23 Short Encouraging Bible Verses

Where is the first place you usually turn when you need encouragement? Is it your spouse, your friends, or social media? None of those are bad places in themselves, but the first place we should always turn when we need encouragement is to God. We can do this both by prayer and by reading what God says to us in the Bible. There are so many short, encouraging Bible verses that can turn around your mindset and your day!
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What is a Good Bible Verse for Encouragement?
There are so many good Bible verses for encouragement!
The Bible is filled with wisdom, history, stories, and the meaning of life itself! It is also filled with encouraging Bible verses for whatever you might be going through.
God knew when He was instructing His prophets and disciples to write the Bible that you would be reading those words over two thousand years later. He knew exactly what you need to hear today, and He also knew exactly how to say it so that you’ll listen. Isn’t that amazing!?!
In this post, we’ll be focusing on short, encouraging Bible verses that you can turn to when you’re facing hardship or life gets overwhelming,
My personal favorite go-to Bible verse for encouragement is Proverbs 3:5-6.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (KJV)
What is the Most Encouraging Bible Verse in Psalms?
Psalms might be the most encouraging book in the whole Bible! It was written by King David, and is a collection of songs and prayers from David’s years as King of Israel.
David’s rule was not an easy one. He faced insurrection, wars, plagues and the deaths of his children. Much of his sorrow is reflected in the Psalms he wrote. But what ultimately echoes the loudest from his writings is the encouragement with which God sustained him, even in his darkest hours.
Perhaps one of the most encouraging Bible verses you can find in Psalms is Psalm 27:1. That same Psalm also finishes with an encouraging promise in verse 14.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1, KJV
“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14, KJV
What is the Shortest Bible Verse?
The shortest verse in the King James Version of the Bible is John 11:5. However, in the original Greek of the New Testament, the shortest verse would have been 1 Thessalonians 5:16.
“Jesus wept.” John 11:5, KJV
“Rejoice always.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16
What are Some Happy Bible Verses?
There are so many Bible verses that bring joy and happiness to our hearts! The gospel itself is the best news that any of us will ever hear! What we think of as being happy, the Bible usually describes as joy. Joy is even better than happiness because it’s not defined by our circumstances! We can have joy in the Lord no matter what is going on in our lives.
“The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.” Psalm 118:15, KJV
“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.” Romans 15:13, KJV
“Happy is that people whose God is the Lord.” Psalm 144:15
“Then he said unto them, go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10, KJV
What are Some Bible Verses for Encouragement?
When you’re feeling discouraged, the Bible is the best place to go! No matter what you’re going through, God already knows even more about it than you do. And He has the perfect words that your heart needs to hear. Encouraging Bible verses speak above any feelings or emotions that don’t reflect God’s truth.
Short Encouraging Bible Verses
Even if you don’t have the time or opportunity to read long passages of Scripture, there are plenty of short, encouraging Bible verses you can quickly read and reflect on. You can also memorize these verses! That way you will always have short, encouraging Bible verses with you whenever you need a reminder of God’s love for you, His plans for you, and His presence with you.
“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.” Jeremiah 29:11, KJV
“And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9, KJV
“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:4, KJV
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:28, KJV
Short Encouraging Bible Verses for Hard Times
The Christian life is not a life of ease! In fact, Jesus warned his disciples – which includes us – that they would be persecuted and face hardship for following him.
The consumer Christianity culture that we often live in today has conditioned us to expect that Jesus will fix all of our problems and give us everything we want if we follow him. That’s not what Jesus himself says!
What Jesus does promise is to always be with us in our trials. He promises to strengthen us for whatever difficulties we may face, giving us His own power to endure them. Jesus promises that if we delight ourselves in the Lord, he will ultimately give us the desires of our hearts.
That doesn’t mean we’ll get that luxury yacht we’ve always dreamed of – or even that God will definitely heal our suffering loved one. Sometimes that might be the case! Other times, however, God’s plan is one that we can’t yet see or understand. God will ultimately fulfill the desires of our hearts in ways that we don’t even realize we need yet. He will also align our desires to coincide with His as we delight ourselves in Him.
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John
16:33, KJV
“Delight thyself also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4
Short Bible Verses for Comfort and Encouragement
Sometimes our hearts need comfort and encouragement that only God can give. These short, comforting Bible verses would be perfect to memorize or write on cards to place around your home. From the biggest storms of life to the small annoyances that daily distress us, comfort and encouragement is ours for the seeking in God’s Word.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27, KJV
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58, KJV
“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makes me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8, KJV
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings are eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31, KJV
Short Encouraging Bible Verses for Men
While most Bible verses are applicable for everyone, there are some that are addressed specifically to women and others that speak directly to men. Here are a few that directly speak to men’s hearts, spurring them on to victory in the fight of this life. Share them with your significant other, spouse, or son when they are feeling discouraged.
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou are also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12, KJV
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.” Psalm 119:9, KJV
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:2-3
The next time you’re feeling discouraged, overwhelmed or frustrated, turn to these short, encouraging Bible verses. Let God’s truth overcome your fears, and His words strengthen you for the race He has called you to run!
Hi, I’m Lieren! I’m a Jesus-loving girl living my childhood dream as wife to my best friend and mommy to our three children. I blog at Motherhood Beyond Survival, where I share practical advice, ideas and encouragement to help moms move from merely surviving motherhood to truly thriving in it! My favorite things include getting lost in a good book, singing in the car, spontaneous adventures, and anything chocolate. Find more from me at Motherhood Beyond Survival.