker. But our spirits are being renewed day by day.Our troubles are small. They last only for a short time. But they are earning for us a glory that will last forever. It is greater than all our troubles.So we don’t spend all our time looking at what we can see. Instead, we look at what we can’t see. That’s because what can be seen lasts only a short time. But what can’t be seen will last forever.

“Come to me, all you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest.Become my servants and learn from me. I am gentle and free of pride. You will find rest for your souls.They asked Jesus, “Are you the one who is supposed to come? Or should we look for someone else?”Serving me is easy, and my load is light.”

Be strong, all you who put your hope in the Lord. Never give up.

But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithfuland gentle and having control of oneself. There is no law against things of that kind.

When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful.

A happy heart makes a face look cheerful. But a sad heart produces a broken spirit.

My body and my heart may grow weak. God, you give strength to my heart. You are everything I will ever need.

When I’m afraid, I put my trust in you.I trust in God. I praise his word. I trust in God. I am not afraid. What can mere people do to me?

May your faithful love comfort me as you have promised me.

Dear friends, don’t be surprised by the terrible things happening to you. The trouble you are having has come to test you. So don’t feel as if something strange were happening to you.Instead, be joyful that you are taking part in Christ’s sufferings. Then you will have even more joy when Christ returns in glory.

I was patient while I waited for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry for help.I haven’t kept to myself that what you did for me was right. I have spoken about how faithful you were when you saved me. I haven’t hidden your love and your faithfulness from the whole community.Lord, don’t hold back your mercy from me. May your love and faithfulness always keep me safe.There are more troubles all around me than I can count. My sins have caught up with me, and I can’t see any longer. My sins are more than the hairs of my head. I have lost all hope.Lord, please save me. Lord, come quickly to help me.Let all those who are trying to kill me be put to shame. Let them lose their way. Let all those who want to destroy me be turned back in shame.Some people make fun of me. Let them be shocked when their plans fail.But let all those who seek you be joyful and glad because of what you have done. Let those who count on you to save them always say, “The Lord is great!”But I am poor and needy. May the Lord be concerned about me. You are the God who helps me and saves me. You are my God, so don’t wait any longer.I was sliding down into the pit of death, and he pulled me out. He brought me up out of the mud and dirt. He set my feet on a rock. He gave me a firm place to stand on.He gave me a new song to sing. It is a hymn of praise to our God. Many people will see and have respect for the Lord. They will put their trust in him.

I was very worried. But your comfort brought me joy.

But those who trust in the Lord will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not grow weak.

Is anyone among you in trouble? Then that person should pray. Is anyone among you happy? Then that person should sing songs of praise.

Always be joyful.

Lord, I will give thanks to you with all my heart. I will tell about all the wonderful things you have done.Lord, those who know you will trust in you. You have never deserted those who look to you.Sing the praises of the Lord. He rules from his throne in Zion. Tell among the nations what he has done.The God who pays back murderers remembers. He doesn’t forget the cries of those who are hurting.Lord, see how badly my enemies treat me! Help me! Don’t let me go down to the gates of death!Then I can give praise to you at the gates of the city of Zion. There I will be full of joy because you have saved me.The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug. Their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.The Lord is known to be fair by the things he does. Evil people are trapped by what they have done.Sinful people go down to the place of the dead. So do all the nations that forget God.But God will never forget needy people. The hope of those who are hurting will never die.Lord, rise up. Don’t let people win the battle. Let the nations come to you and be judged.I will be glad and full of joy because of you. Most High God, I will sing the praises of your name.

Don’t be controlled by love for money. Be happy with what you have. God has said, “I will never leave you. I will never desert you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)So we can say boldly, “The Lord helps me. I will not be afraid. What can mere human beings do to me?” (Psalm 118:6,7)

But let us give thanks to God! He gives us the victory because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done.

May the God who gives hope fill you with great joy. May you have perfect peace as you trust in him. May the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.

I can do all this by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.

So don’t worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Those who do right can expect joy. But the hopes of sinners are bound to fail.

You are my place of safety. You are like a shield that keeps me safe. I have put my hope in your word.

My spirit, why are you so sad? Why are you so upset deep down inside me? Put your hope in God. Once again I will have reason to praise him. He is my Savior and my God.

