Bible Verses About Hope to Strengthen and Encourage You

Looking for Bible verses about hope? Here are several passages from Scripture to encourage you when you’re feeling down or hopeless.

Why are you cast down, O my soul,and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation – Psalm 42:5, ESV

Suffering is part of life in this fallen world. It can come in many forms, such as a devastating loss, financial struggles, chronic pain, an unwanted diagnosis, or the unfaithfulness of a loved one, causing most people to battle hopelessness at one time or another.

The good news is that our earthly trials will not last forever. No matter what we face, or what our circumstances may look like, those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can have confidence in His love and faithfulness, and an expectant hope for a glorious future with Him that far surpasses any tribulation we may encounter in this realm.

and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.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 8:17-18, ESV

For believers, our timeframe is eternity. When we feel burdened by the struggles of this world, we can fix our hope on the glory to come, knowing that though our present burdens may feel heavy, they are preparing us for eternity and drawing us closer to God.

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.– 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, ESV

The Difference Between Biblical Hope and Worldly Hope

Worldly hope is a feeling that manifests as positive thinking, an optimistic outlook, wishful thoughts, crossed fingers, or the expression of a desired outcome such as, “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.” It is not backed up by anything concrete and may convey an element of doubt and uncertainty.

Biblical hope, on the other hand, is the certainty of a future reality based on faith in God, His character, and His trustworthiness to keep His promises. There is no doubt or uncertainty attached to it, but rather, a confident assurance that whatever He says will happen in the future will come to pass.

It is a hope that anchors you securely to the truths in God’s Word, and a rope you can hold on to when you are buffeted by the storms of life, to enable you to experience peace and joy in the present no matter what you may be going through.

Bible Verses About Hope

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.– Romans 15:4, ESV

The Bible contains many verses that remind us of the reasons for our hope and encourage us to keep pressing on during times of hardship and struggle.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials– 1 Peter 1:3-6, ESV

Hope founded on Jesus Christ, the rock of our salvation, transcends all earthly struggles. In Him, we can find peace and joy despite our external circumstances and have hope for a future that cannot be lost or spoiled.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1, ESV

Hope and faith are almost synonymous. Hope motivates us to step out in faith in obedience to God’s Word and persevere in the face of adversity. Faith is the assurance that you are placing your hope in the right place.

Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. – Romans 8:24b-25, ESV

Hope is not something that can be seen. It demonstrates trust in God and His Word and enables us to look to the future with patient expectation.

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. –Lamentations 3:21-23, ESV

No matter what our circumstances may be looking like, we can always count on God’s love, mercy, and faithfulness.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. – Romans 12:12, ESV

Our present afflictions are only temporary. They are not the end.

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. – Romans 5:3-5, ESV

We can glory amid our suffering because we know that God uses hardships to strengthen us and to develop character, patience, and endurance.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. – Psalm 42:11, ESV 

Hope does not always come naturally. It is a choice we need to make. Continually reminding ourselves that God is in control and exhorting ourselves to put our hope in him is one of the best ways to fight off discouragement, find comfort and assurance, and build up a store of emotional strength you can tap into when you feel tossed about by the storms of life.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. – Hebrews 10:23, ESV

Staying firmly rooted in God and in His Word will help strengthen and stabilize you.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1, ESV

Faith is the assurance that no matter how things are looking in the temporal world, God is in control, and He is greater than any obstacle you may be facing.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. – Psalm 62:5-7, ESV

When we focus on God instead of on our trials, He will give us the strength to stand strong and persevere during difficult circumstances.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. – Romans 15:13, ESV

Hope is a gift we receive from God, who pours it into us through the Holy Spirit.

Next Steps

The gift of new life in Jesus is available to anyone who believes in Him. If you have questions about this article on Bible verses about hope or would like to know how you can receive this gift and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please give us a call today at Spokane Valley Christian Counseling in Spokane Valley, Washington.