Readers from around the world respond to the question: “What words from scripture have brought you comfort in a difficult time?”
"Nothing is permitted unless some good may come of it." (Secrets of Heaven 6489)
"The Lord is in control of everything. If I give over control to Him and allow myself to be carried along in the stream of Providence, I will see how the Lord is providing for me and my happiness."
–USA
"So long as a person is in the world, he is in the middle between heaven and hell." (Doctrine of Life 19)
"When I’m anxious, this teaching helps me to sort out my thoughts and emotions. On reflection it sometimes is very obvious which thoughts are not from heaven, and this helps me to recognize and reject the lies and distortions of the hells."
–USA
"Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness." (Psalm 37: 3)
"This verse has helped me see a way forward when it has been hard to move on from grief and loss. The first part is to trust that the Lord will be with you through your loss. The practical advice to “do good” is especially healing—when I engage in an activity which helps others it helps me realize that I still have a use to perform, and it definitely feeds my soul."
–South Africa
"God is unceasingly present." (True Christianity 743)
"The Lord is always with me, in dark times and in happy ones."
–USA
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)
"How close the Lord is to us, really powerful in times of self-doubt and inner turmoil."
–USA
"....Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and staff, they comfort me." (The 23rd Psalm)
"Some of the most comforting words of peace and promise at the time of separation from a loved one."
–USA
"Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm. He said: Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?... Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?... Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the bear with its cubs...." (Job 38)
"The whole book of Job is worth reading but I especially like chapter 38 when God answers Job. It gave me a way to accept and cope with my sorrow. It made me realize that I must trust the Lord?s providence and not expect to understand or have an overview of everything that happens. I am not God, I must accept that He takes care of things."
–Sweden