Bible Verses For When You’re Discouraged

And sometimes it’s hard to know where to turn, who to turn to, or what to do when we’re overcome with exhaustion, loneliness, confusion, frustration, helplessness…

But please know that you’ve made a smart, mature choice by looking to the Bible for help.

God cares about you, and He knows what you’re struggling with (Hebrews 2:17-18). He wants you to find His messages of hope, strength, and inspiration that will help you move forward in faith.

So let’s explore specific passages of Scripture that are meant to heal our broken spirits. We’ll find encouragement for:

• When you’re worried about the future
• When you’re in difficult situations and dealing with ongoing struggles
• When you feel anxious or overwhelmed
• When you feel stuck or defeated
• When you feel burnt out or fed up
• When you feel lonely or rejected
• When you question your salvation

Disclaimer: Before we dive in, we want to make it clear that this page is not meant to diagnose or treat depression, anxiety, or other serious conditions. If you’re dealing with overwhelming circumstances or think you might suffer from mental illness, please seek a licensed professional for treatment.

Let’s start with a common cause for discouragement—when what’s ahead of us looks difficult, unclear, or confusing.

Promises for the future

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We don’t know what will happen tomorrow, regardless of how well we try to plan. But whatever the future may hold, God has promised to take care of us and never to leave us.

Having misgivings about the future is common because it makes sense. It’s both unknown and unknowable. And that can make us feel out of control or helpless if we’re in the middle of already-unsure circumstances.

And just to make things more overwhelming, while we’re bombarded with troubling or dramatic news headlines, we’re likely to also see content about “securing our future” or “being prepared” or “beware of the latest scams,” etc. So among all the chaos, there’s also a lot of pressure to get it “right.”

Thankfully, the Bible gives us some wisdom for situations like this.

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (ESV).

This verse comes from a letter the prophet Jeremiah wrote to Jewish exiles in Babylon. He initially had some bad news to deliver: Their exile would be long—70 years to be exact. But both in spite of this and because of this, Jeremiah was also supposed to encourage them to build homes, raise families, and essentially continue with their lives, “that you may be increased there, and not be diminished” (Jeremiah 29:6, NKJV).

Jeremiah also told them to seek “the well-being” of the city they were exiled to, and not to listen to false prophets.

In other words, even while in exile, God had plans for their individual and communal well-being. So Jeremiah prompted them to make the best of a bad situation by creating a supportive community, reflecting His goodness, and trusting that God has everything worked out already.

Then, if His people would keep their eyes on Him, God promised He would restore to them to the land and lives they had before.

“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile” (Jeremiah 29:12-14, ESV).

We sometimes end up in sticky situations where it feels like we’re in some kind of exile, far from what we know and what we want for ourselves.

But God already has all of the plans worked out. While we wait on Him, we can rest in the promise of His plans, even if we don’t know what they are yet. And we can focus on building and nourishing the community around us as a loving expression of thanks to God.

Isaiah 41:10

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand’” (NKJV).

When we feel alone in our exile, God reminds us that He’s still with us and will ultimately take care of everything. Whatever strength we need, He’s willing to give us.

Isaiah 41 is about a coming conflict that had the Israelites worried. Verses 5-7 depict people scrambling to prepare for war. But God assures them that He will strengthen them for the difficulty—and their enemies won’t prevail over them.

They didn’t have to scramble around like everyone else. In fact, God even mocks the opposing nations and their gods, calling them “wind and confusion” (verse 29, NKJV).

When chaos or disruptions strike out of nowhere, sometimes it almost feels like we’re supposed to panic and prepare for the worst. That’s often what we see other people do. Most of the world’s examples promote looking to ourselves to get us out of whatever struggle we’re in, so it’s easy to lose sight of God’s promises in the Bible.

But God wants us to have confidence in Him when we can’t have confidence in anyone or anything else. It’s His desire to help us, strengthen us, and point us in the right direction. He’s chosen us, so He’s not about to let us go.

How He helps each of us will look different. But whatever He decides to do, we can pray for confidence in His ability to handle the situation completely.

John 16:33

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NKJV).

When we have confidence in Christ and His plans, open ourselves up to a new kind of peace.

In John 16, Jesus had just finished telling His disciples what events were about to transpire. But even though He was leaving them, they would have the Holy Spirit to stay in touch with Him and continue to grow in their faith.

