20 Bible Verses About Adversity

Charles Spurgeon once noted that if the bookends of Jesus’ ministry were marked by adversity, we should expect the same. At the beginning of his earthly ministry, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil for forty days. At the end, in the Garden of Gethsemane, he agonized over the weight of the sin-bearing before him, and sweat great drops of blood.

You and I have never faced the kind of excruciating temptation Jesus did in the wilderness or the Garden, but we can probably relate to the bookends of adversity. Our lives are littered, from beginning to end, with hardship. We often move from one trying set of circumstances to the next, longing for a season of rest and ease in between.

But Jesus told us to expect hardship. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart;I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised the next time we’re faced with hardship and question, “Why am I experiencing this adversity?” Instead, we should ask, “What does the Bible say about this adversity, and how should I respond?”

If you want to face adversity with biblical hope and endurance and overcome it as Jesus did, you need to know what the Bible says about it. Here are 20 Bible verses to consider when the next set of trying circumstances comes your way.

20 Bible Verses About Adversity

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (ESV)
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
Psalm 34:19 (ESV)
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Philippians 4:12-13 (ESV)
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
James 1:12 (ESV)
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Proverbs 17:17 (ESV)
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Revelation 21:4 ESV
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
2 Corinthians 1:4 (ESV)
Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
1 Peter 4:12-13 (ESV)
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
Philippians 4:13 (ESV)
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Psalm 23:4 (ESV)
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
John 16:33 (ESV)
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Psalm 50:15 (ESV)
And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.
Psalm 9:9 (ESV)
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
James 1:2-4 (ESV)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

A brother born for adversity

One of the most challenging aspects of adversity is its isolating nature. We often feel alone in our suffering, as if no one truly understands what we’re going through. However, there’s a beautiful reality that we often miss: Jesus knows, understands, and sympathizes with us in our suffering. He was tempted in every way like we are, and yet without sin (Heb 4:15). We don’t have to feel alone when we’re going through hard times, because Jesus has gone before us, and has overcome. He perfectly models how we’re to respond during adversity by surrendering our will to the Fathers’ (Luke 22:42).

The good news is that while a friend loves at all times, we have a brother in Jesus who was born for adversity (Prov. 17:17). He will never leave or forsake us. You are not alone, and your bookends are in his hands.

Cara

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