How to Encourage Yourself in the Lord: 27 Great Verses

Are you feeling down and discouraged? Do you feel like you’re running out of strength? The peace of God is available for you, even when you feel like you have no hope! Here are 27 of the best Bible verses and quotes to encourage yourself in the Lord right now.

encourage yourself in the lord quotes

We’ve all faced seasons and situations in our lives where it feels like we’re trapped and there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. And if you haven’t ever felt that way… just wait! There’s no doubt that life can be really hard and really painful sometimes. And in those difficult times, it can be hard to remember God’s plan for our lives will still win out. 

In my own life, I’ve wrestled with intense depression and anxiety that have sometimes left me struggling to even have the desire to wake up in the morning. But even when my mind is in a dark place and I can hardly get my body to kick into gear, I’m so grateful that I can turn to the Bible for reminders of God’s promises and His strength that can pull me through!

Encourage Yourself in the Lord Meaning

Are you experiencing tough times in your own life right now? 

To encourage yourself in Lord means to find your strength, hope, and daily encouragement through your relationship with God, especially during difficult or challenging times.

This can look like focusing on prayer and Christian meditation, spending time in community with other Christians, worshipping God and reading the Bible to grow spiritually.

All throughout the Holy Bible, God has left little love letters just for YOU (yes, for real!). They are reminders that He is with you, that He cares about you, and that He has placed you where you are right now in your life for a reason.

You just have to tune out the noise of the rest of the world and listen for God’s voice. By focusing on, memorizing and reciting the promises of His Word, you can find all of the encouragement you need to keep going. 

encouragement quotes for women

27 Scripture Quotes to Encourage Yourself in the Lord

If you need some encourage yourself in the Lord quotes, the Bible is chock full of them! So I thought today I would share 27 of my personal favorite verses from the Bible that will help you learn how to encourage yourself int he Lord.

Try to read each one of these and think of them as a love letter from God to you! After all, He loves you and wants the best for you. All of these promises are proof. 

1. Isaiah 41:10

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (NIV)

This verse from God’s Word reminds us that there is nothing that happens to us that is outside of the realm of God’s control. We can always turn to Him for strength and help when we need it. 

2. Psalm 23:4
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (KJV)

God has not promised us that we won’t face dark or difficult times, in fact – we can expect it! But He will comfort and guide us when we ask. 

3. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (NIV)

Want to give up? Feeling like you’ve run out of strength? The power of God is enough to refresh and restore you! The troubles of this world may get us down, but the purposes of God are always greater. 

Woman kneeling at a bed praying

4. Psalm 37:4

“Take delight in the Lord,
 and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (NIV)

The Lord knows what we want and the things we have need of. When we pursue a relationship with Him and seek Him first, everything else will come!

5. Psalm 27:1

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom should I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
whom should I dread?” (CSB)

When you know God, you have access to His protection and His peace! When your life and your hope are rooted in Him, you have nothing to fear. 

6. Ephesians 4:29

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (NIV)

This Bible verse is such a great reminder that we have a responsibility to God to glorify Him with what we do AND what we say. 

Ephesians 4:29 bible verse

7. 1 Peter 5:10

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” (NIV)

If you are experiencing suffering or walking through a dark time, know that restoration is possible! Even in your suffering, God can do a great work of healing at any time. Trust in Him. 

8. Psalm 46:1

“God is our refuge and strength,
 an ever-present help in trouble.” (NIV)

People and things will always let you down, but God never will! He is always present, always available, always proving Himself strong in our lives. 

9. Ephesians 6:12

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (NIV)

​There is real, spiritual warfare happening over your life right now, and in your family and your world! That’s why we need God’s protection and wisdom to help us fight the battles we cannot win on our own. 

10. Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (NIV)

The God who made you is also the God who knows what’s best for you! When things in your life don’t make sense, trust that it is all part of His plan and He’s got it under control. 

