I get nervous every time my boys go out on the river. They love their kayaks and hate life jackets. But the buoyancy of their life jackets insures their heads stay above water should they be tossed into the river. God’s Word, like my boys life jackets, helps us rise above the rough rapids of life and float safely to calmer waters.
My boys kayaking on the river behind our house several years ago.
In life, the rapids can get rough and seem endless.
If we aren’t properly prepared, we can get sucked under. Especially when the tough times seem to go on and on with no end in sight.
Strap on God’s word like a life jacket and let his promises support and sustain you. Prepare by storing some key verses in your mind and heart. You might still get tossed into the tumultuous currents, but your head will stay above water as you let the hope in his Word hold you up.
But what if you’re already in over your head, gasping and sputtering, bobbing to and fro in whatever challenge threatens to pull you under? What do you do then?
Grab on to God’s truth which I’m about to throw to you like a life preserver. Slip your head and heart into these verses and rest in the buoyant hope they provide.
10 Scriptures to Keep You Afloat
I’ve selected some verses to keep you going when the water gets deep and the current strong. These passages are from the New International Version unless otherwise noted. I’ve even made you a pretty printout of these verses. I’ve selected some verses to keep you going when the water gets deep and the current strong. These passages are from the New International Version unless otherwise noted. I’ve even made you a pretty printout of these verses. To get the printout, just click the button below.
Now, on to the post…
Normally I don’t like to lift verses out of their context. Reading passages within their original context is one of the keys to properly understanding God’s truth. However, I’ve made sure all of these verses, in their original context, were used to encourage believers facing hard times.
I hope these verses give you a boost in your tough situation. Want even more encouragement? Read each passage along with its surrounding verses/chapter(s). To read the chapter in which the verse is located, click on the Scripture reference to view the verse on www.BibleGateway.com. Then use the icons on Bible Gateways’ page to see additional context. 
The icon with lines (I’ve circled it in pink in the graphic above) will open the entire chapter. The arrows in the shaded area below the passage (circled in red in the graphic below) will move you one chapter forward or back. 
10 Life Preservers
1. John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”—Jesus to his disciples the night of his arrest
2. James 1:2-4, 12
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” —James, a leader of the Jerusalem church, writing to the believers scattered among the nations due to persecution
3. Romans 5:1-5
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” —Paul, to the believers in Rome
4. Romans 8:28, 35-39
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —Paul, to the believers in Rome
5. Romans 12:12
(This whole chapter is great to read if your challenge involves other people. Paul offers counsel for living out our faith in practical, relational ways which help us overcome such difficulties.)
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
6. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”—Paul to the believers in Corinth
7. Luke 18:1-8
This is the parable of the persistent widow petitioning the ungodly judge. Jesus used this to emphasize how much more we can depend on our good God to hear and respond to our prayers. If your struggle involves an ongoing situation, allow Jesus’ words to encourage you to persist in prayer, knowing God does hear and respond in ways that are for our best.
8. Hebrews 12:1-3
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”—the author of Hebrews to a group of believers tempted to compromise their faith.
9. Ephesians 6:10-13
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”—the apostle Paul to the early believers, reminding them (and us) of the true nature of our struggle and why it is essential to draw on the power of Christ in us.
10. Philippians 4:13
In one of my favorite book series, The Mitford Years, two of the characters always encourage each other by saying, “Remember Philippians 4:13, for Pete’s sake!” Now I say that to myself whenever I get frustrated or feel discouraged. It makes me smile and remember this essential truth:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”—the apostle Paul (New King James Version)
Encourage Each Other
If you know someone who is going through a tough time, share this article with them. You may even want to include a prayer for them in your email. Or, encourage many by posting a link to this article on your Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, or other social media.
My Prayer for You
I’m going to borrow the words of Paul in his letter to the Philippians to close in prayer for you.
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”(Philippians 1:3-6, 9-11) Amen.
Don’t Forget to Request The Printout of the 10 Scriptures
If you’d like me to instantly email you a copy of the printout with the 10 passages of Scripture referenced in this post, just click on the button below.
What are your favorite verses that encourage you to persevere through tough times? If God brings something to mind, please share it. He may be wanting to use you to minister to someone who desperately needs to read your words of encouragement! Share your thoughts or verses in the comments below!
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