Some days I’m glad that the Bible speaks so honestly about suffering.
When I feel burdened with struggles, it’s worth meditating on one (or all) of these verses.
Jesus: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)
The Lord wants us to give Him these burdens – He can carry them better than we can.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7, ESV)
Cast your anxieties on Jesus – He cares intimately for you and knows your needs.
And how about Psalm 31:
“I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have known the distress of my soul,
and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
my eye is wasted from grief;
my soul and my body also.” (Psalm 31:7-9)
Rejoice in the Lord’s love. He is aware of your distress and is not ignorant of your troubled heart.
Then verse 14:
But I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
And David ends the psalm:
“Love the Lord, all you his saints!
The Lord preserves the faithful
but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the Lord!” (Ps. 31:23-24)
A real prayer for fortitude.
Other passages that speak of comfort and strength include Psalm 46, 73, 130, 1 Peter 1:3-9, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (“boasting gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me”), Romans 5:3-5…
What other passages from God’s Word give you comfort and strength?