23 Bible Verses & Christian Quotes about Courage and Strength
23 Bible Verses & Christian Quotes about Courage and Strength
Have you ever found yourself in a shaky situation and you have no clue what to think or how to control your nerves? Everyone has been in a situation that requires a great amount of courage, whether it be for a presentation or a literal battlefield. Below we have compiled 23 verses from the Bible and Christian quotes about strength and courage to encourage you in times when you need it the most.
1. “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him” - 2 Chronicles 16:9
He looks desperately for you. Have you ever been lost in a store as a little kid, afraid? The truth is your mom and dad are anxiously looking for you too because they care for you.
This is how God searches for us. How badly He wants to bless you with the Spirit that provides courage. In times of trouble, he wants us to be strong enough to overcome the worst.
2. "God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7
God’s Holy Spirit is not fearful, but courageous. He is certain of the future because He knows what is to come. You are a born-again believer are a vessel where the Holy Spirit dwells. You have nothing to fear. You possess the Spirit of peace (Galatians 5:22-25).
3. "And the child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him." - Luke 2:40
This verse speaks about Jesus as a Child, God’s favour was upon Him because He has been anointed to do the greatest thing for humankind. So have courage knowing that THE anointed one laid down His life for you. God was made flesh for you and no matter what the world throws at you have an all-powerful King behind you, beside you and before you.
4. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9
When starting a new job or any new adventure, it can be daunting, In this scripture, God is addressing Joshua who will take charge of Israel and lead them into the promised land. You could also be starting a new adventure but know that you belong to God and He is with you wherever you go. Let this be your courage.
This verse was written to young adults and teenagers who were about to take the promised land without their parents. God reminds them through the prophet Joshua that He will be with them wherever they go just like when God made a way for them to escape the Egyptians. God will open a sea if it means doing His will for you, God has a purpose and nothing stands in His way.
5. "Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created." - Esther 4:14
Esther was married to the King, she was so hesitant to speak up for the Hebrew people when one of the King’s people was plotting against them, But God placed her exactly where she had to be to do His will. Like Esther, reflect on why God has placed you where you are. look to Him for guidance, see Him in your daily activities. What would glorify Him in the season you are currently in.
6. "Let God deal with your enemies." - Exodus 14:14
Vengeance belongs to God. It is not our job to get back at our enemies. God’s way is better. He helps those who have fallen return back to Him as changed new creations. Have courage, trust in Him for justice that will be served but pray more for a heart that forgives as Christ as forgiven your iniquities.
7. "For this reason, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 3:14
We have courage because we know what God is capable of doing. He does great and magnificent things. So submit your life to Him and nothing can stand in your way. Facing your fears is a big thing. But you have nothing to fear because it is all in his hands.
8. “I am sending you out like sheep among the wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” - Matthew 10:16
To be shrewd is to be discerning and wise. Identifying who the enemy is, is an important part of fighting a battle.
God reveals to us in His word who we ought to watch out for and the Bible is very descriptive as to how we can identify those who are up to no good.
So we can have courage in the fact that God has given us the tools we need to defend ourselves and to overcome the enemy.
9. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” - Philippians 4:13
God strengthens us when we do His will. We all have desires but this verse does not mean God gives you the strength to follow your dreams. He gives you the strength to do His will. A true follower of Jesus Christ seeks His will first and foremost and forsakes all other plans.
This fact is expressed in Luke 9:23 when Jesus call us to deny ourselves and pick up our cross. The cross is a symbol of sacrifice, sacrificing our desires is a small price to pay in contrast with what He has done for us.
10. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” - Isaiah 41:10
God acts on behalf of His people. He does not act because we are wise or mighty but He acts because He loves and cares for us. In this very Chapter, Isaiah 41 speaks about the “Redeemer is the Holy One”, to the Israelites it is a promise that there will be one day someone who comes to redeem them.
Prophecy has been proven to be accurate in the fulfilment of Jesus Christ, in His coming, in His death and resurrection. He brings true and permanent redemption.
“not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be propitiation for our sins” - John 4:10
11. "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33 (NIV)
Prior to His ascension to heaven, Jesus tried to prepare His disciples for the hardships that lay ahead. Peace can only be found in Christ in a world that has fallen. As disciples, we can't rely on ourselves to endure hardships, trials and persecutions. We need to count on Jesus and all He has taught us while He was here on Earth.
12. “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26
In Matthew 19 Jesus addresses a rich man, He asks Him to follow Him but He has to give up all his possessions but the man walked away sorrowfully because he had many possessions. Jesus then tells His disciples that it is difficult for a rich person to enter the Kingdom, the disciples respond and say “Who then can be saved?”.
His answer is that it seems impossible to man but with God all things are possible.
We all have loved ones we are praying for that are down the wrong path, who do not know Jesus Christ. But with God all things are possible. This statement is one of courage but it is also one of command and duty. You as a follower of Christ has the duty to make known the things of God to those who do not know.
