Years ago, I was going through a difficult season of closed doors and spiritual warfare. Every opportunity I was excited about failed. Everything that could’ve gone wrong did. I was disappointed, hurt, and confused. Even though I knew God hadn’t abandoned me, it was hard to see any evidence of his hand upon my life when it seemed like every door I thought he’d opened was slamming shut.
On one of the especially tough days, my mom handed me a handwritten note with 12 Bible verses on it. I read those verses every day for at least a year. I cried over them, meditated on them, and took them with me wherever I went. Some days I needed to read them more than once. They provided the truth and hope my heart needed to keep persevering.
It seems like there are a lot of enemy arrows being hurled at the body of Christ right now. Many of my friends are experiencing pain and in crisis mode. The atmosphere feels heavy. Hope seems to be waning as it’s been deferred so long.
If you’re experiencing this, too, it’s not just you.
If you’re going through a tough season of closed doors, disappointments or unknowns, God sees you and he has not forgotten you. He hears your prayers, and his good plans for you have not been thwarted – regardless of any enemy schemes. The best is still yet to come!
Here are the 12 verses that helped me through a tough season in my life (and continue to help me today). I pray they will encourage you and that your hope will be renewed!
Proverbs 20:24: The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?
Proverbs 21:30: No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord.
Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 16:9: We can make plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
Proverbs 16:3: Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.
Psalm 33:4: For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does.
Psalm 32:8: The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
Psalm 34:17-19: The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
Psalm 37:4-5: Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
Hebrews 11:1: Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
Psalm 91:11-12: For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
Psalm 91:14-16: The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in times of trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
Hey! I'm Brianna and I'm a millennial. I'm also a reader, writer, God-lover, introvert, and recovering perfectionist. ☺️
I want to inspire millennials to retain their morality, hope, and faith as they transition into adulthood and full-fledged "adult."