Woman with green nails holding a book that says Hope

11. Romans 15:13

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” ESV

Every bit of hope that you will EVER need can be found in the Lord. His joy and peace will last longer than anything else that this world can offer to you. 

12. Proverbs 18:10

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” (NKJV)

Oh, what a powerful name our God has! All of creation recognizes and must bow to Him. That is why He is our safe place in the storms of life. Turn to God FIRST!

13. Isaiah 26:3

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” (NKJV)

Where is your mind at today? What are you focusing on? When you keep your eyes on the Lord, who He is and what He is doing, you will have peace that allows you to encourage yourself in the Lord. 

14. 1 Peter 2:12

“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (NIV)

How you live your life matters so much! On the days when you feel worn out and weary, remember that the light of Jesus is still shining through you!

15. Psalm 46:1

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (KJV)

Have something big and scary ahead of you on the horizon? Stop worrying and fretting and call out to God! Ask Him for the strength and help you need and He will do it. 

Encourage yourself in the lord verse

16. Psalm 9:9

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” (NIV)

All throughout the Bible we consistently hear about God as a place of refuge. This means He is a safe place to hide, to finally get honest, and to take the time to encourage yourself in the Lord. 

17. John 15:13

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (ESV)

Jesus laid down His entire life for you! God gave His son as a sacrifice! That means you are a friend of God and no matter how you feel, you are not alone. 

18. Hebrews 12:2

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (NIV)

​The Son of God endured so much so that we can live and walk in freedom! It was all a joy for Him because of how much He loves us.

19. James 1:2-3

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (NIV)

Of course none of us want to go through trials or hard times, but the Bible tells us that God uses these hard times to make us more like Him. God help us to consider it a joy when we walk through a refining experience!

20. Lamentations 3:22-23

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (ESV)

Every day is a brand new start in our walk with Jesus! Hold your head high, look to Him for help, and recite out loud all the ways that He has blessed you!

Lamentations 3:22-23

21. Ephesians 6:17

“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (NIV)

God knew that we would need the armor and protection of His Word for the things we would face in this world. When you know God and you hide scripture in your heart, you have EVERYTHING you need to fight the battle!

22. Psalm 31:16

“Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.” (NIV)

People will let us down and things will let us down. But God is different. He is always there and His love for us is never failing!

23. Psalm 62:1-2

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” (NIV)

​When you’re weary and you want to give up, encourage yourself in the Lord by making time for prayer and reading His Word. When you’re filled with Him, the storms of life don’t have the power to knock you down. 

How do you encourage yourself in the lord

24. Ephesians 4:29

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (ESV)

Our words make a difference, and what you say helps to determine who you are! Our lives are shaped by our words, so remember to keep yours aligned with the truth of Jesus. 

25. Psalm 90:17

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.” (NIV)

​Your work matters to God, no matter how small! Even in your daily routine, try to think of everything you do as a way that you can offer something back to HIm.

26. 1 Corinthians 12:5-6

“There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” (NIV)

God has given you a spiritual gift and He will use us all in different ways. You are uniquely purposed for whatever God has created you to do. That’s exciting and worth celebrating. Your life has purpose!

27. Psalm 118:15

“Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!” (NIV)

What mighty things has God done in your life? How has He been faithful to you? This about these things when you need to encourage yourself in the Lord!

Conclusion

Each of these Bible verses are a great way to encourage yourself with quotes and verses when you need it. Whether you’re having a hard day, hard month or a tough year, whether you’re walking through sickness or are in good health, please know that God cares about you!

He created you for a unique purpose and has something special that He wants to do through our daily lives. So on the tough days or on the days where you feel like no one cares, I encourage you to write down a few of these verses.

Tape them up on your mirror or in your car where you will see them. You can also memorize a few of the shorter ones and take them with you in your heart wherever you go! 

I pray that you will be encouraged by each of these quotes from God’s Word and that you will make encouraging yourself in the Lord part of your next daily habit everyday!

Which of these verses are your favorites? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below! 

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