Bible Verses About Strength and Courage: 20 for Hard Times
20 strength verses grouped by situation, with the exact text, who they were spoken to and how to read them today — plus a 7-day plan to memorize one.
October 4, 2026 12 min read
18
The best-known Bible verses about strength and courage are Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 40:29-31, Psalm 46:1 and 2 Corinthians 12:9. They do not promise a life without pain: they say God is present in fear, exhaustion, grief, illness and hard decisions. Below are 20 verses grouped by situation, each with the context of the people who first heard it.
Out of context, a verse becomes a slogan. In context, it shows real people who received a word from God in the middle of a crisis. So each passage below comes with the exact text from the World English Bible, who it was spoken to, and how to read it today.
Bible verses about strength and courage when fear takes over
Joshua 1:9
“Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, WEB)
Moses had died, and Joshua had to lead the people across the Jordan. The command appears three times in the chapter (Joshua 1:6, 7 and 9), and the reason is not Joshua’s ability but God’s presence. Today it invites you to take the next step without waiting for fear to vanish.
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them, for the LORD your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6, WEB)
Moses speaks to the people shortly before they enter the promised land, which he himself would not enter; “them” are the nations Israel would face. The last sentence crosses the centuries and is taken up again for Christians in Hebrews 13:5.
Isaiah 41:10
“Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10, WEB)
God speaks to Israel, called “my servant” (Isaiah 41:8), in a section that comforts a discouraged people. Notice the verbs: strengthen, help, uphold. The strength comes from outside, which is why this verse serves someone who can no longer find it within.
Psalm 27:1
“The LORD is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1, WEB)
The psalm’s heading attributes it to David, and the text speaks of enemies and war. The questions do not deny the danger; they place the danger next to God. Repeat it before a hard conversation or on a sleepless night.
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7, WEB)
Paul writes from prison (2 Timothy 1:8) to Timothy, a young leader who needed to keep going without being ashamed of the gospel. The verse does not say Christians never feel fear; it says fear is not the spirit God gave. If fear has turned into panic attacks or constant anxiety, also see a psychologist or doctor; read more in overcoming anxiety with faith.
Bible verses about strength when you are exhausted
Isaiah 40:29-31
“He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.” (Isaiah 40:29, WEB)
“…but those who wait for the LORD will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31, WEB)
Isaiah 40 opens with “Comfort” and reminds the reader that the Creator does not grow weary. Verse 30 admits that even young people fall. The promise is not endless energy, but renewed strength for those who wait on the Lord.
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, WEB)
Jesus was speaking to ordinary people, also weighed down by religious burdens. He goes on to offer an “easy” yoke (Matthew 11:29-30): not the absence of work, but carrying life together with him. Read it when the weariness is in your soul.
Psalm 18:2
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer… my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.” (Psalm 18:2, WEB)
The heading links this psalm to the day David was delivered from Saul (the song also appears in 2 Samuel 22). David piles up images of protection because one was not enough. When you run out of words to pray, read it slowly and lean on each image.
Bible verse for strength in hard times of illness
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1, WEB)
The heading attributes the psalm to the sons of Korah, and the text speaks of the earth shaking and mountains falling into the sea. It is faith spoken aloud while the ground moves: it fits the hospital waiting room and anyone caring for a sick loved one.
2 Corinthians 12:9
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, WEB)
Paul had a “thorn in the flesh”, and no one knows for sure what it was; he prayed three times for it to be removed (2 Corinthians 12:7-8). The answer was not removal but grace enough to live with it, which comforts anyone who prays for healing and is still waiting.
Psalm 73:26
“My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26, WEB)
The heading attributes the psalm to Asaph, who confesses he almost lost his faith envying others. The verse admits that the body fails. Faith and treatment go together: follow your doctor and the prescribed medication, and use this verse to pray during treatment, not instead of it.
Bible verses for comfort and strength in grief
Psalm 34:18
“The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.” (Psalm 34:18, WEB)
The heading links this psalm to David at a time when he was on the run. It does not say a broken heart will be fixed at once; it says God is near. In grief, sometimes that is all you can hold on to.
1 Thessalonians 4:13
“But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13, WEB)
Paul writes to a church that had lost brothers and sisters. He does not forbid sorrow; he distinguishes grief with hope, grounded in the resurrection of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:14), from grief without hope. Jesus himself wept at Lazarus’ tomb (John 11:35). If grief keeps you from functioning for a long time, talk with your pastor, people you trust and a counselor.
