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What Does The Bible Say About Hope In Hard Times? – Viral Believer
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What Does The Bible Say About Hope In Hard Times?

Life is filled with trials and difficulties. When we face hard times, it can be easy to lose hope and fall into despair. However, as Christians, we can find strength, comfort, and hope in God’s Word. The Bible provides wisdom, encouragement, and promises of God’s faithfulness that can sustain us during seasons of hardship. In this post, we will explore what the Bible says about finding hope in difficult times.

Introduction

Hard times come in many forms – ill health, grief, financial troubles, broken relationships, persecution, natural disasters, and more. Christians are not immune to experiencing suffering and troubles. However, God’s Word guides and equips believers to have hope and joy despite their circumstances.

The Bible makes it clear that trials will come. John 16:33 (NKJV) says, “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.” However, God promises that He will be with us and strengthen us during hardships. As Psalm 46:1 (NKJV) declares, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

During seasons of hardship, believers can rest in God’s sovereignty, trust in His faithful promises, rely on the inner peace of the Holy Spirit, and look forward to their eternal hope in Christ. Clinging to God as an anchor for the soul allows Christians to have hope and even thrive during tough times.

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Here are some key takeaways for finding hope in hard times according to the Bible:

  • Trust in God’s sovereignty and good plans
  • Remember God’s promises and provision
  • Rely on the Holy Spirit’s inner strength
  • Keep an eternal perspective

In the rest of this post, we will unpack each of these key takeaways in more detail and look at specific Bible verses that provide encouragement, wisdom, and hope when life gets hard.

Trust in God’s Sovereignty and Good Plans

One way believers can have hope in difficulties is by trusting in God’s absolute sovereignty and His good plans. The Bible teaches that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and eternal. He reigns over every aspect of life and human history. Nothing takes Him by surprise or thwarts His purposes.

Romans 8:28 (NKJV) affirms this foundational truth: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” This verse promises that God orchestrates every detail for the good of His people. Though we cannot see the full picture, we can trust that the Lord takes even evil and suffering and uses it to accomplish His wise, loving plans.

In times of hardship, we can be confident that the situation is not out of God’s control. He remains on the throne, lovingly guiding His children through life’s storms. God promises to use hardships to refine our faith, produce Christlike character, and ultimately bring glory to Himself. As we submit to His sovereignty, we find hope and comfort knowing that “God causes all things to work together for good.”

Remember God’s Promises and Provision

Another way the Bible inspires hope is by reminding us of God’s promises to provide and care for His people. Throughout Scripture, we see the Lord proving His faithfulness time and time again. He rescued Israel from Egypt, sustained them in the wilderness, and brought them into the Promised Land. In the New Testament, we find the ultimate demonstration of His love and provision in Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross.

God does not abandon His people in their troubles. Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV) declares God’s comforting promise to Israel: “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” This promise applies to believers today. No matter the hardship, God has promised to walk by our side. We are never alone because He will never leave us.

In a similar way, Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV) provides reassurance of God’s help and presence: “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” This powerful passage reminds us that because God is always with us, we can be content and courageous. We have nothing to fear because the Lord Himself is our helper.

Remembering the Lord’s demonstrated faithfulness and clinging to His promises steward faith and hope in our hearts. He is reliable, and He will generously supply all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

Rely on the Holy Spirit’s Inner Strength

Not only has God promised to always be with His people externally, but He indwells believers through His Holy Spirit. The Bible teaches that when someone puts their faith in Christ, the Spirit comes to take residence in their hearts and empower them to live godly lives.

Having the Spirit’s presence within us is a huge source of hope and strength when facing trials. Ephesians 3:16 (NKJV) is a prayer for believers to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit dwelling within: “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.” As Christians, we are never left to face difficulties on our own because God Himself equips us with supernatural, inner strength by His Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (NKJV) also describes how the Holy Spirit fosters joy and hope within believers: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” By relying on the Spirit’s power and guidance, we can have hope and joy despite our outer circumstances. His presence renews our strength, calms our fears, and equips us to endure hardship.

The Holy Spirit produces spiritual fruit in the lives of believers like love, peace, patience, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These Christlike qualities enable Christians to rise above difficult situations with grace, hope, and perseverance. By walking in step with the Spirit, believers gain victory over despair.

Keep an Eternal Perspective

A final way the Bible gives hope during hardship is by pointing to the coming glory of eternity in Christ. Scripture teaches that though this world is filled with trouble, believers have an everlasting hope yet to come.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NKJV): “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Here Paul explains how keeping an eternal perspective gives strength to persevere. Our present troubles are temporary and light compared to the coming glory.

In the most excruciating trials, Christians can find hope by looking ahead to eternity with Christ. We can endure any hardship knowing it is just for a moment but heaven is forever. Romans 8:18 (NKJV) affirms: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” What an incredible hope that our most intense earthly suffering will seem light compared to the joy of eternity with Jesus.

No matter how difficult earthly life becomes, believers in Christ have a rock-solid hope for a glorious eternal future free from pain, suffering, and death. Keeping our focus on the final victory to come fuels strength to endure in the present.

Conclusion

To summarize, during seasons of hardship believers can find hope by:

  • Trusting God is sovereignly in control with good plans
  • Remembering and claiming God’s promises of provision and presence
  • Relying on inner strength from the Holy Spirit
  • Keeping an eternal perspective focused on Christ

While hard times will come, God’s Word offers truth, comfort, and hope to equip believers to persevere. By clinging to Him, we can weather any storm. My prayer is that this overview of biblical hope will provide encouragement if you are going through trials today. God is with you, He loves you, and His grace is sufficient. He promises hope and an eternal future for all those who put their trust in Christ.

So take heart my friend. Our trials are temporary, but our hope in Christ is forever!

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.