Jesus made it clear that life would be hard at times, and they would feel rejection and persecution. Yet despite the difficulties, He gives a kind of peace that’s beyond comprehension (John 14:27) and a joy that can’t be snatched away (John 16:22).

When Jesus said He had overcome the world, He overcame the power of sin, death, and even the devil (Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8).

He didn’t escape hardship. In fact, during Jesus’ time among us, He experienced the worst this world had to offer!

It may seem contradictory to expect a life with difficulty and unthinkable peace. But because Jesus endured without failing His mission, He is able to help us overcome whatever tries to tempt us away from Him. He can empathize with us like no other (Hebrews 4:15).

It’s easy to slip when we’re under pressure. But God is able to get us through our pain victoriously, not as victims. He sent the Holy Spirit to help us and to intercede on our behalf (Romans 8:26).

Other verses to study: Matthew 6:24-34; Revelation 21:4-5

Encouragement for difficult situations and ongoing struggles

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Sometimes it feels like trying situations drag on and on. It can be discouraging that no matter what we do, no matter how much we pray or try to change, nothing seems to happen.

But the Bible reminds us that God is patient (2 Peter 3:8), His timing is perfect (Ecclesiastes 3:11), and He has His eye on everything (Ephesians 4:6), even the things that seem like they aren’t changing.

In these kinds of difficult situations, we can find encouragement in the following verses.

Psalm 34:17-19

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit. One who is righteous has many adversities, but the Lord rescues him from them all” (Psalm 34:17-19, CSB).

Our challenges can sometimes feel like they’ll never end, or that they’ll keep coming back. But God promises to be by our side, ready to comfort us in our discouragement.

Psalm 34 reflects on God’s care for His people—hearing their cries, understanding their despair, and promising to get them through the affliction they’re facing.

It starts with what seems to be an answer to prayer (verses 1-7) and then reflects on God’s care for those dealing with “troubles” and “afflictions” and how He is able to save those who trust in Him (verses 8-22).¹

This psalm is attributed to when David pretended to be insane to escape Abimelech (also called Achish in 1 Samuel 21:10-15). What David didn’t realize at that moment was that he didn’t have to pretend to be something he wasn’t in order to escape trouble. Instead, God invites us to trust Him for deliverance when the time is right (1 Corinthians 10:13).

But what happens if time takes longer than we would like? What if the affliction doesn’t go away any time soon? What if we’re still hurting?

Philippians 4:13

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NKJV).

Whether things are going well or going poorly, we can rely on God to strengthen us for whatever we encounter. Even if it doesn’t feel like it, He’s with us, giving us what we need.

Paul learned to be content in both difficult and easygoing situations because he learned to navigate them with God instead of on his own.

He learned how to recognize God’s provision whether he was in abundance or need, strength or weakness, certainty or uncertainty. And he assured those he visited that God would do the same for them.

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phillipians 4:19).

The strength of Jesus is what gets us where we need to be—not our own strength. And He sticks with us no matter what’s happening in our lives.

Times of prolonged need or stagnation can tempt us to grow bitter and anxious. On the other hand, ease and prosperity can tempt us to grow indifferent, or even prideful. Either way, there’s a risk of relying on ourselves or others instead of God to fulfill our needs. And doing so can just increase our stress or disappointment when they are unable or unwilling to come through for us.

We can learn from Paul that no matter what is happening around us, or even when we’re tired of nothing happening at all, we can be content knowing that God sees the big picture in ways we can’t, and He gives us strength to endure the season we’re in.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, CSB).

Strength in weakness? Taking pleasure in difficulties? It all sounds backwards. But when God is the center of our lives, He becomes our compass and points us in the right direction.

Even so, however, none of us relish the idea of having a constant weakness. But God can use our weaknesses for His strength to come through in ways we don’t always expect.

In his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul mentioned that he was dealing with “a thorn in the flesh” (v. 7, CSB). He begged God to take it away, but instead of removing it, God told Paul His strength would make up for Paul’s weakness.

We’re never told what the “thorn” was, exactly. It may have involved things that were highly personal for Paul. But in a way, that makes it easier to apply this passage to any physical, mental, or spiritual struggle.

When we’re in the trenches of a battle that seems endless, we can ask God to help us focus on Him all the more, since that’s where our strength comes from. And then, like Paul, we can smile at difficulties because we’ll know that God has other plans.