Regardless of what it might cost your reputation, your duty as a Christian to the lost and to God is clear. (Matthew 28:18-20)
13. Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” - Nehemiah 8:10
For a very long time the people of Israel were scattered and in exile, Ezra and Nehemiah were God’s instruments to re-establish the city of Jerusalem, To fix the wall and temple. They also gathered the law to share it with those who would return. It has been years since the people has the opportunity to live in communion with God, it was a very emotional time and experience for them.
They knew what it was like to have joy in the Lord as your strength, in suffering, you have no choice. It teaches you that the only hope you and I have in this world is for it to be made new and there is only one person who can do that. It’s very Creator.
God has brought you out of suffering and into newness, so have courage that all things will eventually be fixed, trust in His timing.
Christian Quotes about Courage and Strength
1. “When God’s warriors go down on their knees, the battle is not over. It has just begun.” - Unknown
When you kneel down to pray there are greater forces in control. Submitting your worries and pain to God is powerful and that is something that truly matters in any war. Have courage, God always answers prayers. He hears you and me, He counts your tears.
2. “God is enough. If I have Him, I have all I need.” - Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Without God, this whole world would crumble. He holds all things together from gravity to the stars in the sky. He manages it all. He is the Creator of everything. He is the provider. He will give you everything you need. He takes care of those who are His.
He is a provider in providing you with a home, clothes, food, water, air to breathe and purpose. He went as far as providing His own Son as a sacrifice to free you from condemnation. (Romans 8:1)
3. “Look forward with hope. Not backwards with regret.” - Unknown
It is so easy to remember or look back at the person you were before Christ, some of us might even use that excuse to disqualify ourselves from the calling God has given us because we feel too undeserving.
But the truth is that Jesus has given you a new nature, a new identity and you should walk in it with courage and understanding that you are made new and you might just be a person that inspires others to follow Him through courage and confidence knowing who you are in Jesus Christ.
4. “God is the reason why even in pain, I smile; in confusion, I understand, in betrayal, I trust; and in fear, I continue to fight.” - Bella Swan
Like Bella Swan, we need to quickly realise who is in control. I am reminded of a specific character in scripture that’s life would be summarised in this very quote. The Character is Job. Everything was taken away from him,
The enemy tried his very best to push Job towards darkness, he wanted Job to give up on God, But Job persisted and was blessed greatly because of his endurance. God remains in control. It is important to trust God, he has the fuller scope of your life and purpose even though you cannot see it in the present moment. Put your faith in Jesus.
5. “David didn’t need to know Goliath’s strength because he already knew God’s.” - Unknown
When we put our full trust in God, He shows up and He shows up in all His glory. God is sovereign, meaning He is in control. He is so much in control that a little pebble takes down a giant. If we allow God to work in our lives, to lead us, to give us courage like He did David, we will see mountains move.
6. “Don’t go back to something God has already rescued you from.” - Unknown
Turning away from the Old Self can be so difficult (Colossians 3) because we lived so long in darkness we tend to go back to what we are used to, what we are comfortable with. Although our heart desires and nature tends to fail us regularly, one thing stays constant.
Christ died so you can be free. You have a new identity and purpose and there is no need for you to return to something that will hinder you. So have courage, You are strong because He is strong.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” - James 4:7 (NIV)
7. “I have a great need for Christ I have a great Christ for my need.” - Charles Spurgeon
Every morning we wake up knowing the troubles we have to face. They might seem so BIG and overwhelming that we tend to allow them to defeat us. We cannot rely on our own understanding of anything, we are flawed. But there is a perfect and powerful God who overcame the world, so there is not one GREAT need that He cannot fulfil.
8. “If you have forsaken the world to follow Jesus, you have given up dirt for diamonds.” - Steve Lawson
No matter how much you have lost, take courage and know that it was worth it because you are now richer than billionaires. Material wealth only lasts for this lifetime. You have citizenship in eternity and no matter what happens that can never be taken away from you.
9. “Christian courage is the willingness to say and do the right thing regardless of the earthly cost because God promises to help you and save you on account of Christ” - John Piper
Spreading the Gospel of Jesus takes true courage, calling someone out on something they have done takes courage. Love takes courage. Everything we do for the Kingdom of God ultimately takes great courage. It costs us almost everything we have. We have to sacrifice desires, put away dreams. It takes courage to let go of who you were and to take upon a new identity that some or most would get irritated with.
Painting a pretty picture is not necessary. Being a follower of Jesus is hard. But in the end, He always wins.
10. “I will not waste my life! I will finish my course and finish it well. I will display the Gospel of the grace of God in all I do. I will run my race to the end.” - John Piper
This is a declaration for those who need courage. When saying this, you are making a pledge to have courage, to not give up even when it gets tough. Being an ambassador for Christ. showing grace, forgiveness and love to others.
No matter how tired we become, how much people hurt us, how many times we get knocked down.,We stand back up and run the race for Jesus.
This is at the very core of who we are. Jesus makes us who we are and we need to do the best we can to represent Him and what He has done for this world.
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