No! In all these things we are more than winners! We owe it all to Christ, who has loved us.

Let us not become tired of doing good. At the right time we will gather a crop if we don’t give up.

It was good for me to suffer. That’s what helped me to understand your orders.

I’m not saying this because I need anything. I have learned to be content no matter what happens to me.I know what it’s like not to have what I need. I also know what it’s like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well fed or hungry. I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough.

Remember those earlier days after you received the light. You remained strong in a great battle that was full of suffering.Sometimes people spoke badly about you in front of others. Sometimes you were treated badly. At other times you stood side by side with people being treated like this.You suffered along with people in prison. When your property was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew that God had given you better and more lasting things.

The Lord is ready to help all those who call out to him. He helps those who really mean it when they call out to him.

So do not be afraid. I am with you. Do not be terrified. I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will hold you safe in my hands. I always do what is right.

We are sad, but we are always full of joy. We are poor, but we make many people rich. We have nothing, but we own everything.

But you rule from your throne as the Holy One. You are the God Israel praises.

I want to know Christ better. Yes, I want to know the power that raised him from the dead. I want to join him in his sufferings. I want to become like him by sharing in his death.

Lord, bless us with great success again, as rain makes streams flow in the Negev Desert.

They aren’t afraid when bad news comes. They stand firm because they trust in the Lord.

We have been made right with God because of our faith. Now we have peace with him because of our Lord Jesus Christ.Once we were God’s enemies. But we have been brought back to him because his Son has died for us. Now that God has brought us back, we are even more secure. We know that we will be saved because Christ lives.And that is not all. We are full of joy in God because of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of him, God has brought us back to himself.Sin entered the world because one man sinned. And death came because of sin. Everyone sinned, so death came to all people.Before the law was given, sin was in the world. This is certainly true. But people are not judged for sin when there is no law.Death ruled from the time of Adam to the time of Moses. Death ruled even over those who did not sin as Adam did. He broke God’s command. But Adam also became a pattern of the Messiah. The Messiah was the one who was going to come.God’s gift can’t be compared with Adam’s sin. Many people died because of the sin of that one man. But it was even more sure that God’s grace would also come through one man. That man is Jesus Christ. God’s gift of grace was more than enough for the whole world.The result of God’s gift is different from the result of Adam’s sin. That one sin brought God’s judgment. But after many sins, God’s gift made people right with him.One man sinned, and death ruled over all people because of his sin. What will happen is even more sure than this. Those who receive the rich supply of God’s grace will rule with Christ. They will rule in his kingdom. They have received God’s gift and have been made right with him. This will happen because of what the one man, Jesus Christ, has done.So one man’s sin brought guilt to all people. In the same way, one right act made people right with God. That one right act gave life to all people.Many people were made sinners because one man did not obey. But one man did obey. That is why many people will be made right with God.Through faith in Jesus we have received God’s grace. In that grace we stand. We are full of joy because we expect to share in God’s glory.

Give praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father who gives tender love. All comfort comes from him.He comforts us in all our troubles. Now we can comfort others when they are in trouble. We ourselves receive comfort from God.

How you made me is amazing and wonderful. I praise you for that. What you have done is wonderful. I know that very well.

Lord, you will give perfect peace to those who commit themselves to be faithful to you. That’s because they trust in you.

Blessed are those who are sad. They will be comforted.

My enemies will turn back when I call out to you for help. Then I will know that God is on my side.

God always gives you all the grace you need. So you will only have to suffer for a little while. Then God himself will build you up again. He will make you strong and steady. And he has chosen you to share in his eternal glory because you belong to Christ.

You always show me the path of life. You will fill me with joy when I am with you. You will make me happy forever at your right hand.

Christ set us free from the curse of the law. He did it by becoming a curse for us. It is written, “Everyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.” (Deuteronomy 21:23)Christ Jesus set us free so that the blessing given to Abraham would come to the Gentiles through Christ. He did it so that we might receive the promise of the Holy Spirit. The promised Spirit comes by believing in Christ.

What we are suffering now is nothing compared with our future glory.

This God is our God for ever and ever. He will be our guide to the very end.

