19 Inspiring Bible Verses About Discouragement

In this post you’ll discover the most inspiring bible verses about discouragement.

In fact:

These are the same scriptures I read when I have low confidence or am feeling disappointed and need an energy boost. I hope these verses will help lift your spirits as well.

Ready to find out what the bible says about discouragement?

Let’s get started.

What Does the Bible Say About Discouragement?

The first thing to know is that the Bible mentions discouragement. It’s a major issue for all of us, but it’s one we’re often afraid to talk about. We don’t want to “dwell on our problems,” we don’t want people to think we are weak or self-pitying, and we don’t want them to worry about us. We feel ashamed that we can’t be more positive and upbeat.

The result is that we sometimes feel alone in our discouragement when in fact many others have gone through similar difficulties. That means there is hope for us. And it means there is hope for others when they find themselves discouraged.

Deuteronomy 31:8

And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Joshua 1:9

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Psalm 31:24

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 41:10-14

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Romans 8:26

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:31

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Romans 15:13

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 12:9

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 12:1

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about* with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us

James 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 Peter 5:7

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Scriptured quoted from the King James Version Bible (KJV). Used with permission. All rights reserved.

What to Do When You Are Feeling Discouraged

If we’re honest, most of us have periods when we are discouraged. It’s easy to think of situations where it’s appropriate to be downhearted: When you suffer an illness that seems like it will never end. When you lose your job and can’t find a new one. When you’re depressed because of conflict in your family, at school or in the church.

Tempted as we might be to give up, though, there are a few things we can do to get our spirits back up. The Bible is full of passages about giving hope when life seems hopeless. Here are four examples:

1. Praise God for what’s good in your life

Even if everything else has gone wrong, God knows you and loves you. He cares about the details of your life. Tell him what’s going on and thank him for who he is and the work he has done in your life - even if it isn’t obvious to anyone else.

2. Choose to see things differently

In the book of Joshua, Joshua was discouraged by all that had happened as he led the nation into new territory after Moses' death. But God told Joshua that he shouldn’t be discouraged because God was with them (Joshua 1:5).

3. Spend time with people who share your values

We need each other because we are all imperfect. None of us is strong enough to stand alone before God, even with his love in our hearts; we need to spend time with other Christians for spiritual strength and encouragement as well as to keep on the straight path.

Now It's Your Turn

And now I want to hear from you.

Which of these bible verses was most meaningful to you?

Are there any scriptures about discouragement that I should add to this list?

Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now.