There’s a day coming when pain, death, and grief will be done away with forever (Revelation 21:4). Until then, God promises that His strength will make up for any weaknesses we have.

Other verses to study: Psalm 30:4-5; Psalm 126:5; Matthew 5:4; 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 16-18

When you’re anxious or overwhelmed

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Life, and everything it entails, can just be a lot.

Here’s some Scriptural wisdom and inspiration that can speak to our hearts even when our burdens feel too big to carry.

Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, NKJV).

These words came to Joshua from God Himself. Moses had just passed away, and Joshua was now faced with the enormous task of leading an entire nation—one that had already proved to be tough to govern—into the Promised Land. We can bet Joshua was nervous because God tells him to be brave three times (Joshua 1:1-9)!

Facing a new chapter in our lives can be intense, and we don’t always feel ready for it. Sometimes we feel completely unprepared for whatever new responsibility gets dropped on us.

Have you ever been promoted but second-guessed yourself? Or wrestled with doubts and fears when becoming a parent? Have you ever questioned God’s wisdom when you sensed Him leading you into something new? You’re in good company if you have.

God promised Joshua that it would be ok because He would be the one who was really in charge. God had led Joshua to this point, so He would see to it that he succeeded.

We can remember God’s words to Joshua when we are faced with challenges we don’t expect or don’t feel ready for.

Psalm 27:14

“Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14, NKJV)

Psalm 27 is a surprisingly cheerful psalm considering the circumstances. While the Bible doesn’t say when David wrote it, its content suggests he was hunted down by his enemies, likely couldn’t access a place of worship, was separated from his parents, and endured cruel words.² It’s also clear he dealt with grief and physical distress.

David admits he would have been overwhelmed had he not trusted that he would see God’s goodness. With that in mind, he finishes the psalm by telling us to take courage and wait on God (verses 13-14).

But the “waiting” David mentions here isn’t passive. Psalm 27 shows that David sought the Lord through prayer and worship. He pleaded for wisdom and guidance.

By writing this psalm, David also reminded himself of God’s character, His faithfulness, and His power to save.

Like David, we can actively wait on God by praying to Him and pleading for His strength to carry us through. When we pray, we can receive the peace that comes with the promise of God’s faithfulness to “strengthen our hearts.”

John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27, NKJV).

Just before His crucifixion, Jesus told His disciples He would give them the Holy Spirit to teach them what they would need to know and remind them of everything He’d said.

Even though He would be physically separated from His disciples, Christ said that He was leaving the gift of peace. It would be unlike anything the world could ever offer. In fact, Paul calls this the “peace that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7, NKJV). It’s a kind of peacefulness that doesn’t make sense because it’s often experienced amid danger and difficulty. That’s because it comes from God, regardless of our circumstances.

The disciples would experience the loss of Jesus’s physical presence. They would endure being rejected and punished for loving Jesus and sharing their faith in Him. They would encounter deceivers and false teachings designed to confuse people and turn them away from God. And they would experience the strong emotions that come with all of this.

Jesus wanted them to know they could have strength, commitment, and even joy and rest amid these difficulties. The peace He gave them through His Holy Spirit would strengthen them and reassure them of His presence.

And He gives this same gift to all of us who accept it.

Other verses to study: Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalm 34:4; Psalm 56:3-4; 1 Peter 5:6-10

When you feel stuck or defeated

Even with Jesus, life doesn’t let up. Sometimes all the struggles and disappointments make it feel like nothing is ever going to get resolved.

In times like these, it’s helpful to remember that God knows what’s going on. He sees the big picture. So whatever is happening to us, we can know that God is more powerful, and nothing can stop Him from carrying out His loving plans for us.

Easier said than done when you’re in the middle of a crisis, but these next verses can help.

Philippians 1:6

“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6, ESV).

The Bible calls Jesus the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2, NKJV). He’s like a writer who knows our faith journey and intends to finish the story. There’s no way He’d give up on any of us.

The apostle Paul remembers when the Philippian Christians first accepted the Gospel and said that he had confidence that they’d finish as well as they started. We could say this confidence is from the fact that God works in His people so their desires and actions line up with His (Philippians 2:12-13).

It may sometimes feel like we’re always falling short or missing the mark. Or it may feel like we’re making zero progress. But we can have confidence in God’s promise to finish what He started.

