Can I Find Words of Comfort in the Bible?
The Bible’s answer
Yes. (Romans 15:4) Consider some examples of Bible passages that have comforted many who are dealing with difficult situations and troubling emotions.
In this article
Adversity
Psalm 23:4: “Though I walk in the valley of deep shadow, I fear no harm, for you are with me.”
Meaning: When you pray to God and rely on his Word, the Bible, for guidance, you can face adversity with courage.
Philippians 4:13: “For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power.”
Meaning: God can give you the strength to cope with any problem.
Death of a loved one
Ecclesiastes 9:10: “There is no work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the Grave.”
Meaning: Those who have died are not suffering, nor can they harm us. They are unconscious.
Acts 24:15: “There is going to be a resurrection.”
Meaning: God can bring our dead loved ones back to life.
Excessive guilt
Psalm 86:5: “For you, O Jehovah,a are good and ready to forgive; you abound in loyal love for all those who call on you.”
Meaning: God forgives those who are truly sorry for their past mistakes and are determined not to repeat them.
Psalm 103:12: “As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset, so far off from us he has put our transgressions.”
Meaning: When God forgives, he puts our sins as far away as we can imagine. He does not bring them up over and over again to accuse or punish us.
Sadness
Psalm 31:7: “You have seen my affliction; you are aware of my deep distress.”
Meaning: God is fully aware of everything you suffer. He understands your deepest feelings—even when others do not.
Psalm 34:18: “Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Meaning: God promises to support you when you feel sad. He can give you the strength to cope with your pain.
Sickness
Psalm 41:3: “Jehovah will sustain him on his sickbed.”
Meaning: God can help you deal with a serious illness by giving you inner peace, along with strength, endurance, and wisdom to make wise decisions.
Isaiah 33:24: “No resident will say: ‘I am sick.’”
Meaning: God promises a time when all humans will enjoy good health.
Stress and anxiety
Psalm 94:19: “When anxieties overwhelmed me, you comforted and soothed me.”
Meaning: If we turn to God when we are feeling stressed, he can help us to remain calm.
1 Peter 5:7: “Throw all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.”
Meaning: God is not indifferent to our suffering. He invites us to pray to him about our concerns.
Warfare
Psalm 46:9: “He is bringing an end to wars throughout the earth.”
Meaning: God’s Kingdom will soon eliminate all war.
Psalm 37:11, 29: “The meek will possess the earth, and they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. . . . The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it.”
Meaning: Good people will enjoy peace on earth forever.
Worry about the future
Jeremiah 29:11: “‘I well know the thoughts that I am thinking toward you,’ declares Jehovah, ‘thoughts of peace, and not of calamity, to give you a future and a hope.’”
Meaning: God assures his people that they can look forward to a bright future.
Revelation 21:4: “He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
Meaning: God promises to eliminate all the bad things you see and experience today.
a Jehovah is the personal name of God. (Psalm 83:18) See the article “Who Is Jehovah?”