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, WEB)
Jesus said this to the disciples on the last night before his arrest. He does not hide the trouble; he promises peace in the middle of it. It is an honest verse for anyone tired of phrases that pretend everything is fine.
Bible verses about strength to start over
Nehemiah 8:10
“…Don’t be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10, WEB)
Back from exile, with Jerusalem’s wall rebuilt, the people wept as they heard the Law. Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites told them to celebrate and share food with those who had none (Nehemiah 8:9-10). Starting over includes mourning what was lost and accepting the joy God offers today.
Lamentations 3:22-23
“It is because of the LORD’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his mercies don’t fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23, WEB)
Lamentations mourns the destruction of Jerusalem, and tradition attributes the book to Jeremiah. The verse appears in the middle of the lament, not after it: each morning brings new mercy, even after a bad yesterday.
Isaiah 43:18-19
“Don’t remember the former things, and don’t consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. It springs out now. Don’t you know it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19, WEB)
God speaks to Israel in exile and recalls that he had already made “a way in the sea” (Isaiah 43:16); the “new thing” is the return home. For anyone starting over after a loss, a layoff or a serious mistake, the text invites you not to treat the past as the final word.
Bible verses for wisdom in hard decisions
Proverbs 3:5
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5, WEB)
It is a father’s advice to his son (Proverbs 3:1), in a book whose opening links it to Solomon. The next verse speaks of straight paths for those who acknowledge God in all their ways. It does not ask you to switch off your mind, only not to make it your only support.
James 1:5
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5, WEB)
James writes to scattered Christians facing trials (James 1:1-3). When you don’t know what to do, asking for wisdom is the right prayer, and God does not scold the one who asks.
Does Philippians 4:13 mean I can do anything?
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13, WEB)
This may be the most quoted strength verse and the most misread. Paul was in prison (Philippians 1:13) and was thanking the church in Philippi for a gift (Philippians 4:10). The verses just before explain the “all things”:
“…I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound…” (Philippians 4:11-12, WEB)
The “all things” means living hungry or well fed without losing faith. It is not a guarantee of winning a game or passing an exam. Read this way, it becomes stronger: Christ sustains you even when the result doesn’t come.
How to choose a strength verse and memorize it this week
Pick just one verse, the one for the situation you are living now, and stay with it for seven days.
Day 1, choose: reread the section for your season (fear, exhaustion, illness, grief, starting over or a decision) and pick the verse that spoke to you most. Read the whole chapter in the online Bible to see the context.
Days 2 and 3, write it: copy the verse by hand on paper or in your phone’s notes, with the reference. Read it aloud in the morning, at lunch and before bed.
Days 4 and 5, break it up: memorize it in chunks. “Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you” first; then the next phrase. Try to say it without looking, then check.
Days 6 and 7, pray and share: turn the verse into a prayer in your own words and send it to someone who needs it too.
For more options by topic, the Bible verses by topic page gathers other passages, and the verse of the day brings a new one every morning. Today’s devotional can also be read in the free Present with Jesus app, if you like to start the day with Scripture.
A prayer for strength and courage
Lord, You know my fear and my weariness better than I do. Thank You that Your presence does not depend on my strength. Strengthen me today, uphold me with Your hand and give me courage for the next step. When I can’t go on, let Your grace be enough for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous Bible verse about strength?
Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10 and Philippians 4:13 are among the most remembered, but there is no official ranking. The best verse for you is the one that speaks to what you are going through.
Where does the Bible say “be strong and courageous”?
The phrase appears in Joshua 1:6, 7 and 9 and in Deuteronomy 31:6, 7 and 23, always tied to entering the promised land. In each case the reason given is that God goes with his people. Christians read it today as encouragement grounded in God’s presence, not in their own strength.
What verse should I read when I am afraid?
Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 27:1 and 2 Timothy 1:7 speak directly to fear. All three remind you that God is present and that strength comes from him. If fear is constant or comes with panic attacks, also seek professional help.
What strength verse can I send to someone who is sick?
Psalm 46:1 and 2 Corinthians 12:9 are good choices because they don’t promise instant healing and speak of strength in weakness. Send the verse with a line of your own saying you are praying for them. Avoid phrases that sound like you are judging their faith.
Is Philippians 4:13 about success?
Not exactly. In context (Philippians 4:11-12), Paul is talking about contentment: living with little or with much without losing faith. Christ’s strength is for facing any situation, not a guarantee of success.
Are strength verses guaranteed promises?
Many were spoken to specific people, like Joshua or Israel in exile, but they show who God is. Read in context, they nourish trust without becoming a formula, and God remains free to answer in his own way.