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV).

In light of the “ministry of reconciliation,” Paul explains that Jesus gives us a new identity—and a new start—when we are reconciled with Him.

Reconciliation means restoring a relationship after a falling out.³ Our falling out happened back in Eden. So being reconciled means that our faults and imperfections don’t have to stand in between us and God (verse 19). Instead, we’re set free from our old life that would lead to nowhere, and we now have a life that involves God, so we know that no matter what, we will be saved, and the life we live now includes the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is all because Jesus Christ “became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (verses 20-21).

This means Jesus can turn us around. He can take who we are and clean us up, refine us, and craft a character that is in harmony with His character and law of love.

When we realize Christ’s salvation makes us a new and improved person, it can be easier to swap out our old habits and worries in favor of a new direction in life. Our past difficulties don’t have to define us!

1 John 2:1

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1, ESV).

When we make mistakes or bad decisions, He doesn’t leave us to drown in despair. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (NKJV). If we’re honest with God and go to Him, He not only forgives us, but He also makes it possible to experience a genuine, lasting change of heart.

Jesus stands between us and the devil’s accusations, like how He stepped in between the woman caught in adultery and the religious leaders who condemned her. And like He encouraged her,

He assures us of His forgiveness and encourages us to pick up where we left off (John 8:1-11).

Other verses to study: Psalm 37:23-24; Proverbs 24:16; Micah 7:8-9; John 8:36; Romans 8:1-4; Galatians 5:1; Philippians 3:13-14

When we’re burnt out or fed up

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Note: If you’re experiencing physical and mental symptoms of burnout that are interfering with your ability to function at work and home, we encourage you to reach out to someone you trust, or to seek a licensed professional if your physical and mental health are affected.

Perseverance and endurance are qualities God desires us to develop. But “endurance” doesn’t mean continually wrecking our health for the sake of a goal.

There are times when God leads us to push our limits, and He gives us the strength to do so.

But there are also times when our bodies and minds can only take so much. And God is there for us, even when we feel like we can’t go any further.

Burnout and exhaustion can have external and internal causes and they can wreak havoc on the mind and body. What’s more, sometimes mental fatigue is harder to recognize than physical fatigue, and we might continue to push ourselves to dangerous limits because the risks of doing so aren’t as apparent.

The Bible is one resource we can turn to when we run out of steam and need encouragement to continue on.

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30, NKJV).

This is an invitation to find spiritual rest through a relationship with Jesus. Jesus told His listeners no one can personally know the Father except Himself and those to whom He reveals Himself (verse 27; John 14:6-9).

That’s why many things were hidden from those who considered themselves to be more righteous than others.

He then invites His listeners to approach Him and find satisfaction working alongside Him.

For the people of Jesus’s day, religion “had degenerated into a meaningless round of ‘labour’ in an attempt to find salvation by works.”⁴

Laboring in vain still happens today. The world bombards us with messages about how to live and all that we need to do to achieve its impossibly high standards. As a result, we exhaust ourselves and sometimes make decisions we later regret.

A “yoke” was a type of harness that linked two oxen together to carry heavy loads⁵ and it represents a relationship of training, or discipleship. When we become Christ’s followers, we learn how to live and act like Him. Our characters change to be a unique reflection of His as we get to know Him through His Word, serving others, and living out our faith.

Rather than dumping a load on us and leaving us alone with it, Jesus not only helps us carry it, but He also carries the most weight.

Matthew 11 is about the revelation of who God is through Christ. Jesus reaffirms His Messianic identity as a healer. He commends John the Baptist, confirming his role as a messenger sent to prepare God’s people for the revelation of the Messiah. He then condemns some cities for their rejection despite receiving revelations, and thanks God the Father that those who have accepted the revelations are not the proud religious leaders, but to those with a simple, childlike faith.

If you’ve been feeling worn out and bogged down, sometimes refocusing can help. Overthinking is so tempting, and if often leaves us feeling worse. But shifting toward a simple faith, focusing on stepping forward rather than analyzing where we’ve been, can sometimes make all the difference in the world.

Galatians 6:9

“Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9, CSB).

When we’re worn out, often the last thing we want to hear is, “Don’t give up!” or “Just keep at it!” And while it looks like that’s exactly what this verse is saying (because it is), it’s also saying that there’s an optimal time for us to “reap” what we’ve “sown.” God will make things right, and we’ve already read plenty about how He promises to give us the strength we need.

