Scriptures that Comfort, Encourage and Sustain

I’ve had quite the life: from my childhood to early 20’s, all the way to now into my early 40’s. Like you I’ve had numerous ups and downs, highs and lows, mountains and valleys, ebbs, and flows. I know what it’s like to share life with my wife and kids in good and bad, richer or poorer, and in sickness and health.

I also know the sudden sting of losing a job in the church. I’ve been there. I’ve felt the hurt, pain, bitterness and anger. I know what it’s like to ask God, “Why?” And because of this tremendous community, I know I’m not the only one. So, let me share with you Scriptures that I’ve had to hold onto in the tough times (whether it be losing a job, burnout, grief, or just a hard season of life). May they comfort, encourage, strengthen, sustain and guide you, as they have me for many years.

• A Call to Persevere: And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
  Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. – Hebrews 10:19-25
• So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised. – Hebrews 10:35-36

• Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
  So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. – Ephesians 4: 21-27

• Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. – James 1:2-5
• God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
  So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us His true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession. – James 1:12-18

• When I sin and need to confess:
  Have mercy on me, O God,
  because of Your unfailing love.
  Because of Your great compassion,
  blot out the stain of my sins.
  Wash me clean from my guilt.
  Purify me from my sin.
  For I recognize my rebellion;
  it haunts me day and night.
  Against You, and You alone, have I sinned;
  I have done what is evil in Your sight.
  You will be proved right in what you say,
  and Your judgment against me is just.
  For I was born a sinner—
  yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
  But You desire honesty from the womb,
  teaching me wisdom even there.
  Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
  wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
  Oh, give me back my joy again;
  You have broken me—
  now let me rejoice.
  Don’t keep looking at my sins.
  Remove the stain of my guilt.
  Create in me a clean heart, O God.
  Renew a loyal spirit within me.
  Do not banish me from Your presence,
  and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
  and make me willing to obey You.
  Then I will teach Your ways to rebels,
  and they will return to You. – Psalm 51:1-13

• But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. – Isaiah 40:31

• God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. – Hebrews 6:10

• Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21

What are passages of Scripture that you go to when you’re hurt, confused, angry, or lost and confused?