I will always guide you. I will satisfy your needs in a land baked by the sun. I will make you stronger. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water. You will be like a spring whose water never runs dry.

Lord my God, no one can compare with you. You have done many wonderful things. You have planned to do these things for us. There are too many of them for me to talk about.

Treasure is kept in clay jars. In the same way, we have the treasure of the good news in these earthly bodies of ours. That shows that the mighty power of the good news comes from God. It doesn’t come from us.We are pushed hard from all sides. But we are not beaten down. We are bewildered. But that doesn’t make us lose hope.Others make us suffer. But God does not desert us. We are knocked down. But we are not knocked out.

He will call out to me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in times of trouble. I will save him and honor him.

So let us boldly approach God’s throne of grace. Then we will receive mercy. We will find grace to help us when we need it.

God began a good work in you. And I am sure that he will carry it on until it is completed. That will be on the day Christ Jesus returns.

The Lord gives me strength and makes me secure. He has saved me.

Family of Jacob, the Lord created you. People of Israel, he formed you. He says, “Do not be afraid. I will set you free. I will send for you by name. You belong to me.

God’s kingdom is not about eating or drinking. It is about doing what is right and having peace and joy. All this comes through the Holy Spirit.

That’s because everyone who is a child of God has won the battle over the world. Our faith has won the battle for us.

Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who have respect for the Lord. They find great delight when they obey God’s commands.Evil people will see it and be upset. They will grind their teeth and become weaker and weaker. What evil people long to do can’t succeed.Their children will be powerful in the land. Because they are honest, their children will be blessed.

The people of Jerusalem will say, “We take great delight in the Lord. We are joyful because we belong to our God. He has dressed us with salvation as if it were our clothes. He has put robes of godliness on us. We are like a groom who is dressed up for his wedding. We are like a bride who decorates herself with her jewels.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid. You are with me. Your shepherd’s rod and staff comfort me.

Even though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not see him now, you believe in him. You are filled with a glorious joy that can’t be put into words.

But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful

So let us never stop offering to God our praise through Jesus. Let us talk openly about our faith in him. Then our words will be like an offering to God.

What should we say then? Since God is on our side, who can be against us?God did not spare his own Son. He gave him up for us all. Then won’t he also freely give us everything else?

Lord, be good to me as you have promised.

Do everything without complaining or arguing.

Trouble is all around me, but you keep me alive. You reach out your hand to put a stop to the anger of my enemies. With your powerful right hand you save me.

But the Lord has become like a fort to me. My God is my rock. I go to him for safety.

All the days of those who are crushed are filled with pain and suffering. But a cheerful heart enjoys a good time that never ends.

Not even the highest places or the lowest, or anything else in all creation can separate us. Nothing at all can ever separate us from God’s love. That’s because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.

God, you are the one who saves us. We will trust in you. Then we won’t be afraid. Lord, you are the one who gives us strength. You are the one who keeps us safe. Lord, you have saved us.”

God is faithful. He has chosen you to share life with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Turn your worries over to the Lord. He will keep you going. He will never let godly people be shaken.

God gave us his Spirit. And the Spirit doesn’t make us weak and fearful. Instead, the Spirit gives us power and love. He helps us control ourselves.

You turned my loud crying into dancing. You removed my clothes of sadness and dressed me with joy.So my heart will sing your praises. I can’t keep silent. Lord, my God, I will praise you forever.

My dear friends, don’t try to get even. Leave room for God to show his anger. It is written, “I am the God who judges people. I will pay them back,” (Deuteronomy 32:35) says the Lord.

Lord, when you hand down your sentence, let it be in my favor. I have lived without blame. I have trusted in the Lord. I have never doubted him.Their hands are always planning to do evil. Their right hands are full of money that has bought their help.But I live without blame. Save me from harm and treat me with kindness.My feet stand on level ground. In the whole community I will praise the Lord.Lord, test me. Try me out. Look deep down into my heart and mind.

My brothers and sisters, you were chosen to be free. But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to live under the power of sin. Instead, serve one another in love.

“Come to me, all you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest.

I have decided to obey your orders to the very end.

My spirit, why are you so sad? Why are you so upset deep down inside me? Put your hope in God. Once again I will have reason to praise him. He is my Savior and my God.