In the last chapter of Galatians, Paul tells the believers to share each other’s burdens and to examine their own works. They were supposed to encourage one another to do what’s right, support one another, and look for opportunities to serve and uplift others (verses 1-10).

“Doing good” can mean many things, ranging from going overseas as a missionary to simply being kind and courteous to the grumpy clerk at the convenience store.

And if we find ourselves getting tired of following God’s principles, then it’s a good time to step back, spend time with God, and find out why.

But even when we’re in the middle of an exhausting situation, we can remember that if God is asking us not to give up, that also means He’ll give us the resolve we need to keep going.

Isaiah 40:31

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31, NKJV).

Faith in Christ and leaning into His will can unlock new levels in ourselves that we didn’t know were there. And they wouldn’t be there if not for Him.

Isaiah 40 gives a series of questions and declarations. Toward the end, the writer says that God never tires out and He strengthens the weak and powerless. Those who wait on God, or who put their trust in Him, will find strength to move forward with whatever they’re facing.

Faith is the key that unlocks everything God has to offer.

None of these verses are meant to encourage us to exhaust ourselves. Rather, they’re meant to remind us that God can provide the strength and endurance we need for whatever He’s called us to do.

Other verses to study: Psalm 130:5-6

When we feel lonely or rejected

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Loneliness and rejection are an extra bitter flavor of sadness, especially if we’ve put ourselves on the line and made ourselves vulnerable. And it can make it hard to ever want to do that again.

Again, we can remember that Jesus Himself felt lonely and rejected at times during His human life, to the point where He asked God the Father, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46, ESV).

These feelings are nothing to take lightly, and partnering with Jesus can lead to victory over them.

Romans 8:38-39

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39, ESV).

Paul is saying here that “no power in heaven or earth, in time or in eternity, can separate us from the divine love… nothing can pluck us out of Christ’s arms against our will.”⁶

Romans 8 opens with the assurance that those who belong to Jesus are not under condemnation. They’re free to live a new life, knowing that they belong to Him, not to the world. They’re free to listen to the Holy Spirit instead of all the other noise of life that pulls in so many different directions. And they can go through challenges because God stands with them as their mediator and He redeems their experiences—including the bad parts—so they reflect Jesus more and more.

We live in a world where human love is as consistent as the weather. But no one is too flawed for God’s transformative love.

His love transcends any of the conditions that often affect human love. It can’t be erased or cut off. Nothing in existence could cause Him to stop loving any one of us, and nothing can wear out His affection.

Hebrews 13:5-6

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6, ESV, emphasis added).

The more we get to know God, the more we see the rest of our corrupted world for what it really is. But we also become more attuned to the good things that often get overshadowed. So the promise that God is always with us and actively being our “helper” can lead us to a level of contentedness nothing else can provide.

Sacrifice and service are two cornerstones of discipleship. In the surrounding verses of Hebrews 13, Paul lists different ways to spread His love, like being hospitable, empathetic, and embracing others as part of the same family.

Contentedness follows this perspective shift, and God, our helper, will guide us into it. These verses encourage us not to be discouraged by what we don’t have, or to give into fears that come from other people. Instead, because God refuses to abandon us, we can navigate this life with peace and courage.

Because of the nature of humanity, people will let us down. So it’s easy to go about our lives resenting others for what they have or what they’ve done. God can set us free from this and bring us into healthy relationships—with Him and with others.

Ephesians 1:3-4

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will” (Ephesians 1:3-5, ESV, emphasis added).

Imagine being wanted even before you existed.

Every single one of us—no exceptions—is a fully intentional creation of God (Psalm 139:16).

Paul greets the Ephesian Christians by declaring that God chose them long before the world was created and His plans for them involved being part of His family. He then goes on with other spiritual blessings Christians have been given: acceptance, redemption, forgiveness, a destiny, security, an inheritance, etc. (verses 5-13).

When we declare Jesus as Lord, we are also identifying as children of God. One strong source of encouragement is found in our identity in Christ.

Other verses to study: Psalm 27:10; Psalm 68:5-6; Psalm 139:1-5; Isaiah 49:15-16; Isaiah 54:4-6

When we have spiritual discouragement about salvation

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It can be one of the most despair-filled experiences to doubt our salvation. It can feel suffocating, often accompanied by self-loathing and shame. Sometimes there’s a gnawing fear that you’re not going to “make it,” and it can fester in the back of your mind.

