To be resilient means having the ability to bounce back. But what does the Bible say about resilience?
There are actually quite a few Bible verses about resilience all throughout scripture.
We need resilience when it comes to our careers, relationships, dreams, and even our faith. Resilience produces endurance. And endurance produces character.
When it comes to biblical endurance, the character it produces is that of someone who is strong in their faith in God.
God wants to teach us to turn to him during the storms of life and then get back up and continue sharing his love with others.
An important biblical lesson is that of being resilience in the face of adversity or when going through tough times.
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Bible Verses About Resilience
The Bible offers a great deal of encouragement for life’s trials and troubled times. The following Bible verses about resilience carried me through the challenging setback in my career.
Since that time, I’ve turned to these Scriptures many times of trouble in my life. Every time I feel tempted to give up, I remind myself of God’s words about resilience.
The truth is that we all face hard times and difficult situations at different points throughout our lives. But know and trusting in God’s ever-present help makes the difficult circumstances much easier to navigate through.
Isaiah 41:10
“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.” Isaiah 41:10, ESV
God’s right hand indicates his ability to act in our lives. When I feel discouraged or defeated, I remind myself that God wants to strengthen me. His righteous right hand is working for me.
Believing in the hope of the glory of God is what produces perseverance through trials of many kinds.
No matter what you are facing, God is always right there beside you and nothing can stand against Him!
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
When life doesn’t work out according to our plans, we often feel defeated. This familiar Proverb reminds us that we are not to lean on our human understanding. Instead, God invites us to trust him, and he will direct our paths.
We can find the courage to keep pressing forward by trusting in our Lord Jesus Christ and letting him guide us.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the Corinthian church to encourage them to continue to press forward.
We all face trouble and difficulties in life, but those who have received Jesus as Savior will one day overcome every trouble of this world. Let these words encourage you to continue pressing ahead.
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
I can get back up after life has knocked me down when I remember that God is with me. Instead of shrinking in defeat, knowing God is with me gives me the courage to keep moving forward.
God wants to give you strength and courage, too. Remember that he is always with you—even when you cannot feel his presence.
John 16:33
“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
I spent many years feeling surprised every time I faced troubling situations in my life. Finally, God showed me that trouble is to be expected. However, trouble is not the end of the story.
In this verse, Jesus promised tribulation in life, but he also promised that he has overcome it all. We can bounce back after losses by remembering that we find our victory in Christ. One day, he will restore every good thing that has fallen apart in your life.
God’s mighty power is unmatched and unfathomable!
Psalm 31:24
“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” Psalm 31:24
Waiting isn’t easy. God calls us to summon courage and strength as we wait for him.
Resilience often requires us to wait for God to move in his perfect timing. Instead of worrying while we wait, we are called to keep working as we trust that God is on our side.
Isaiah 40:29
“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” Isaiah 40:29
The burdens of life often wear us down; however, God promises to give power to the faint and weak.
Are you feeling worn down? Ask God to fill you with power and strength. He will answer your prayer in his perfect timing.
Let the power of the Holy Spirit guide you and comfort you during these times.
Galatians 6:9
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
I return to this verse every time I feel tempted to give up. This verse has carried me through the darkest days of my writing career, grueling seasons of parenthood, and more.
Keep pressing on toward your goal. You will reap a reward if you don’t give up.
I like to think that the quality of our faith is measured during these times of waiting. Is your faith strong enough to wait for as long as it takes?
1 Peter 5:10
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10
Suffering—whether it is emotional, physical, mental, or spiritual—is difficult. The next time you are suffering, stand on this truth: God will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you in his perfect timing.
God’s love for you is infinite. He will make you whole again.
Romans 8:18
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18
For followers of Christ, the suffering that takes place on Earth will one day pale in comparison to the glory of heaven. Do not lose heart in your struggle. Glory awaits you, and God is pleased when we endure suffering with our eyes fixed on him.
Philippians 3:14
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14
When I feel tempted to give up, I often begin by asking God if he is calling me to change directions. At times, I realize that God is leading me to change course.
However, when God calls me to keep pressing forward to fulfill his vision, I stand in the words of Philippians 3:14. I press forward according to his call.
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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.” Hebrews 12:1-2
Christ endured the cross for the joy set before him. He knew that he was paying the price for the sins of the world, and the suffering was worth the cost.
Most of us won’t be forced to die grueling deaths on crosses, but we can follow Christ’s example. We fix our eyes on the high calling of God, throw off everything that hinders us, and commit to enduring for the sake of love.
John 15:4
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:4
Abiding in Christ is staying close to him. We develop resilience by staying close to Jesus.
Do you want to learn to bounce back from life’s losses? Stay close to Jesus.
Ask him to speak to you through his Word and read it daily, spend time with other believers, worship in song, pour out your heart in prayer, and remind yourself to keep talking to him throughout your days.
1 Peter 2:20
“For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.” 1 Peter 2:20
I have never been physically wounded because of my commitment to Christ. However, I have faced heart-crushing rejection.
Regardless of the nature of the persecution we endure, God calls us to press forward. He blesses those who do not give up in the face of persecution.
Romans 12:12
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12
Hope, patience, and prayer build resilience. Instead of giving up hope in discouraging times, expect God to move in your life.
Instead of responding to trials in frustration, endure with patience. Meanwhile, keep talking to God. This is how we bounce back from even the greatest trials.
James 1:2-4
“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.” James 1:2-4
Count it all pure joy when you face trials and tribulations.
The next time you feel discouraged, remind yourself that God uses trials to make us mature and complete. These times of testing never feel good; however, the Lord uses them to mold us and help us grow.
God is using your greatest current struggle to transform you into the image of Christ.
Romans 8:28
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
God does not steal, kill, and destroy. Destruction is always the work of the enemy. However, God can take Satan’s destructive work and use it for good in your life.
Meditate on these Bible verses about resilience.
Hold onto this promise and you will find the strength to bounce back from even the most difficult times.
As for me, I took time to heal after facing my career setback. I slowed my pace, sought counsel for my hurting heart, and asked God to direct me.
After several months of healing and seeking God’s guidance, I sensed that I was to continue forward on the same path I had been walking. I didn’t give up.
A year later, as a result of God’s grace and my resilience, God opened a door I’d been praying about for over a decade. He advanced my career beyond my wildest dreams, and I was grateful I hadn’t given up.
God is working in your life, too. If you’ve been knocked down, resist the urge to give up. Draw close to him and ask for direction. If he leads you to keep pressing forward, don’t give up.
If studying the Bible better is on your list of things to do this year, be sure to visit our Bible Study Resources page where you’ll find everything you need to make Bible study a regular part of your daily routine.
Always remember that bad things happen to everyone. But our God is the God of hope and staying firm in your faith will eventually lead to the good things God has planned for your life.
Mediate on these scriptures as you put on the whole armor of God to set out and face the trials that await you.
The promises of God are real! The steadfast love of the Lord is real!
Be an example of resilience for others to model as you continue on your own journey to the Promised Land!
God Bless!