Give me back the joy that comes from being saved by you. Give me a spirit that obeys you so that I will keep going.

You are tempted in the same way all other human beings are. God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted any more than you can take. But when you are tempted, God will give you a way out. Then you will be able to deal with it.

Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the one who started this journey of faith. And he is the one who completes the journey of faith. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy he was looking forward to. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Sin will no longer control you like a master. That’s because the law does not rule you. God’s grace has set you free.

Blessed are those whose strength comes from you. They have firmly decided to travel to your temple.

My God will meet all your needs. He will meet them in keeping with his wonderful riches. These riches come to you because you belong to Christ Jesus.

Dear children, you belong to God. You have not accepted the teachings of the false prophets. That’s because the one who is in you is powerful. He is more powerful than the one who is in the world.

Lord, you are like a shield that keeps me safe. You bring me honor. You help me win the battle.

God has made a great many promises. They are all “Yes” because of what Christ has done. So through Christ we say “Amen.” We want God to receive glory.

Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good. His faithful love continues forever.

Worry makes the heart heavy. But a kind word cheers it up.

But the Lord looks with favor on those who respect him. He watches over those who put their hope in his faithful love.

I lie in the dust. I’m about to die. Keep me alive as you have promised.

Work hard to feed hungry people. Satisfy the needs of those who are crushed. Then my blessing will light up your darkness. And the night of your suffering will become as bright as the noonday sun.I will always guide you. I will satisfy your needs in a land baked by the sun. I will make you stronger. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water. You will be like a spring whose water never runs dry.

Those who cry as they plant their crops will sing with joy when they gather them in.

Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank him because you believe in Christ Jesus.

But we don’t belong to the people who pull back and are destroyed. We belong to the people who believe and are saved.

And that’s not all. We are full of joy even when we suffer. We know that our suffering gives us the strength to go on.

He gives strength to those who are tired. He gives power to those who are weak.A messenger is calling out, “In the desert prepare the way for the Lord. Make a straight road through it for our God.Even young people become worn out and get tired. Even the best of them trip and fall.But those who trust in the Lord will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not grow weak.

The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid. What can mere human beings do to me?The Lord is with me. He helps me. I win the battle over my enemies.

Turn all your worries over to him. He cares about you.

With all my heart I wait for the Lord to help me. I put my hope in his word.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed their sinful desires to his cross. They don’t want these things anymore.

No matter what happens, live in a way that brings honor to the good news about Christ. Then I will know that you remain strong together in the one Spirit. I will know this if I come and see you or only hear about you. I will know that you work together as one person. I will know that you work to spread the teachings about the good news.

When anyone lives in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone! The new is here!

I was patient while I waited for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry for help.I haven’t kept to myself that what you did for me was right. I have spoken about how faithful you were when you saved me. I haven’t hidden your love and your faithfulness from the whole community.Lord, don’t hold back your mercy from me. May your love and faithfulness always keep me safe.There are more troubles all around me than I can count. My sins have caught up with me, and I can’t see any longer. My sins are more than the hairs of my head. I have lost all hope.Lord, please save me. Lord, come quickly to help me.Let all those who are trying to kill me be put to shame. Let them lose their way. Let all those who want to destroy me be turned back in shame.Some people make fun of me. Let them be shocked when their plans fail.But let all those who seek you be joyful and glad because of what you have done. Let those who count on you to save them always say, “The Lord is great!”But I am poor and needy. May the Lord be concerned about me. You are the God who helps me and saves me. You are my God, so don’t wait any longer.I was sliding down into the pit of death, and he pulled me out. He brought me up out of the mud and dirt. He set my feet on a rock. He gave me a firm place to stand on.

Brothers and sisters, I don’t consider that I have taken hold of it yet. But here is the one thing I do. I forget what is behind me. I push hard toward what is ahead of me.I push myself forward toward the goal to win the prize. God has appointed me to win it. The heavenly prize is Christ Jesus himself.

I take delight in obeying your commands because I love them.

Blessed is the nation about whom all these things are true. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding.In all your ways obey him. Then he will make your paths smooth and straight.

Wait for the Lord. Be strong and don’t lose hope. Wait for the Lord.

Don’t let evil overcome you. Overcome evil by doing good.