But God wants us to live in the peace of assurance and to be free from this mental burden, and our freedom lies in the sacrifice of Jesus. All we have to do is accept the gift.

The following verses are a great reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

John 3:16-17

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17, NKJV).

A respected Pharisee named Nicodemus came to Jesus at night to talk with Him. Like so many others, he had waited for the Messiah to come and bring forth God’s kingdom.

Jesus went straight to the heart of the matter: the kingdom of God required an experience called being “born again.”

Being born again is the ultimate new start. God works in our hearts so that we desire to do His will and live accordingly, different from our former lives (Philippians 2:12-13). It’s like the process of metamorphosis when a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly.

Being born again means trusting our salvation with a God who was willing to give everything up to give us eternal life. Because God loves this world despite its horrors and brokenness. He loves us.

Anyone who craves this type of love doesn’t have to worry about being accepted. God eagerly embraces all who come to Him (John 6:37; Hebrews 7:25)!

It wouldn’t have made sense for Jesus to pay such a high price for our salvation if He was going to make it difficult for us to receive. It’s His highest desire to save us.

Romans 5:9-10

“How much more then, since we have now been justified by His blood, will we be saved through Him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life” (Romans 5:9-10, CSB).

Romans 5 tells us what the grace of God has accomplished for us.

In the previous verses, Paul reminds his readers that they have access to God’s grace because they’ve been saved by faith. He also says they can experience joy and hope even when they suffer—a kind of hope that doesn’t disappoint because of God’s love (verses 1-5).

Paul explains how the ultimate expression of God’s love was demonstrated when Christ willingly and painfully died even for those who vehemently opposed Him (verses 6-8).

His sacrifice secured our reconnection with God, and now His work as our Mediator keeps that connection alive.

Nothing you do can make God love you more or less. He’s already poured it out on us by giving His life for us. And if His love is strong enough to save us, then it’s definitely strong enough to keep us saved!

Other verses to study: Psalm 34:22; John 10:27-29; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 3:19-21; 4:17-18; Jude 24-25

Ephesians 2:8-10

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10, ESV).

The good works that we’re supposed to do are meant to be the outflow of God’s grace working in our hearts. They are an expression of what we believe and our love for the One in whom we believe—Jesus.

Ellen G. White, co-founder of the Adventist Church, reflects on this:

“If our salvation depended on our own efforts, we could not be saved; but it depends on the One who is behind all the promises. Our grasp on Him may seem feeble, but His love is that of an elder brother; so long as we maintain our union with Him, no one can pluck us out of His hand.”⁷

Thank God that we don’t have to achieve our own salvation. We would fail every time. Jesus took that burden upon Himself and bought our salvation at the price of His life, and our lives can be an expression of gratitude.

Tips for when we’re feeling down

Along with studying God’s promises in His Word, we can also apply them.

You may have heard phrases tossed around like, “Give God your burdens” or “Cling to Jesus!”

Even the Bible says to “Cast your burden on the Lord” (Psalm 55:22, NKJV).

But what does that really mean? How do we do this when we’re dealing with intangible troubles?

Let’s look at some simple things we can try to get us started.

Focus on God first

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33, NKJV).

What we focus on can determine the quality of our lives (Proverbs 11:27). This verse in Matthew doesn’t say focus on God only and ignore everything and everyone else. It says focus on God first. Everything else can then fall into place.

When we place our focus on God first and foremost, He will supply all of the strength, wisdom, and resources we need to balance taking care of others, ourselves, and our responsibilities.

Pray

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“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” (Philippians 4:6-7, CSB).

Prayer allows us to process our thoughts and feelings while we’re in the presence of God with intention. We’re free to hold nothing back. God isn’t hindered by the human limits we’re so reflexively familiar with—so He will never pull away to recharge, He’ll never need a break, and He’ll never feel like our stuff is “too much.”

Not only does He know what’s going on inside us, He knows why. He sees all, so He sees what’s affecting us—including everything we don’t see.

Praying can also help us recognize and challenge thought patterns that feed our discouragement. That’s a big part of what “taking our thoughts captive” means (2 Corinthians 10:5).

And we can pray any way we want to. Locked away in a private, silent area, out loud while we’re driving, in our heads while amid chaos, journaling, singing, dancing, whispering, right when we wake up, over lunch, or while we’re having our morning beverage.

Engaging in prayer doesn’t always mean that our feelings or circumstances will immediately change. It’s sometimes a long battle before we get to the breakthrough. But we can battle knowing that God has already won the war, He will never leave our side, and He’ll see to it that we get where we need to go.

Prayer is where we can find our peace.

Worship

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28, ESV).

After Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness to fortify His faith. While there, the devil tempted Jesus in all sorts of ways, and every time, Jesus responded to the devil’s lies with the truth of Scripture (Matthews 4:1-11).

When you’re feeling discouraged and your mind is flooded with everything that’s going wrong, you can turn to worship like Jesus did. He said to Satan, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve” (Matthew 4:10, ESV). After that, Satan left Him.

When you’re discouraged, you can worship God in so many different ways. It’s all about intent—acknowledging His power, His benevolence, His wisdom, etc. We can worship Him by reading Psalms (Psalm 99 is great), singing, attending a church service, doing an art project, writing a poem, marveling at nature…whether we can hike a trail or just admire two potted plants on a tiny porch. Worship happens when we actually do stop and smell the roses and appreciate the little things God sustains even amid our corrupted world (Romans 1:20, Psalm 19:1; 95:1-2; 100:1-2).

It can indeed be encouraging to praise God for who He is!

Cultivate gratitude as we look for the good

Photo by Dmitry Zvolskiy

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NKJV).

Giving thanks is more than counting our blessings or thinking positive. And it does not require dismissing the negative.

Being grateful means you’re actively looking for glimmers of hope in seemingly hopeless situations. You’re choosing to thank God for the good you can see, and asking Him to reveal the good you can’t see.

This can be so hard when all we see around us is anger, destruction, conflict, tragedy, etc. The devil is an expert at displaying humanity’s worst on center stage. But the renowned and adored

Fred Rogers of yesteryear’s PBS kids programming reminds us of what we can look for and what we can do, in a quote that now peppers inspiration boards everywhere.

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things on the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ … To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words and I’m always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers—so many caring people in this world.”⁸

(And even if we can’t always see the helpers in the moment, we can know that God is constantly sending people where they’re needed.)

It’s important to note that the verse above says to give thanks in everything, not for everything. We’re not being asked to thank God for all the awful things that happen to us and to others. But

Paul was telling the Thessalonian Christians, who had been through a lot, the importance of gratitude when we’re reflecting Christ to the world. He was affirming how they kept moving forward despite significant “affliction” (1 Thessalonians 3:1-7).

The Bible says God uses everything for our good so that it brings us closer to Christ (Romans 8:28-29). So we’re not ignoring our pain, but we’re essentially telling it that we trust God, and that we won’t let it ruin our lives.

Reach out to someone you trust

Sometimes we desperately need to hear someone else say we’re going to be okay. Discouragement can grow like mold if we’re isolated. Talking with people we trust can help us gain fresh perspectives.

A trusted person can be a family member, friend, pastor, mentor, doctor, or counselor. And while it may feel awkward asking for help, doing so is a powerful way to grow and heal. It takes courage.

We can remember that Jesus empathizes with us and He knows from personal experience how to navigate the thick fog of discouragement. But it is indeed possible to have joy, strength, and peace despite everything else. And we can always turn to the word of God when we need to be reminded of His promises.

For a next step,

1. NKJV Andrews Study Bible, comment on Psalm 34, p. 696 [↵]
2. Spurgeon, Charles. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/Psa/Psa_027.cfm?a=505001 [↵]
3. Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, “Reconcile.” [↵]
4. Nichol, F.D., “Matthew.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, https://archive.org/details/SdaBibleCommentary1980/SdaBc-5%20%2840%29%20Matthew/page/n138/mode/1up [↵]
5. NKJV Andrews Study Bible, comments on Matthew 11:29. [↵]
6. Nichol, “Romans.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, https://archive.org/details/SdaBibleCommentary1980/SdaBc-6%20%2845%29%20Romans/page/n127/mode/1up [↵]
7. White, Ellen G. The Acts of the Apostles, p. 553 [↵]
8. “Fred Rogers Interview, Part 7 of 9,” Foundation Interviews, 6:51 [↵]

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